COL Giovanni Rucco (Chief, Italian Veterinary Corps), COL Steven Greiner (Commander, PHCE), LTC Andrew Sims (Commander, PHA-Italy), CSM Gustavo Gurrola, MAJ Angelina Gerardo, 1SG David Smith, COL Luca Virgilio, LTC Sergio Carta, CPT Reno Caforio, LTC...

Public Health Command Europe and Public Health Activity-Italy leadership traveled to Rome, Italy March 28 to develop a partnership between the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps in Italy and the Italian Military Veterinary Service.

Similar to the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps, the Italian Veterinary Service was established to care for and increase operational capacity of military horses, as well as ensure sanitary meat production for consumption by Army personnel.

This role has expanded over the years to include preventive medicine through the inspection, surveillance, and prevention of zoonotic disease, as well as performance of sanitary inspections for dining facilities; animal health of Military Working Dogs and Military Horses, to include oversight of the Italian Military Working Dog breeding program, preventive care, surgical and medical care, rehabilitation, and transportation of working animals; and medical research.

With overlapping missions dedicated to insurance of Military Working Dog care, food safety/security, public health surveillance, and medical research, leaders from both parties agree opportunities are readily available for combined training and the exchange of ideas.

To continue developing this relationship, in April, Italian Veterinary Service leaders will travel to Dog Center Europe, Kaiserslautern, Germany, to tour the facility and discuss experiences in management of ailments specific to the Military Working Dog population.

Following this visit, the two organizations will develop a Memorandum of Partnership, providing a framework for the way forward.

Future collaborations will present an invaluable resource for exchange of information.

Additionally, PHA-Italy hopes to work with their Italian counterparts to provide seamless response to public health incidents in our areas of responsibility, increased resources for provision of emergent and critical care for our Military Working Dogs, and joint training opportunities.

Commitment to strengthening regional partnerships directly increases our operational capability in the region and enhances global security. The Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg states, "NATO is united, we stand together as one." Public Health Activity-Italy remains dedicated to supporting the Warfighter through partnering with our allies, reinforcing both Italian and U.S. Army Veterinary Service mission success.