Pet first aid course on tap for Aug. 22

Published 5:30 pm Thursday, August 13, 2026

Dogs have always been a part of Andrea Scinkovec’s life.

The Mercer Island Police Department support officer grew up with dogs around the house and currently owns a Jack Russell terrier mix.

On Aug. 22, Scinkovec will teach a free pet first aid course for local residents and businesses from 8 a.m. to noon at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center.

According to the city, the interactive workshop covers essential emergency topics, including pet CPR, choking response, treating common injuries, identifying toxicities, and other vital life-saving skills for pets.

Pets are not allowed to attend the class, but Scinkovec is joined by two stuffed assistants — Smudge and Donut — that help with demos.

“I first put this together in 2022 at my previous agency and had taught a couple classes before coming to Mercer Island,” Scinkovec said. “I am a licensed veterinary technician and have previously worked in emergency veterinary hospitals. I believe, like with human first aid, animal-specific basic first aid knowledge is beneficial for people to know.”

Scinkovec added that the class focuses on identifying when something is wrong with one’s pet and relaying the information when calling the veterinary facility before the pet and its owner arrive at the clinic. The class also covers making an aid plan now and mapping out where the closest clinics are located.

The program caps out at about 20 people, therefore advance registration is required.

Previous classes were held in February and May and another one is slated for Nov. 14.

For more information and to register, visit: https://www.mercerisland.gov/police/page/pet-first-aid-class-1