People aren't the only ones who are put under anesthesia at Heartland Regional Medical Center, and PETA has taken notice.
The animal-rights organization recently contacted Heartland by e-mail, then through a letter, asking that it stop using live cats in its pediatric advanced life support, or PALS, course. Heartland uses cats rather than mannequins in training because cats' airways and the challenges to intubate their vocal chords are almost identical to those in an infant.
"There have been times the validity of the program has been called into question, but I can tell you both from a mother's and a nurse's perspective how important it is," said Heartland nurse Mary Kieffer.
Her now 16-year-old son, Ryne, was treated in an emergency room at 4 months of age by medical staff who had recently been PALS trained. Because they were able to revive him after rotavirus caused breathing difficulty, he came through the illness without repercussions, she said.
Today, Ryne's story is one that Sharon Smith, Heartland emergency department associate team leader and director of the PALS program, sometimes tells during PALS courses.
"With a mom on the back of your shoulder saying 'Can you save my baby?' you don't want that to be the first time" a medical professional attempts to intubate a very small airway, Ms. Smith said. "We have folks that come from a four-state area and beyond because they want that live airway training."
Because PETA requested PALS stop using cats before its June course, Heartland thought the organization might send protesters Wednesday, when the course took place, said marketing and communications coordinator Marcy George. No protesters came, but even if they had, Heartland has no plans to discontinue a practice it sees as beneficial all around - not only for PALS students and the pediatric patients they may serve, but also for the cats.
"People who have also been trained on mannequins always say how real it is with cats," said Gene Bradley, ambulance director for Pro-Med EMS in Falls City, Neb., and a PALS instructor who sometimes teaches at Heartland.
He added that if emergency responders don't practice on cats, "they don't get to have that experience unless they're in an emergency situation with an infant. On a mannequin, you can't see the open and shut with each breath or the cough reflex when something touches the vocal cords."
Heartland offers six PALS courses each year and uses four cats at each. The cats, which are all about a year and a half to 2 years old, come from a USDA research farm and are placed under anesthesia for about 40 minutes while students practice intubating them. St. Joseph veterinarian Ron Palmer has been the attending veterinarian at the courses since Heartland began offering them 25 years ago, administering the anesthesia and monitoring the cats' vital signs while they're under it.
Afterward, he vaccinates and spays or neuters the cats before they're adopted, often by Heartland employees. Any that aren't adopted go to an animal shelter where they're kept - never euthanized - until someone adopts them.
Wednesday, three of the four cats were spoken for even before the course's morning session was up.
"They'll all be adopted by the end of the day," Ms. Smith said. "I guess that's some of the reward I get. Forty minutes of service, and they're off to a much better life."
Erin Wisdom can be reached at ewisdom@npgco.com.
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insideout says...
I'm not a strong supporter of all PETA's initiatives and this one is definitely stretching. However, my guess is that Heartland's use of cats over mannequins is because of cost. The typical mannequin for this purpose would cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $1000-$3500. I'm sure the cats are free and I doubt the vet is making $18,000+ plus for his services. (Assuming you would need six mannequins for a session:which could be re-used.)
It's kind of funny that the top Children's hospitals in the nation can perform at the level they do with PAL mannequins but yet the mannequins are not good enough for Heartland.
I have no problems with them using cats but let's call it how it is rather than spinning the issue to the public.
Here's something to consider...where does this training occur? Do you want to be the next patient in the room that was occupied by a cat from a "research farm"?
On the upside, I am glad to see most of the cats get a good home.
June 4, 2009 at 12:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
karen says...
All I have to say on this is: "ACKKKKKKKK!"
Oh, and how many cats have died or suffered permanent damage from the procedures? If none, I actually think it's a good idea, so long as there is a licensed vet on hand in case there's a problem.
June 4, 2009 at 2:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Toughtimesfade says...
I can tell you that these cats are very well taken care of. I can tell you that these cats are a credit to the fact that I have been able to save 2 pediatric lives because of this class. I can tell you that the cat that I adopted from this class was very well taken care of, and spoiled rotten. Dr. Palmer is there with the cats the entire time checking on them throughout the lab portion of the PALS course. We are required to take this course every two years to keep up our certification and each time I have had to take the lab portion, every cat was spoken for before the first day was up. Does it have anything to do with cost, I don't know but if it weren't for these cats you would be 2 children less in your community. Ask those parents if it mattered how I learned. I do not think they care if it was on cats from a research farm or on a plastic manniquin. The class that Hearltand puts on is a top notch class and Sharon Smith and all the other instructors are the cream of the crop.
