Pet oxygen masks distributed this week

Cone-shaped oxygen masks designed to fit over the face of dogs and cats will be placed on fire trucks and rescue units throughout Lynchburg starting this week.

The masks will be used to help pets that have been pulled from house fires, delivering oxygen more effectively and increasing animals’ chances for survival.

The equipment was purchased through donations from firefighters and their friends and family to memorialize Ondo, a 13-year-old Belgian malinois, that died in December because of complications following surgery.

Ondo’s handler, Capt. Ron Sanders, said his fellow firefighters thought this would be the perfect way to remember Ondo and his work in searching for survivors during disasters like Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The donations may help save another animal’s life.

“He was kind of a freak,” Sanders said of Ondo. “At 13, he went to re-certify. Twelve dogs tested, six passed and only one found all six victims. It was Ondo. He was an amazing dog, and he loved what he did.

“They wanted to do something in his honor and this is what they came up with.”

This week, each engine and medic unit in the city will have a green bag filled with a large pet oxygen mask and instructions on how to deliver the air to the distressed pet. The rescue truck, which goes to all fires, also will be equipped with a small canine mask and a feline mask.

These masks cover the pet’s entire snout, rather than firefighters having to give a pet oxygen through a tube that blows it by their face.

“If a dog is breathing, we can supplement their oxygen,” Sanders said. “If it’s not breathing, we can hook the bag to it and give them respirations.

“The faster we can get oxygen to them the best off they are. Human masks don’t fit their face.”

Dr. Amy Taunton, of Lake Forest Animal Hospital, assisted the department in getting the proper masks, Sanders said. The masks are the same as those used in oxygen therapy in animal hospitals.

Firefighters, family and friends donated the $650 it took to equip the units with the masks and bags.

“Because everybody was so nice, we only paid about $22 a piece for the masks and $10 for the bags …” Sanders said. “My hope is that if more people donate, we can get full sets for all the units.”

No city money was spent on the project. SurgiVet, the masks’ manufacturer, sold them to the fire department at a discounted rate and shipped them for free.

Local sportswear company High Peak sold the department bags to carry the masks in for $10 each, and provided free printing with “In memory of Ondo” and instructions for oxygen saturation levels for the size of pet. The firefighters sewed a Lynchburg Fire Department patch on the outside.

Sanders’ other search and rescue dog, Tomo, starred in a short instructional video for firefighters to learn how to properly use the masks.

“Hopefully, it will make for a better outcome,” Sanders said. “I know how important pets are to people. Saving them can help make the tragedy (of a house fire) a little better.”

The masks may have helped firefighters as they rescued a doberman and a papillion from a house fire in Forest in July. The larger dog was terrified but OK, but the papillion was in far worse shape and was rushed to a veterinary hospital.


Dogs are more likely to survive to be rescued. Cats often aren’t found in time because they tend to hide effectively when scared, said Dr. Joseph Harper, of Animal Emergency and Critical Care of Lynchburg. Birds and reptiles rarely are rescued — birds because their lungs are so sensitive and reptiles because of their sensitivity to temperature.

Sanders said the masks can be used for other animals as well, but are designed for dogs and cats.

Ondo and Sanders served together for 10 years. 

Sanders is a FEMA Canine Evaluator, a certified Explosive Detection Dog handler and a FEMA-certified Canine Search Specialist on Virginia Task Force One — a group of doctors, nurses, firefighters, information specialists and others who aid in the search for survivors during disasters all over the world.

Ondo was deployed to Iran in 2003 to help find survivors from an earthquake but was sent back when the pair made it to Spain before the team was called back. He searched for survivors during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In 2008, Sanders and Ondo deployed to Haiti to search for survivors in a school collapse.

The U.S. Fire Administration provides these tips to help rescuers find your pets:

• When leaving the house, keep pets in areas near the home’s entrance so firefighters can easily spot the pet.

• Practice escape routes with your pets. Keep collars and leashes ready in case you have to leave the house quickly or firefighters have to rescue your pet.

• Stick a pet alert removable sticker in the window near your door. On it, write the number of pets in the house. This saves firefighters time in locating your pets.

These removable stickers can be obtained free online at www.adt.com/pets or at www.aspca.org/about-us/free-aspca-stuff/free-pet-safety-pack.html.