Subscribe
GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — The U.S. Army Veterinary Corps was formally established by an Act of Congress on June 3, 1916. However, recognition of the need for veterinary expertise had been evolving since 1776 when General George Washington directed that a "regiment horse with a farrier" be raised, according to the veterinary service's Web site.
The veterinary corps continues its mission in support of Joint Task Force Guantanamo.
"Allowing [troopers] to have their pets, since they are in an isolated area, brings up their morale," said Army Capt. Stephanie Hall, the Veterinary Detachment officer in charge. "[They] are their friends and it makes people happy to have their own pets here or to be able to come into contact with them."
The Army Veterinary Service is responsible for food inspections, veterinarian programs and providing full medical care to animals, including the care of military dogs and troopers' pets.
They also care for the local wildlife by working with the San Diego Reproduction Center for Endangered Species on critical reptile species management.
The clinic offers medical, dental and surgical care. The VTF is well equipped with the following: an in-house laboratory, radiology machine, operating room, ultrasound machine and a dental unit.
"I enjoy performing surgery," Hall said. "With surgery you are able to see immediate results."
In some cases the VTF lacks certain specialized capabilities and cannot perform all tasks on island.
"If it is a bone surgery that I am not comfortable with or something I cannot do, I'll send it off island," Hall said.
Hall enjoys her job even though it can be difficult at times.
"You can become very attached to your patients because you see them a lot toward the terminal end," Hall said. "You can become emotionally attached and you have to be strong for the [owner], so they [will] do what is best for the patient."
Hall also said, "People are understanding and do not want [the animals] to feel any pain, so they understand when it comes to the point where the animal is ready."
Regardless Hall enjoys her job and ability to support the troopers.
"I am defiantly here to help the [trooper] out," said Hall, whose Veterinary Treatment Facility has 24-hour emergency services.
| Date Taken: | 05.15.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 05.19.2009 16:03 |
| Story ID: | 33822 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 165 |
| Downloads: | 157 |
This work, Taking care of pets who take care of Troopers, by SGT Michael Baltz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