June 4, 2009 at 6:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TheWiseOne says...
Here's an excerpt from an online expose' on PETA.
"The most serious indictment of PETA is its support of terrorists and its encouragement of members to engage in acts of terrorism. Alex Pacheco, PETA Director, says, "Arson, property destruction, burglary and theft are 'acceptable crimes' when used for the animal cause." At the Animal Rights 2001 Conference Bruce Friedrich, PETA Campaign Director, had this to say to the fanatical attendees:
"If we really believe that animals have the same right to be free from pain and suffering at our hands, then, of course, we're going to be blowing things up and smashing windows. For the record, I don't do this stuff, but I advocate it. I think it's a great way to bring about animal liberation, considering the level of suffering, the atrocities:I think it would be great if all of the fast-food outlets, slaughterhouses, these laboratories and the banks who fund them exploded tomorrow. I think it's perfectly appropriate for people to take bricks and toss them through windows. Hallelujah to the people who are willing to do it."
Here are just a few of the nut cases who were "willing to do it" for PETA. PETA has given thousands of dollars to each of these terrorists: Dave Wilson, convicted of firebombing a fur cooperative; Josh Harper, who was convicted of assaulting police and firing on a fishing vessel; and Fran Trutt, convicted of attempted murder of a medical executive. According to federal tax records (see LINK below), PETA also gave $20,000 to Rodney Coronado, who was convicted of burning a research lab at Michigan State University."
You can read the entire article at the link below. Be sure to pay attention to what PETA's president - Ingrid Newkirk - a former dog catcher - says about killing animals herself.
http://www.webcommentary.com/php/Show...
June 4, 2009 at 7:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iamheartland says...
insideout, the classroom this is performed in is as far from patients as it can be. There is no chance of cross-contamination from the cats to patients. Everything is done with sterilized equipment and no harm has ever come to any of the cats over the last 26 years of this class. From what the participants have said about the class, the live intubation surpasses the most expensive mannequin out there.
If even one human life is saved due to this procedure then it is worth it.
June 4, 2009 at 8:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
les80 says...
There is no question that PETA has some extremist followers, just like any other organization. However, in this case they are concerned that the PALS training doesn't necessarily need to be done on a live cat and asking Heartland to stop that practice, which is not a request that is out of the realm of reason.
I agree w/ Karen, if the cats are fine after the procedure is done, and they get to go to good homes then all is well, but if this is a risky procedure that ends in death or injury to the cats, then it is inhumane and they have every right to voice their concern over the training. PETA gets a bad rap, and sometimes they bring that on themselves, but sometimes they are legitimately bringing up valid issues.
June 4, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suzyQ says...
"If even one human life is saved due to this procedure then it is worth it."
Sit down please, for I am in agreement with iamheartland on this one!
I would just have on question for piece of mind. Is the intubation training equipment, kept for training purposes onlu or are they re-sterilized for general human use?
June 4, 2009 at 9:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suzyQ says...
Oops I meant "peace of mind"
BCotter - LOL.
June 4, 2009 at 9:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GrannyKK says...
Suzy Q - ME TOO!
June 4, 2009 at 10:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GrannyKK says...
Oh I almost forgot. Where is PETA when some abortionist is killing babies. Hum....... cats vs. babies.
June 4, 2009 at 10:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
PrestonReuther says...
What is the REAL reason Heartland has cats? What exactly are you referring to by cat juggling? It seems you know a bit about the inside workings of Heartland so please tell us?
Big John
June 4, 2009 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tigersfan says...
Save the babies!!
"The only good cat is a dead cat."
June 4, 2009 at 11:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
captain84 says...
tigersfan: you many want to reconsider your quote above seeing how you are a tiger fan! maybe you are a jayhawk incognito.
June 4, 2009 at 11:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tigersfan says...
no, chicken hawks are far worse than a tiger.
