Fire crews from across Ontario take part in large animal rescue training in Guelph, Ont. [Video]

Firefighters from across Ontario spent their Canada Day long weekend learning how to rescue large animals during an emergency.

Firefighters from Hamilton, Milton, Lucknow, Chatsworth, Caledon, Halton Hills, West Elgin, and Ramara attended the two-and-a-half day training program hosted by Equine Guelph at the University of Guelph.

“We focus on education programs for horse owners and those involved with the horse industry,” Communications and Program Officer for Equine Guelph Susan Raymond explained. “We have a large animal emergency rescue program and that focuses on welfare and well-being of both animals who are involved in an incident, but we also focus on the safety of those that are trying to rescue it.”

The training involved a wide variety of simulations involving real animals, smoke, and other props.

“We’re fortunate that University of Guelph has a teaching herd that we’re using for today, but we also have mannequins. If practice for an incident is not safe to use an …