Puppies in training check out ambulances, EMTs in Grand Rapids

VIDEOS/PHOTOS: Around a dozen four-legged friends visited Life EMS Ambulance in Grand Rapids Wednesday to get used to the sounds, sights and smells. During National EMS Week, Life EMS partnered with Paws With A Cause, an organization that trains future assistance dogs for people with disabilities. โ€œItโ€™s just been a great relationship and itโ€™s been effective in giving dogs a sense of what the ambulance is like,โ€ said Mark Meijer, the president of Life EMS.

The event was aimed at introducing future assistance dogs to the sights, sounds and smells of emergency vehicles. The goal is to prepare these puppies for chaotic situations they have the chance of encountering in the future. โ€œThese kinds of things could be scary to a puppy,โ€ said Megan Ouding, head foster puppy trainer at Paws With A Cause. โ€œGetting a really positive experience now can be really helpful.โ€ They explored ambulance vehicles, listened to sirens and even watched paramedics work through simulated emergency scenarios.

WOOD-TV NBC 8 Grand Rapids

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