Army Trains Military Animal Care Guardians

By Minnie JonesApril 18, 2008

Army Trains Military Animal Care Guardians
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt Aaron Mead, an instructor at the Department of Veterinary Science, Medicine Branch, walks animal care students through the stables at the Morale, Warfare and Recreation's Equestrian Center. Mead instructed students on the proper way to main... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army Trains Military Animal Care Guardians
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army Trains Military Animal Care Guardians
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- When it comes to taking care of the military's animals the Army is the only one that can do the job, and that training takes place here at the Army Medical Department Center and School in the Department of Veterinary Science.

An integral part of the Army's veterinary care system is the animal care specialists who are trained in the Medicine Branch of the Department of Veterinary Science.

A team of expert instructors teaches the intense course for these guardians, graduating approximately 70 Soldiers a year.

The course is very demanding, fast-paced and concentrated, cramming about two years of instruction into just 11 weeks of training. This is not an easy course; individuals wishing to enter into this occupational specialty must come prepared since the attrition rate of this course can range anywhere between 20 to 40 percent per class.

"The best (preparatory) courses for them are math courses, algebra, general math and the sciences that deal with biology, specifically anatomy and physiology will help them out as well. If they do well in those courses in high school and have an open mind, they will exceed in this course," said Staff Sgt. Christopher Rose, basic course manager, 68T, Department of Veterinary Science, Medicine Branch, AMEDDC&S.

Sgt. Samantha Mathis, an Army reservist and Texas native, who transferred to the Army after serving in the Navy, picked this course to fulfill her dream of becoming a veterinarian. "The course exceeded my expectations; the most challenging part of the course is learning so much stuff so quickly. There was a lot to learn," said Mathis.

At course's end, the school produces highly skilled animal care specialists capable of performing a wide variety of duties throughout the Department of Defense. Specialists can find themselves working in three primary areas of focus: animal medicine, veterinary public health, and research and development.

"The variety of what they do, laboratory, surgery, radiology, anesthesia, dentistry... they have to learn to do it all. These Soldiers get a tremendous variety of tasks and they have to apply it to many different species," said Lt. Col. R. Randall Thompson, surgeon and chief of the Animal Medicine Branch, Department of Veterinary Science, AMEDDC&S.

Animal care specialists are involved in the treatment, management, care and oversight of the sanitary needs of all military animals to include marine mammals, horses, cattle and research animals such as rats and pigs, with their highest priority placed on the medical care and support of the Military Working Dog. These dogs are essential for patrolling, providing drug and explosive ordnance detection and protecting Soldiers in combat.

"Dogs are saving Soldiers' lives everyday, so they (animal care specialists) are contributing something to that end. The dogs are combat multipliers. They save Soldiers' lives and they keep Soldiers in the fight," said Thompson.

When people think of animal care specialists, they don't normally correlate their mission with saving Soldiers' lives, but it does. Whether it is providing medical care for the Military Working Dog or the important research on animals, their job contributes directly to the longevity and sustainment of Soldiers - particularly in combat.

"In the field of laboratory animal research, we assist in research to develop vaccines that help protect the Soldier, which keeps our fighting force intact. We also helped with research like blood clotting factor that helps save the lives of many Soldiers when they go down range," said Sgt. 1st Class Brett Long, NCOIC, Animal Medicine Branch, Department of Veterinary Science.

Another important service that animal care specialists provide is Family support through the veterinary care facilities, where they provide physical examinations, vaccinations and health care for privately owned animals by appointment.

Like true guardians, their dedication and service give Soldiers and their Families peace of mind when they deploy; it is a comforting thought to know that their animals will be well taken care of while they are away.

".... As long as the military uses dogs on the battlefield, Americans will demand that they have the best medical care possible ... We can't do that without the animal care specialists. They have a tremendous responsibility," said Thompson.