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    Animal lover takes job to Iraq

    Animal lover takes job to Iraq

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Carmen Yepez | Spc. Jessica Opper, native of Cleveland, Ohio, smiles after a day at work on Jan. 3....... read more read more

    BAGHDAD, IRAQ

    01.16.2009

    Story by Sgt. Carmen Yepez 

    926th Engineer Brigade

    By Sgt. Carmen Guerrero
    926th Engineer Brigade

    BAGHDAD – As a child, a Multi-National Division Soldier had always been an animal lover. She gladly took care of cats and horses raised by her family. At a young age, she even volunteered at a local stray animal clinic alongside her mother and brother.

    While helping out at the animal clinic, Spc. Jessica Opper, native of Cleveland, Ohio, took on jobs such as feeding, bathing and making sure the animals had their exercise. These tasks ultimately helped her decide that she was going to be an animal caretaker. Little did she realize that her dream would come true, and she would be taking care of specialized search dogs on the other side of the world, thus lending her support in the fight against terrorism.

    Opper first joined the United States Army Reserves to work with the 4211th United States Army Hospital in San Diego, Calif., where she served as an animal care specialist, or commonly referred to as a veterinarian technician. After serving with the Army reserves, Opper decided to pursue a full time job with the military and re-enlisted for active duty in 2007. Her first assignment was at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. There she took part in caring for the SSD, where she became part of the 94th Engineer Detachment (Canine). The detachment is attached to the 890th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, MND-B.

    Soon after, Opper found herself in Iraq, doing her part to maintain the health of the animals whose jobs are vital to the success of the mission. The SSD are trained to locate hazards such as improvise explosive devices and weapon's caches.

    When the SSD Team goes out on missions, it is her job to take care of the animals at a moment's notice. Generally, each dog handler has their own first-aid bag with the necessary tools essential in maintaining the health of their partner. If for some reason a handler can't provide the proper aid to their dog, they alert Opper for anything that requires immediate medical attention beyond their control.

    "My job is to maintain the health of the dogs and to assist if there is a medical emergency," said Opper. "I've got a job where I play with dogs all day; I'm proud to say that I love my job! At a veterinarian clinic, you can do this all of the time. To have had the experience that I have managed to gain through this deployment is really good to have under my belt when I decide to do this type of work as a civilian veterinarian."

    An ordinary day for Opper starts by making sure that the dogs have the proper equipment needed before heading out. Checkups are a regular procedure, and if a dog needs a shot, Opper is the person to do the job. She enjoys her routine of playing with the dogs to let them relax before doing the exams. Once the dogs have left for a mission, Opper can be found helping out with supplies and dispatching vehicles for her fellow Soldiers. Her time is also occupied when she assumes full responsibility for a dog when its handler is on leave.

    "You tend to get attached to the dogs, even if you're just keeping them until their handler comes back – that can be a bummer – I love my job and being an animal lover just makes it that much better, that's why I do this!" said Opper.

    On her downtime, Opper likes to relax by taking online classes to further her education in hopes of becoming a full-time veterinarian. She has also taken an interest in learning to speak German because her grandfather is native to Germany and one day, Opper hopes to visit.

    Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Harmon, the kennel master and a native of Great Falls, Mont., said, "Spc. Opper has done a great job in taking care of our beloved dogs. They are Soldiers, too. Her knowledge and the fact that she truly enjoys her job really shows and truly contributes to our mission success."

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 01.16.2009
    Date Posted: 01.16.2009 08:20
    Story ID: 28914
    Location: BAGHDAD, IQ

    Web Views: 485
    Downloads: 438

    PUBLIC DOMAIN