June 4, 2009 at 11:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
localcitizen says...
GRANNYKK STATES: "Oh I almost forgot. Where is PETA when some abortionist is killing babies. Hum....... cats vs. babies"--my thoughts exactly!! I find it odd that most liberals support stem-cell research and abortion but blow gaskits when someone uses an animal for important medical research. Especially in this instance where the animals are not harmed but instead very well taken care of. I hope I speak for most mothers when I say that I feel more comfortable knowing most local medical professionals have taken Sharon's course which uses live cats. Animals need voices, but I'd rather speak for a HUMAN BABY any day. GO PALS!!!!
If PETA wants to help animals, maybe they should go pick up all the starving stray cats around the area and donate them to this program--at least the cat would end up with some good care.
June 4, 2009 at 12:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
teeter59 says...
I bet there are a lot of cat deaths. I bet that the instruments dont get sterilized all that well. I have been to Heartland. If the PAL alternatives are good enough for other hospitals they should be good enough for Heartland. Where do they get these cats? Is there a guy going around neighborhoods say here kitty kitty? I think it is awful and it was hard to watch. Save a human life by taking a cat life, sure but if you can do it with a doll instead, then do so. As usual ....KQTV was right there behind Heartland spinning the story. Where is the Oreilly factor when you need a no spin zone....
June 4, 2009 at 12:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iamheartland says...
teeter, did you even read the article? Ignorance is not bliss no matter what you have heard.
BTW, only the unadopted cats get juggled at Heartland. :)
June 4, 2009 at 12:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sjmom says...
teeter59. I have taken the course. No cats have been injured or died during this class. The equipment used is ONLY for training. Never would it be used for patient care. Using the mannequins isn't the same as the cats. I had hoped to never have to use the information I have learned through this course, but that was just wishful thinking.
June 4, 2009 at 1:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suzyQ says...
sjmom, so the instruments used are not re-sterilized and put back in with the general use equipment, they are kept just for kitty intubations only? And are they sterilized with other patient care equipment or by itself? iamheartland may be able to find out on this too?
I have no real problem with the program, like iam said, if a life has been saved...and the kitties get adopted.
June 4, 2009 at 1:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
First of all, I don't even know why Heartland wastes its time responding to nutcases like PETA.
Second, doesn't anyone else find it interesting that these whackos think it's OK to assault people, shoot at people, hurt people, and even advocated possibly killing people, damaging private property....all sorts of illegal, violent activities...all in the name of protecting ANIMALS??!!!
June 4, 2009 at 2:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wrenchturner says...
What do we practice on next? I am pro choice, where is the cats choice? I've had a tube down my throat before and afterwards it hurts. Ms. Smith said the cats are under 40 minutes, how many tubes are being stuck down their throats in that time? Ms.Smith you say the cats go to good homes. How do you know, do you check on them? Because you work with someone does not mean they are good people.
June 4, 2009 at 2:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suzyQ says...
wrenchturner...can you imagine how you would have felt if they intubated you without practicing on cats first?
June 4, 2009 at 2:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grandmasunshine says...
suzyQ
I have taken this class, all instruments are used soley in airway lab, most are disposable. Any reusable instruments are cleaned separately from anything else.
June 4, 2009 at 2:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalearch says...
By les80: "There is no question that PETA has some extremist followers"
I wouldn't call the president and/or directors of PETA "followers".
They're the leaders that set the agenda.
June 4, 2009 at 3:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iamheartland says...
suzy, nothing is reused from this class. The intubation kits are simply taken from the kits provided throughout the hospital. I believe the kits are ordered bulk and individually packaged so there is no possibility of cross-contamination.
wrench, I assume you go down to the pound and adopt every cat and kitten and make sure they go to perfect homes? No? Why not? These cats are treated extremely humanely and are adopted by the people who take the class including people from all over a five state area who come in specifically to take this course. It's not just Heartland people taking this class. The clinical experience attained by live intubation is helping save lives all over the country.
As a parent, if I had a CHOICE I would choose for the paramedic working on my sick baby to have real-world experience doing what he/she needed to do to save their life. I would hate to have my baby die because your CHOICE prevented the EMT or paramedic from receiving the training they needed because you wanted to save a cat from feeling discomfort.
