U.S. Army doc helps military dog stay in the fight

Courtesy Photo | Maj. Richard Padron, of 10th Brigade Support Battalion, 1/10th Mountain Division, operates on a 10-year-old German Shepherd named Blesky at the 1/10th Mountain Troop Medical Clinic Oct 19. The dog helps Soldiers find Improvised Explosive Devices. (photo by Maj. Jerry Carbone, 464th Medical Company)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.12.2005

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

Pfc. Jason Jordan
1/10th Mountain Division PAO

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq " One Task Force Baghdad physician recently had an unusual patient on his operating table.

Maj. Richard Padron, a surgeon with 10th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, found himself peering intently into the mouth of a dog named Blesky as he worked on the canine's teeth.

Blesky is a military working dog who provides valuable assistance to the brigade as units conduct combat operations in the Abu Ghraib area of Baghdad.

Soldiers from 1st BCT, 10th Mountain Division brought the 10-year-old German Shepherd to the surgeon in hopes the doctor could help relieve their four-legged friend's pain.

Blesky had been whimpering for a while and medics eventually narrowed the problem down to the dog's mouth.

"Blesky had already received a previous root canal, but he was in need of a new filling and it was causing him problems," Padron said.

Medics usually treat between eight and 10 military working dogs per year, but this was the first operation on any animal for Padron.

"It was very interesting operating on the dog," he said. "The anatomy of their mouth is very similar to a human's " except the angle of their teeth is different, and they are longer. I used just as much care on that fellow as I would use on my patients any other time."

The dog's handler was very concerned after Blesky was administered anesthesia for the operation, and he fretted the whole time over his best friend, said Pfc. Rafael Diaz, assistant medic on the scene.

"Blesky's caretaker was very concerned to see his best friend being operating on," said Diaz. "He stayed by his side the entire time and stroked his belly until it was over. The relief on his face was very heartfelt."

The procedure went well, and Blesky is now back out on the streets of Baghdad, patrolling on missions with the 1/10th Mountain Div. Soldiers.

"It felt very rewarding being able to help out Blesky," Padron said. "Just like any one of us, we didn't want to see him in pain. We wanted to get him back on the streets again so he can continue helping his troops."

• Date Taken: 11.12.2005
• Date Posted: 11.12.2005 14:15
• Story ID: 3732
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