HELLO, I'M DR HAYLEE, a practising veterinarian based in Victoria, Australia, with over a decade of experience caring for dogs and cats in general practice.
I started FURST Paws because of a feeling I couldn’t shake. Time and time again in the clinic, I’d meet pet owners who were devoted, caring, and would move mountains for their animals, but in an emergency, they froze. Not because they weren’t capable. Because nobody had ever taught them what to do.
That gap bothered me. So I decided to do something about it.
This course is what I wish every pet owner had access to before they ever needed it. Practical skills, honest guidance, and a calm framework you can actually remember when it matters most.
And of course, there's Barry- my yellow Labrador, Chief Barketing Officer, and the very patient demo dog featured throughout much of this course. He's been by my side since the beginning of FURST Paws, helping me turn practical first aid skills into something approachable, calm and real for everyday pet owners.
Our goal is simple: that by the end of this course, you feel genuinely prepared. Not overwhelmed, not anxious, just ready.
Why "FURST Paws?"
The name started as a play on words, but it quickly became the heart of everything this course stands for.
In an emergency, our instinct is often to panic. To react fast, spiral or freeze altogether. I've seen it countless times in clinic, and honestly, I've felt it too.
But the most important first step usually isn't rushing. It's pausing.
Taking one breath. Grounding yourself. Creating just enough calm to think clearly, and act intentionally.
Because when we pause first, we're far more capable of helping the animals who rely on us the most.
Pause. Breathe. Act. 🐾