June 4, 2009 at 3:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wrenchturner says...
I bet I would have felt the same, and I haven't heard, but I don't think they practice on cats here. Why don't you volunteer? Find out how many tubes they put down their throats and you have the same done and you can tell me how you feel about it.
June 4, 2009 at 3:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mj87 says...
Cats, like humans, can feel pain. Would you want to be put under for 40 minutes and have numerous tubes slid down your throat? Would you want your child to be practiced on in the same way that these cats are practiced on? What if other children could be helped from it? I highly doubt that would be allowed. Well, some adults may allow themselves to be used...but would they do it without compensation? Very unlikely. These cats are put through this involuntarily. That doesn't really sound fair when you think of it in human terms, does it? Sure, humans are further above in the food chain, but cats hurt exactly the same way. If you step on a cats tail, it cries.
I know that babies need to be helped and the use of animals has saved thousands and thousands of lives...But if there is another way, why not use it? Just like the video said, since Heartland has been doing it for 25 years...it seems a little outdated. Surely, in 25 years, a better way has surfaced.
At least the cats are getting homes. I'd hate to think about their lives on a "research farm."
June 4, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dmyounger says...
Let it be known that I love my cat and dogs and care for them better than some children are cared for. However, I would let Heartland use any of my pets anytime for this purpose. Having worked in a veterinary clinic, these animals are not injured in any way. If this training saves one baby's life, it is a worthwhile class. As for the contamination issue, there are more serious contamination issues you should be concerned about already within the hospital.
June 4, 2009 at 3:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wrenchturner says...
As a parent myself, my children have at one time or the other have needed hospital care. At the time I'm not wondering what animal they practiced on. Boy I sure hope they practiced on a cat. I think there are other ways to learn, I'm also in the medical field and we didn't practice on cats. It all depends on the person and if they are in the right field. And I'm not a really big animal lover, I just dont abuse them.
June 4, 2009 at 3:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suzyQ says...
For whats its worth wrenchturner, I have volunteered for medical study programs. You are not going to get me there! I hope that by doing so, I have contributed somewhat to help someone else feel better. Besides, I watched my own parent being intubated emergently, I am so glad that the medical profressional had the skill to do so. And if it were ever to be my child, I wouldnt think twice if a kitty got a good sleep for 40 min for their expertise. No way. These kitties are taken from research labs and given to homes afterwards, at least they have upgraded tremendously for their service.
You know for all of those crying inhumane treatment, this is what the do when they put the cats under for spaying and neutering. None of you dont seem to be crying that their ability to reproduce is being taken away, or the procedure itself being painful??????????????????
My goodness, its not like there arent training hospitals around, these folks have got to learn their skill. What about all the patients at the training hospitals being "practiced" on? It has to begin somewhere people. They arent killing the cats for pete sakes!!!!!!!!!!
June 4, 2009 at 3:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suzyQ says...
out of curiosty wrecnchturner...do you intubate people, children?
June 4, 2009 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iamheartland says...
Uh... cats are not humans... you realize this right? The life of a human is not equal to the life of a cat. The cats are chosen because they most closely resemble a babies mouth and throat. It's called pediatric advanced life support for a reason.
I believe all animals are worthy of compassionate care and loving support. I love animals in general. I really love these cats because their small, painless, medically managed "sacrifice" is directly responsible for saving human babies. They are rewarded for this by being adopted by people who will love them and care for them. Some of those people have commented on this page.
Do you really believe a veterinarian would stand there and allow Heartland to victimize these cats? This has been going on for 26 years here and around the country. This is not a new practice. People continue to come to Heartland to receive this training because they admit that there is no substitute for the real thing. Mannequins do not react the same as live animals or people. Listen to those in the article and on these comments who are making these statements. This class saves lives.
I choose not to listen to the PETA spokeperson who could not even be bothered to show up to defend their "outrage" over this class. Calling in their response is pretty apathetic to the cause.
June 4, 2009 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wrenchturner says...
No Suzyq, I don't and the animal only gets spayed or neutered once. They do this because people adopt them get tired of them and throw them away and then we have animals running everywhere. I know this practice can help a lot of people to learn, but like I asked before how many students are practicing on each cat and how many times a week on the same cat. I have seen crazier things happen, someone coming out of a church and kick a animal. We both have good points here, I'm not arguing with you, I think there could be a better way to learn, the things our scientist can do. If anyone would look into it, you never know what they can come up with.
