CATS may have nine lives but it is dogs who are being given the kiss of life in South Gloucestershire.

First Aid classes for canines are being launched by trainer Katie Scott-Dyer to help pet lovers and their pooches.

Katie, from Chipping Sodbury, said she came up with the idea of teaching emergency skills to dog owners after finding herself in a panic when one of her four pets became ill.

"It is unlikely but things do happen," she said. "Every now and then dogs have an illness or injury and vets cannot be around every minute.

"These courses are aimed at giving people the confidence to be able to deal with that situation."

Katie, a behaviourist who has been training dogs for more than a decade and takes in rescued animals at her home in Mead Road, said the classes were not aimed at undermining the work of veterinary clinics.

"I am not trying to turn people into vets," she said. "I am not trying to replace them – people just panic in an emergency and that is what I want to avoid.

"I think this will be a good thing for the community and for everybody, not just the professionals."

Dog owners are invited to bring their own pets along to the classes, being held at Emerson Vets in Emersons Green, to learn First Aid skills using a state-of-the-art canine CPR manikin, called CasPeR.

They will be taught CPR and life-saving skills and will receive a face barrier kit, manual and DVD.

While the course is being aimed at people who work with dogs, including kennel staff and dog breeders, pet owners are also invited to learn First Aid skills when the classes launch on Friday, April 17 (3pm).

The course can be tailored to teach dog owners with learning difficulties or disabilities, pregnant owners or different pets including cats. See www.verypets.co.uk for more information.