TACOMA, WA-In years past, it was common practice for military working dogs (MWD) to benefit from medical treatment using equipment at Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC) as well as at the McChord Veterinary Center (VETCEN). Radiologic Technician Roger Stevenson figures that previously one MWD a week was imaged in MAMC's CT scan.
In the last few years, however, the focus had shifted away from this collaboration. Capt. Kyle Ross, an intern with the First Year Graduate Veterinary Education (FYGVE) program on Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), WA, believed a return to a more cooperative relationship was in order. He found a fellow advocate in MAMC Supervisory Radiologic Technician Melissa Brown. The two enlisted colleagues to reinvigorate the collaboration.
At 7:30 a.m. on a recent Friday morning, a small contingent, including FYGVE veterinarians Ross, Capt. Petra van Moorsel and animal care specialist Pfc. Kasie Carriveau marched the hallways of MAMC's radiology department with MWD Dodo and his handler Pfc. Whitnie Baldwin. A few minutes, and a sedative, later, Dodo was on the scan bed being imaged.
Ross and van Moorsel were eager to make use of the equipment at the medical center knowing that the radiographs they had already taken of Dodo did not offer the clarity and specificity of a CT scan. The McChord VETCEN has the capability to read the scan, but lacks the scanner itself. A CT scanner is a piece of equipment that requires its own room, the ability to isolate or protect from radiation and a healthy budget. It is difficult to procure such a large and expensive piece of equipment.
Together since October, Baldwin and Dodo have been developing their military police skills as a team. Dodo is a dual purpose MWD, meaning that he is utilized for both patrol and detection. He can control crowds or suspects as well as perform searches, detecting narcotics and explosives. He is a very laid back animal when he's not on duty. When it's work time, he throws himself into it. As his handler says, "he has a good definition of work and play". Dodo's mellow and affectionate demeanor made him the perfect candidate to be the first patient for collaboration reset.
Dodo is Baldwin's first MWD and she his first handler. Baldwin noticed Dodo had been biting his leg from their meeting, so Baldwin sought the assistance of the VETCEN. Given that self-mutilation is a common presentation of neurologic issues, Dodo's care team performed radiographs, but wanted the best picture of his situation possible. Ross set about making the CT scan a reality.
Dodo and his care team had the scan room booked for the appointment of the day.
MAMC's CT team treated him just as they would a human patient, though his VETCEN team did take the lead. Van Moorsel administered a sedative to relax Dodo since holding still is important to obtain a clear image. Though Dodo had some unexpected tremors as a response, the two teams worked to stabilize him. A restraining sleeve allowed Dodo some comfort as did oxygen. Donning a vest to protect her from radiation from the scan, Baldwin was able to stay with Dodo and comfort him during the short imaging process. The teams congregated in the office during the scan and Brown was able to acquire a clear image.
A few minutes to recover from the sedative, a sharing of mutual appreciation, a quick photograph of all involved and Dodo was on his way. Both the veterinarian and hospital staffs expect more collaboration like this one in the future.
Social Sharing