National Expansion
BART Curriculum Gains National Approval
On March 3, 2008 the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) approved the curriculum for the Basic Animal Rescue Training (BART) Small Animal Basic Life Support as a state-sponsored course. Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) approved the course for delivery in Minnesota in 2007 and assisted the BART organization with the course approval application process. DHS approval makes the BART class a national standard course for training first responders in safe pet handling and rescue on the scene of emergencies making BART and departments it trains eligible for federal funding.
Why did BART pursue DHS approval? BART has received training requests from over 30 states and is pursuing national expansion. As an almost completely volunteer organization, BART realizes our Minnesota trainers cannot personally train all the first responders in the nation. We needed a way to standardize our course and Minnesota HSEM provided the route. BART was able to require that our course can only be taught in other states when the State Veterinary Medical Association and Board of Veterinary Medicine approve, and that the trainers have to be in the veterinary profession and certified by BART to teach our class. This will ensure that the course continues to meet our high standards, no matter where it is taught. BART plans to travel to other states to hold Train the Trainer classes and teach veterinary volunteers how to deliver the BART courses.
BART is in the process of determining the logistics to meet the demand for national expansion. If states are interested, they may contact us for further discussion. If your are interested in bringing the BART program to your state, please contact us at info@basicanimalrescuetraining.org or call 612-282-1894.
