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Grant helps St. Johns firefighters provide lifesaving oxygen to animals hurt in fires

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A photo posted by St. Johns County Fire Rescue shows a firefighter giving a dog oxygen after the animal was found inside a burning home off of Russell Sampson Road.

Firefighters said the dog was suffering from smoke inhalation.

“He was in pretty rough shape,” Fire Rescue Capt. Bob Snell said.

Firefighters said they immediately started giving the dog oxygen

“It took a good 15 minutes. You can see, he was lying there -- not much activity. After 15 minutes, he was standing up and acting like his normal self,” said Snell.

Firefighters said every ambulance in the county has oxygen masks for pets on board, just in case they need them.

Firefighters said they got the masks after an an animal advocacy group provided them with a grant.

“We have different sizes so this is kind of the larger size and the larger size,” Snell said.

The masks can be used on cats and dogs.

“They’ve come in handy. We’ve actually used them quite a bit,” Snell said.

The family said everyone at the home was OK and the dog is recovering.