PET FEST TO OFFER BASIC CARE TIPS.

Byline: Sandra J. Terrell Staff Writer

NEWBURY PARK - How to groom a dog, brush its teeth and even give it CPR in case of emergency are among the health and educational tips that will be offered Sunday at the Animal Hospital of Thousand Oaks' first Pet Fest.

The event, which evolved from an open house where vets offered basics about first aid or flea control, has evolved into a broader program that includes entertainment - from a tail wagging contest to a canine agility demonstration - information booths and pet training.

``We try to let people know that (these) are not crazy questions,'' said Dr. Sharon J. Bass, a veterinarian at the hospital. ``If we don't know the answer we will try to find it for them.''

Pet owners will be able to learn about pet CPR using a mannequin of a brown dog called a ``rescue critter,'' and basics such as grooming and nutrition.

Contests will include canine drill teams and ``Fly Ball,'' a dog agility and relay race.

``It's supposed to be pretty exciting,'' Bass said.

Bass said she believes it is important for pet owners to learn about CPR and first aid because it can save the life of an animal.

She recalled the efforts of one owner, who was a registered nurse, to try to save her pet in an emergency situation.

``One client owned a geriatric Pomeranian, she was an RN, and when she got home she found the dog floating in the pool,'' she explained. ``She did CPR and was able to revive the dog. She took the pet to the pet emergency in Thousand Oaks. He was kept alive, the heart was restarted.''

She added, though, that the pet, because it was an older dog, eventually died after the ordeal.

Bass said the hospital staff has been surprised at the interest and is considering continuing the event on a regular basis.

``We'd love to do this annually, if it turns out well,'' Bass said. ``All of us were really surprised that people were really interested in this.''

Pet Fest will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, at the Newbury Park High School football field, 456 N. Reino Road. Admission is free, and a donation of chunky peanut butter, baby cereal, dry kitten food or Pedialyte may be made to the Wildlife Waystation or Wildlife Care of Ventura County.

For more information call the Animal Hospital of Thousand Oaks at [phone].

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Sponsored by the Animal Hospital of Thousand Oaks, Pet Fest will include a canine agility demonstration, such as this one Rain is working through.