Puckett EMS Becomes Tennessee’s First Ground Ambulance Service Trained to Transport Injured Working K-9s

Source: Puckett EMS

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Puckett EMS is proud to expand its support for Tennessee’s public safety community through specialized K-9 emergency care and transport training. The new capability makes Puckett EMS the first ground ambulance service in Tennessee prepared to provide dedicated transport for trained law enforcement K-9s and other working rescue dogs injured in the line of duty, helping ensure these valued members of the public safety team can receive timely, compassionate care when they need it most.

The Sept. 22 training was led by Stacy Prater, Regional EMS Liaison and Outreach Education K-9 Transport Program Coordinator with LIFE FORCE. Puckett EMS providers learned how to recognize signs of canine medical distress, safely handle and secure an injured working dog, provide emergency stabilization within applicable protocols, and coordinate transport with the K-9’s handler and receiving veterinary facility. These skills will help create a more coordinated path to care when a working dog is injured while serving the community.

“These K-9s are part of the public safety team, and they serve our communities right alongside their handlers,” said Joe Dunn, Vice President of Operations for Puckett EMS. “If one of them is injured, we want to be ready to help. This training gives our providers the skills to respond safely and compassionately. It is another way we can support our local first responders and care for those who protect our communities.”

The training supports the Tennessee K-9 Emergency Medical Care and Transport Act, enacted in 2026 as Public Chapter 713. Sponsored in the House by State Rep. Michele Reneau as House Bill 1694, and Senator Bo Watson as Senate Bill 2069, the law authorizes emergency medical services personnel to provide emergency stabilization and transport for canine first responders injured in the line of duty when no person requires medical attention or transport.

“When a working K-9 is hurt, its handler and the entire public safety community should know that help is available,” said State Rep. Michele Reneau. “This law was created to remove barriers and give trained EMS professionals the ability to respond when time matters most. I appreciate Puckett EMS for putting that commitment into action and helping ensure these dedicated animals can reach the care they need.”

This specialized training reflects Puckett EMS’ continued commitment to the communities it serves and to the public safety partners who work every day to protect them. By preparing providers to assist injured working K-9s, Puckett EMS is strengthening its support for law enforcement agencies, K-9 handlers and fellow first responders while helping build a safer, more coordinated response for the entire community.

About Puckett EMS

Puckett EMS, a member of the Priority Ambulance family of companies, has been a proven and trusted partner in innovative and exceptional pre-hospital care for more than 40 years. Through its dedicated and highly-trained healthcare professionals, Puckett EMS continues to lead the way in reliable emergency and non-emergency medical transportation throughout Cobb, Catoosa, Douglas, and Paulding counties in Georgia and Hamilton, Marion, and Sequatchie counties in Tennessee.

In 2011, the company received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS), making Puckett EMS only the fourth ambulance service in Georgie to achieve this distinction.

Puckett EMS joined the Priority Ambulance family in 2017, strengthening its ability to deliver the highest standards of patient care. Priority Ambulance, a subsidiary of Priority OnDemand, is a leading healthcare solutions provider dedicated to enhancing and simplifying access to healthcare services as the country’s second-largest private medical transportation company.

For more information, visit www.puckettems.com.