June 4, 2009 at 4:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
iamheartland says...
apple, Heartland sponsors, teaches or provides staff and amenities to many different classes, clinical studies, training seminars, etc. for the community and the region. The PALS class has been provided for 26 years. Trauma Services holds a Trauma Trends seminar every year that is attended by people around the nation. Our Vascular Surgery Suite is visited by hospitals from around the world as a show-site by Philips. I know I sound like a brochure, but these are simply facts that I don't believe people in this town realize.
June 4, 2009 at 5 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suzyQ says...
I could have misunderstood, but it was my understanding that it is a onetime 40ish minutes out while they intubate and then the kitty gets adopted, not the same kitties the next time around.
If there is a better way to learn I am all for that too!! :)
June 4, 2009 at 5:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
insideout says...
iamheartland - I'm not opposed to training on cats but once again I do not feel as though Heartland has not been very truthful in their reasoning for using cats. They're smart enough to realize that the opposition's argument is greatly limited once they bring up that this practice saves lives:.what they neglect to say is so does training with mannequins. Regardless, of how many times anyone has had to use their PALS training they can not say it was successful because it occur with a cat rather than a mannequin. It was successful because they were trained!
As I stated earlier I do not support PETA plus I am not a cat fan. But this is not about either of those things it's about doing the right thing when a practical alternative is available. Fortunately, I have resources that others may not and I have done some asking today. Of those individuals, nearly all of them have 15+ years of experience, working in what is considered one of the top Pediatric Hospitals in the country. All of them are either currently PALS certified or have been certified at one point in their career. Several of these individuals are in positions where they have to intubate peds regularly. A few of the individuals recalled training on cats but those experiences were over 20 yrs ago. Did I mention one of the people questioned has been a pediatric nurse for over 30 years and was a PALS instructor for several years? Nearly all of them were surprised this method of training was still occurring given the alternative methods.
Furthermore, how many additional training sessions could be held with the re-usable mannequins? How many more people could be certified? Hopeful, no one finds one of their loved ones in need of being intubated with the nurse\provider standing there saying, "sorry, I'm not trained yet because we haven't received our shipment of cats."
In addition, if you want real world experience and it's not harmful:than go to a local daycare and ask for volunteers. Heck, better yet have them practice on their classmates, and then they will personally understand the impacts it has on the patient.
I'm not suggesting that Heartland is a terrible hospital but I would not go as far as to say that their primary interest is the community ortheir employees. Give it a few months and they will be a Cerner showcase as well but at what cost to the community? 100 jobs? My guess is their not a showcase for any supplier, that isn't providing them with a kickback in some form.
June 4, 2009 at 5:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Toughtimesfade says...
Oh come on people !!! This is not about Heartland, this is about saving the lives of children. This course is held throughout the nation and cats are used throughout the nation. This is NOT a Heartland issue. To the person who stated that their throat hurt after they were intubated what you need to realize is in adults there is a balloon at the end of the tube that is inflated that is what causes your throat to hurt it is not the actual intubation. On pediatric patients there is no balloon on the end. The tube which is smaller around than a normal pencil is lubricated and passed through the vocal cords once by students. Yes, there may be a few students to each cat but there is NO trauma to the throat of the cat. And for all of you against this are you willing to volunteer your child/grandchild to be put under and practiced on. I am betting NOT. Get over it, these cats live a better life after this learning experience than they would have otherwise. They get to live with people who care about others not live in cages for other experiments on the research ranch. I am an EMS Professional who had to intubate my own nephew, and I thank GOD I was trained this way and by the most highly educated PALS team I have seen around this great country. So get a grip and understand this class is WONDERFUL. Next time your pediatric loved one is intubated ask the paramedic who performed it how they learned. God forbid you ever have to go through finding out. And PETA people this question goes out to you...can you look down on the cot into the face of an innocent child that has just been struck by a car, unresponsive, not breathing, mom or dad crying over your shoulder to save their son. As the tears start to roll down your own face, the hand of God touches you and changes the face of that child into the face of a cat and you realize now that you can do this because you have done it before.
