Army medics shadow veterinarian at the Washington State Fair

But for a week this year, seven civil affairs medical specialists with the 84th Civil Affairs Battalion, had the unique opportunity to help evaluate and care for animals at the Washington State Fair.

The medics spent the week gaining experience as veterinary technicians learning to identify zoonotic (diseases transmittable between animal and humans) and infectious diseases, an additional skill set that assists the unit in its humanitarian assistance efforts.

The Washington State Fair opens its doors to local farmers every year to display their animals or they compete in various competitions in hopes of raising the value of their stock. Before they can mingle with other animals, they're given a short examination by veterinarians to ensure they are in good health.

The relationship between the battalion and the fair started last year when they assisted during the in-processing and evaluation of the animals, said Maj. Therese Kreutzberg, a veterinarian with 84th Civil Affairs Battalion. This has been a good experience and a great training opportunity for the Soldiers, she added.

"This morning the Soldiers observed the check-in of cattle, goats, horses and llamas," said Kreutzberg. "We want them to focus on recognizing a healthy animal and gain experience working with different species."

Kreutzberg conducted training with the Soldiers prior to the fair on indicators of zoonotic and infectious diseases.

"This is more of the hands on portion of the training, they're getting the opportunity to observe the animals and be a second set of eyes and ears for the veterinarians," she said.

Spc. Monica Salgado, a medic with the 84th Civil Affairs Bn. attended last year's training and recalls the difference in this rotation.

"Last year we only had one day, but this year we have more time to shadow the veterinarians and get a better idea of what they're looking for when they examine the animals," said Salgado.

As the Soldiers observed the veterinarians throughout the day they assisted in the visual inspections of the animals, looking for indicators of a possible illness.

"We are making sure the animals have been vaccinated and checked for nasal and ocular discharge and diarrhea," said Pfc. Jacob Adkins, a medic with the 84th Civil Affairs Bn."The most common diseases among the animals will be foot and mouth, ring worms, parasites and respiratory illnesses like tuberculosis,"

If any communicable diseases or infection were identified, like lice on one young goat, it was treated.

"It was cool learning treatment techniques," said Salgado. "With a very small dose of a chemical called Permethrin they were able to kill the lice and it didn't harm the animal."

Throughout the day, the medics also worked with dairy cows learning how important they are to local economies. They were given a tour of the fair's dairy operations and discussed techniques for maintaining sanitary requirements for a community creamery, a skill they may need when they deploy to under developed areas.

"Our medics are learning the importance of livestock and agriculture to communities," said Kreutzberg. "They can incorporate this training when they deploy to areas where it's a primary part of the economy."

As the only veterinarian in the battalion, Kreutzberg has a background in agriculture and remembers her days on her family's farm in Crookston, Minn.

"I grew up on a farm and we would show our animals every year at the fair," said Kreutzberg. "Being here is natural to me and allows me to impart to these Soldiers what I have learned being in this environment."

Civil affairs medics have to be versatile in their abilities. They train as veterinary technicians, preventative medicine specialists and dental assistants. Their skills are valuable when deploying to areas where they're the only healthcare professionals available

"This is only one aspect of the training they receive to be current on their additional skill sets," said Kreutzberg. "They also work as dental technicians at the Fulton Clinic and will be rotating as medical assistants at the Windor Clinic both located on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash."

Learning to apply the things they learned at the fair will benefit the medics as they provide medical support throughout the world.

"If I go overseas, I know how to identify a healthy animal and the symptoms to diagnose an illness that might affect a community's livelihood and health," said Adkins. "It's better for my team and makes me more capable of handling situations that will require this knowledge."

The 84th Civil Affairs Battalion plans to on continuing the training with the civilian veterinarians at the fair annually.