TOP STORIES >> Paws, gauze, claws

By Staff Sgt. Jacob Barreiro
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs




Molly enthusiastically, but not without trepidation, walks through the swinging door of the base clinic and impatiently waits for her turn to see the doctor. She got a little nervous about her checkup during the car ride, but her fears were quelled by the calming presence of her friend beside her. Other voices at the clinic soothed her apprehension as well, but there is restlessness in Molly, she can’t stop fidgeting, and she won’t sit down in the waiting area. The receptionist flashes a smile at her, greeting Molly cordially, and Molly rushes towards her to say hi, but there’s something stopping her from going over all the way to the desk, a harness leash strapped on her back.

Molly is a miniature dachshund, and is going to veterinary clinic on base as part of a routine check-up. The base’s veterinary clinic is responsible for treating nearly 2,500 animals a year, including eight military working dogs, each worth more than $50,000 a piece.

“Our primary mission is to care for the military working dogs,” said Army Staff Sgt. Darlene Barrios, an animal care specialist at the base clinic. “They’re considered service members. They deploy like service members to places all over the world, including the AOR and we have to give them the medical treatment true service members deserve.”

Military working dogs are given an assortment of medical treatment to ensure their health and mission readiness. Treatments include biannual full-body physicals, special teeth cleaning and blood work to check the dogs for any health impediments.

In addition to giving the dogs extensive treatment, animal care specialists also work with the Security Forces Squadron to teach their kennel masters and handlers first aid for the animals, and ensure they are certified to handle the dogs.

“There are quarterly requirements to certify they are handler-capable,” said Barrios. “We give them a lot of training on top of taking care of the dogs ourselves. That’s the big mission we’re responsible for, making sure these dogs are taken care of and their handlers know how to take care of them is important for our mission.”

While the military working dogs are the most expensive, and important aspect of the clinic’s services to the Air Force, the majority of their clientele are domestic animals, Barrios said. The clinic offers a variety of services to pet owners on base including vaccinations, blood work, surgery, x-rays, dental work and treating illnesses.

Most of the animals that walk, or get carried, through the clinic’s doors are canines, like Molly, or felines, like Meow Meow, an elder medium-haired cat brought in for a routine checkup. From the waiting room the animals are taken down the hall where they are looked at by one of the doctors of veterinary medicine on staff.

Carolyn Stewart, D.V.M, will inspect the animals and give them routine tests such as finding their heart rate and taking their temperature. Some animals are happy and cooperative, like Molly. But some animals, like Meow Meow, aren’t as cooperative during their day at the doctor’s office. Several times during his checkup, Meow Meow jumps off the table and hides behind a chair in the corner of the office.

Stewart, weighing Meow Meow on the chrome scale located on the top of the check-up table, remarks that he could probably stand to lose some weight.

“Being overweight can lead to a lot of problems like diabetes,” she said. Stewart cautions the owner to help the cat drop weight by watching its diet.

Barrios said the workers at the clinic can give good health tips to pet owners and help ensure the safety and vivacity of domestic animals. She said that every pet owner should consider getting a microchip implanted in their animal; it’s a quick and harmless operation that can lead to the recovery of lost pets.
Additionally Army Maj. Mary Sprangel, installation veterinarian, would like all customers to know there has been a change in rules for transporting pets overseas. Information about regulations can be found at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/.

“We have a great, dedicated, friendly and wonderful staff here,” she said. “We urge everyone to read on the rules for taking pets overseas, the more you know the better.”

For more information on the base veterinarian clinic or to schedule an appointment, call 987-7249.