Base opens new vet clinic

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ryan Crane
  • 366th Communications Squadron
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Animal care services offered here increased after the base's new veterinary clinic opened its doors during a grand opening ceremony March 6.

Col. Tony Rock, 366th Fighter Wing commander, and Col. Paul Schmidt, commander of the Western Regional Veterinary Command, cut the ribbon at this week's event.

Improved care for the base's military working dogs drove the need for the new facility, according to clinic officials. The clinic is supplied with all necessary equipment and medication to provide the K-9s preventative and initial treatment should anything happen while on duty and to keep them ready to deploy with their security forces handlers.

Assigned to the 366th Security Force Squadron, the base's K-9 teams are trained to detect the odor of explosives and illegal narcotics and work with their handlers to protect police teams going into harm's way.

In addition to its military clients, the clinic also provides basic veterinary services for pets on base, including dogs and cats.

"We can take care of most initial treatment here at this facility, but we may end up referring our patients to a vet downtown," said Dr. Nancy Sutton, base veterinarian.

Construction on the $750,000 clinic started in March of 2006. Construction delays pushed back the time of completion to March 2007. Despite the wait, the facility now boasts one of the finest veterinarian facilities in the armed services, according to Army Capt. Angela Kuntz, veterinary clinic commander.

Among the new services the clinic has to offer, Doctor Sutton was most enthusiastic about the new air ventilation system in the operation room. The new system provides a cleaner environment for their patients, improving the quality of the care they need.

Other features include a larger pharmacy, an animal isolation room, sealed floors and an attached dog training course for the military working dogs.

Although the grand opening was this month, the clinic opened its doors for customers over the past few weeks. The clinic opens from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information, call the clinic at 828-2221.