
Firefighters Heath Nagel (left) and Chris Bowden with Carole Roberts and Shogi. Photos by Maureen Chodaba
They light up our lives with unconditional love. They touch our hearts and teach us valuable lessons about life itself. They are our pets and we love them dearly. Have you ever been faced with an emergency involving your beloved furry friend? Have you ever wondered what would happen to your pet if you were suddenly not there due to a health emergency of your own? The Marco Island Fire Rescue Department knows of these occurences all too well. They recently launched their Emergency Pet Care program with a presentation, sponsored by the Coastal Breeze News, at Canine Cove, the dog park at Mackle Park. The event was well attended by many distinguished four-legged guests and their human counterparts.
Highlights of the progam included demonstrations of pet CPR and the Heimlich maneuver by Firefighter/ Paramedic Heath Nagel and Fire Rescue Public Education Coordinator Chris Bowden. The real star of the show was Shogi, the dog CPR mannequin, donated to the Fire Rescue Department by Marco Islanders Steve and Carole Roberts.
Shogi was named by the Roberts in memory of their beloved Tibetan Terrier, who Carole refers to as “the shaggy child of my heart.” With loving memories of her beloved Shogi, Carole described this special breed, saying, “The Tibetan Terrier is NOT a true terrier. These shaggy dogs were known as the holy dogs of Ti bet. The breed is very

Carole Roberts addresses the crowd at the Emergency Pet Care presentation.
As Nagel and Bowden urged everyone in attendance to become certified in CPR for humans through free instruction that is offered each month at the fire station, they demonstrated the similar CPR technique for pets. The procedure begins by checking the pet for breathing and a pulse. Use your middle and index fingers to feel below the pet’s wrist or ankle, inner thigh or where the left elbow reaches the chest. You may also check for a response by touching the area near the animal’s eye where a natural reflex will

Heath Nagel teaches pet CPR with Shogi.
The Emergency Pet Care program offers many other features as well. The Fire Rescue Department has created an Emergency Pet Care card that pet owners can post on their refrigerator. The card will contain information provided by the owner, including alternate pet caregivers, the pet’s name, type and age; food location and requirements, special needs and medications, and the veterinarian’s contact information. The card will assist the fire rescue team in finding care for pets in the case of a 911 emergency when the owner is not present.
This important information about your pets can also be listed with

Firefighter Nagel demonstrates the Heimlich maneuver for pets.
Finally, the Marco Island Fire Rescue Department is initiating a Pet Foster Guardian program in emergency cases where none of the listed alternate pet caregivers are available. This is a great way for all animal lovers to participate, even if they do not have a pet of their own. To volunteer as an emergency foster guardian, please email pets@cityofmarcoisland.com.
Although he has passed, the original Shogi will not only live eternally in the hearts of Steve and Carole Roberts, he will go on to touch the lives of many pets and their owners through CPR instuction, the Roberts’ gift of love to Marco Island. He will be the perpetual guardian of the Emergency Pet Care program. May Shogi’s spark of hope and message of healing live in the hearts of the many pets and pet lovers of Marco Island for many years to come!
To learn more about the Emergency Pet Care program, register for CPR certification (for humans) and other programs of the Marco Island Fire Rescue Department, please call 239-389-5040.
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