“Gus” Hiser Donates Oxygen Masks for Pets

June 27, 2007

When fire rages out of control, the first order of business is to get people out of harm’s way and to definitive medical care for the treatment of smoke inhalation if they need it.

But people aren’t the only living things caught in fires. Pets can be affected too, but most fire departments don’t have any way to provide them with the oxygen they need to recover their breathing.

Thanks to “Gus” Hiser and his fellow members of Dog Scouts of America Troop 119, pets in Texas are getting a better break.

Gus – a Standard Schnauzer who belongs to AARC 2005 President John Hiser and his wife Lucie – recently joined several other troop members in presenting special, pet-sized oxygen masks to the Euless Fire Department. The troop as a whole has donated the masks to ten other departments too, as well as to the search and rescue dogs of Texas Task Force-1.

Gus demonstrates one of the oxygen masks for the fire fighters.

“There is always a concern among responsible animal owners about their pets getting caught at home in a fire,” says John. “Pets can suffer from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning just like a human.  High levels of oxygen are the treatment of choice.”

The troop decided to donate the masks after learning about a similar program in Florida. Lucie says money for the masks came from a portion of the funds raised for a no-kill animal shelter in Dallas, and by selling note cards “painted” by the troop members.

Gus Hiser shows off his art work, which helps to raise funds for the oxygen masks and other Scout projects

John is now developing a package to be delivered along with the masks that will describe the minimum and maximum flows to use with the devices and provide information on smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning. But the masks themselves have already been put to good use.

The couple just learned a firefighter in Euless became the first to use one of the masks when he encountered a cat suffering from smoke inhalation during a house fire. After several minutes receiving 100 percent oxygen, the animal revived and was taken to a 24-hour vet, where he received further treatment and was released back to his happy family the next day.

Lucie and Gus pose with members of the Euless Fire Department following the presentation of the masks.

As for Gus, he’s enjoying his summer with the Scouts, where he also serves as a registered international therapy dog, making regular visits, along with Lucie, her partner Nancy, and Nancy’s dog Daisy, to area nursing homes and assisted living facilities to provide companionship to the residents.

As a registered international therapy dog, Gus Hiser regularly visits area nursing homes. (Stay tuned to AARC Times for more on therapy dogs and how they are making a difference in the lives of residents.)