MHAFB vet clinic is grrreat!

Cezar, a military working dog with the 366th Security Forces Squadron, licks the face of Army Sgt. Holly Cook Oct. 27, 2011, at the veterinary clinic at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Cook is attached to preventative medicine at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and is the noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the clinic. Cezar was being held by Staff Sgt. James Colip, 366th SFS military working dog trainer, throughout his routine exam. The primary mission of the vet clinic is the care and service to the military working dogs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton)

MHAFB vet clinic is grrrreat!

Owen, a domestic short-haired orange tabby, eats kitty treats during an examination Oct. 27, 2011, at the Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, veterinary clinic. The clinic provides vaccines and exams for between five and 15 patients every day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton)

MHAFB vet clinic is grrreat!

Ruby, a domesticated house rabbit, is held down by her owner Shamini Velyudhan, while getting her nails trimmed Oct. 27, 2011, at the Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, veterinary clinic. The clinic offers services to a wide variety of animals owned by the base population. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton)

Pamper your pet, go see the vet!

Published Oct. 28, 2011
By Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- The base veterinary clinic offers a wide variety of services to 366th Security Forces Squadron military working dogs as well as civilian owned animals.

"Our primary mission is medical care and service to the military working dogs here on base, but we also provide care for pets of military personnel and provide education and preventative medicine for diseases which can be transmitted from canine to human," said Dr. Nancy Sutton, doctor of veterinary medicine and supervisor of the veterinary clinic.

When dealing with the military working dogs, veterinary technicians must be especially careful because these are not regular pets, they are service animals that have very special needs.

"We provide the diet for the military working dogs, any surgeries which become necessary and weight and medication monitoring," said Army Sgt. Holly Cook, who is attached to preventative medicine at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and is the noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the veterinary clinic here. "We also perform inspections of the facilities where the animals stay and the obstacle course they utilize to make sure it is safe and free of debris which could harm the animals."

While the military working dogs are the primary mission, privately owned animals are still extremely important and frequent the clinic.

"It is important for base members to register their animals here when they get them," said Nicole Nutting, a civilian veterinary technician. "Our number one priority is animal safety, so we need to see the animal's shot records and will schedule vaccines accordingly."

According to Cook, pets whose owners are moving overseas must be brought into the clinic immediately because they are required to be quarantined which can last anywhere from three days to six months depending on the oversea duty station.

For more information or to schedule your animal for an appointment, contact the base veterinary clinic at (208) 828-2221.