June 4, 2009 at 6:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grandmasunshine says...
Amen Toughtimesfade - I have been there too!!! Bless all who go the extra mile to make sure that our community's children have such great care!!
June 4, 2009 at 7:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wrenchturner says...
My child has been intubated and when he came out of it he said his throat hurt and wanted some ice. I have been intubated more then once and when I asked why my throat hurt the doctor said because I had a tube down my throat. My ex-husband is a paramedic and he was not trained on a cat and he is very good at.
June 4, 2009 at 8:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
insideout says...
Toughtimesfade - Like I said earlier what you train on is far less important to me than whether you were trained or not. I'm thrilled that this training takes place and that it saves lives.
My point was and still is that I believe Heartland is spinning the issue to the public. Heartland is a staple of the community but as one they should display good stewardship to the community. They like to tout what a great asset they are...then act like one. Let's face it, for the most part, their image is terrible. That stems largely from how they treat their employees (current, previous, and potential), their patients, their business partners, and their competition. When caring for people becomes their priority rather than being greedy then I will hop aboard the bandwagon. Until then, I will continue to use my knowledge of the industry to educate the community on their practices in comparison to others in the industry which are much more successful and have achieved a much higher degree of respect amongst the communities they support.
June 4, 2009 at 11:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kat331420022 says...
I'm all for this class. I think that PALS is a wonderful course that has saved hundreds of lives. I actually am fortunate enough to own one of the PALS cats. We've had her since February and she is one healthy and active kitty. I know that there are a lot of skeptics out there about the use of these cats in this class, but these cats, whom to my knowledge non have died in this class, are really helpful in the re-certification of many of Heartland's finest like my mother and my sister. I think this is definitely a good thing. After each course each cat is adopted which is a lot better than them sitting in some cage at the pound for a while and meeting an unruly end. If anything PETA should be writing to the pounds, not to Heartland.
June 5, 2009 at 2:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sassyone says...
You know what people (well, some of you).....get a grip!! Heartland spinning the use of cats? Cats having sore throats? Please! There is no need for conspiracy theories or whatever else here! I am an animal lover and have two cats myself, but I SUPPORT the training on cats! As stated in the above article, mannequins do not have moving vocal cords, that is why they are not as efficient in training as cats are. I'm shocked that this has become such a big discussion. Get over yourselves! Who doesn't want what is best for any child, let alone their own? Who isn't willing to do what it takes to save a child? Would you prefer someone who has worked on intubation training with moving vocal cords or a mannequin without so that they may nick, damage or possibly paralyze your child's vocal cords? Common sense people! Quit making mountains out of mole hills and move on to more important issues.
June 5, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
missouri_mule says...
Just so you ALL know, Children's Mercy Hospital does the same damn thing! Why is it when it's got Heartland involved, you all jump on the bandwagon... UGH
June 5, 2009 at 2:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
insideout says...
Because Children's Mercy has earned the respect of it's employees, patients, and the community. When you continuously witness an organization perform "shady" business practices, then you're bound to question the motives behind the things they do. (i.e. politicians)
"The Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) course sponsored by the American Heart Association...AHA reminds the centers that it does not require or endorse the use of live animals".
http://www.zimbio.com/Animal+testing/...
But Heartland probably knows more about the issue than the creator and governing body...right?
June 5, 2009 at 7:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WhoisJohnGalt says...
I say let Heartland use all the cats they want. Cats don't have much value for anything else. As a matter of fact, I can bring over some of my neighbors' cats if they have a cat shortage. Lord knows they ain't fit to eat ...... ;)
June 5, 2009 at 10:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
go4it50 says...
They're saying that intubating unadopted cats cause no injury? This is a "training" class? So they're saying ALL TRAINING INTUBATIONS are "perfect", thus no 'injury'?
Then why even do it if the 'perfection' is already there?
One more question. What century is this?
June 5, 2009 at 10:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TheWiseOne says...
WhoisJohnGalt:
Sounds like you haven't tried "crock pot cat".
June 5, 2009 at 10:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WhoisJohnGalt says...
I await the recipe, Oh Wise One. ;)
June 6, 2009 at 10:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )