Photo By Staff Sgt. Eric W. Jones | Left, Staff Sgt. Thomas Arvey, a food inspection specialist, 422nd Medical Detachment...... read more read more
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MEDFORD, N.J. - Veterinarians, animal care and nutrition specialists from the 422nd Medical Detachment (Veterinary Services) from Rockville, Md., assisted the managers of the Forgotten Angels Equine Rescue with veterinary and preventive medicine wellness to the rescue horses during the Combat Support Training Exercise 78 here in late February.
“The owners of the farm are helping out with the training of our soldiers,” said Capt. John Polk, commander of the 422nd MDVS. “Training is going very well … there’s a lot of interest in this and the training has been fruitful.”
For many soldiers, this is the first time they are around horses said Polk, a career veterinarian, who works as an Associate Veterinarian at the VCA MacArthur Animal Hospital in Washington, D.C.
“They are learning to handle the horses and handle them safely,” said Polk, a native of Henderson, Ky. “If we were to be deployed they would be able to handle the horse in the field.”
“This type of realistic training prepares veterinary units for their stability operations support role in any region of the world, now and in the future,” said Lt. Col. James Riche, a veterinarian with the 7301st Medical Training Support Battalion from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., who served as an Observer-Controller/Trainer for the CSTX 78, and currently practices and resides in Whiting, N.J.
The 7301st MTSB’s higher headquarters is the 1st Medical Training Brigade from Fort Gordon, Ga., and falls under the Medical Readiness and Training Command, Army Reserve Medical Command, San Antonio, Texas.
“Coming out here with these animals is outstanding … often we have soldiers that don’t lay a hand on an animal after they leave the training,” said Capt. Clair Lowery, a veterinarian with the 422 MDVS.
“I think this has been educational and enriching, and overall a good experience as well as morale building for the soldiers.”
The Forgotten Angels Equine Rescue, a nonprofit organization founded by Darlene Supnick in Medford, partners with friend and neighbor, Lisa Drahorad to facilitate the rescue. The more than 30 animals rescued and awaiting placement ranges from miniature ponies and donkeys to thoroughbreds, that were abused and bound for slaughter throughout their community, said Polk.
The FAER partnered with the Army Reserve to provide a realistic training experience to Army Veterinarians and Preventive Medicine Specialist during the CSTX.
“We were contacted by the Army Reserve and they explained the mission,” said Drahorad. “They asked if we would like to participate in the exercise by giving soldiers a chance to practice on the horses and any other types of animals that may be here.”
During the site survey, the [Army Reserve unit] asked about our needs and made sure this worked for everyone, said Drahorad.
Twenty-four year veterinary veteran, Jennifer Platt, with the Mobile Equine Medicine Surgery in Delran, N.J., volunteered her time on-site during the exercise. Platt stated that she was pleased to be part of this training exercise and help animals who need care.
This exercise provided Soldiers with pre-deployment realistic training and an opportunity to engage the local community.
“The benefit for me was we get to help the military,” said Supnick the owner of the FAER facility. “We help the soldiers that are going over to assist other people who have farm animals in other countries.”
More than 10 horses, three ponies and two donkeys received routine care, preventative maintenance vaccinations, de-worming and physical exams from Platt and the Army Reserve soldiers, said Supnick.
“The training is tremendous, nothing beats hands on training, large animals is part of their job, but not one that we get to do very often,” said Polk. “It is a rare opportunity and a great opportunity for my soldiers.”
| Date Taken: | 02.27.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 03.24.2014 23:01 |
| Story ID: | 122483 |
| Location: | MEDFORD, NJ, US |
| Hometown: | FORT EISENHOWER, GA, US |
| Hometown: | HENDERSON, KY, US |
| Hometown: | ROCKVILLE, MD, US |
| Web Views: | 412 |
| Downloads: | 16 |
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