Veterinary Treatment Facility Keeping military working dogs healthy, food safe, pets happy

This includes yearly check-ups and annual vaccinations, health certificates, microchipping, heartworm testing, fecal testing for parasites, leukemia testing and much more.

''We offer all vaccines, heartworm tests, fecal testing for internal parasites, minor eye, ear and skin checks, leukemia testing, health certificates and microchipping," explained Spc. Samantha Scholle, a veterinary technician at the Jacksonville Branch.

"We don't do any kind of long term treatments. If they do need to be on some kind of medication, we'll do the blood work for our clients and then send them out in town for long term care."

The only exception to that is the care provided to the military working dogs on base. "We try to take care of everything for our military working dogs. It's our job is to provide all their veterinary care to keep them healthy so they can perform their duties," added Scholle.

Spc. Samantha Scholle of the South Atlantic District Veterinary Command, NAS Jacksonville Branch scans Nala for her microchip number as her owners Leslie and Don Danhour and her friend, Nitchkee watch. The Danhours and their dogs were finishing their outprocessing at the clinic before they headed to Hawaii for the next four years.

The veterinary treatment facility has two examination rooms complete with computers allowing staff members to document the animal's health information.

There is also a small laboratory to conduct heartworm, feline leukemia and intestinal parasite testing (any other needed tests are sent out with results usually back within 24 hours), an X-ray room, surgical prep area with a surgical tub treatment area to perform dentistries and other small procedures and a sterile surgery room.

The clinic is run by three receptionists, two military veterinary technicians, a military veterinarian and one contracted veterinarian who also works at the NS Mayport, and NSB Kings Bay, Ga., clinics.

One of the biggest requests by clients is the need for health certificates for their pets.

South Atlantic District Veterinary Command, NAS Jacksonville Branch receptionist Gillian Williams assists AD3 Anthony Noriega of VP-45 after he brought his dog in for her annual vaccinations.

''We issue a lot of health certificates for military members who are transferring. There are very specific guidelines and they change frequently when pets travel overseas, including Hawaii and Japan. It's a long process to take pets to these places because of all the rabies requirements. We recommend that as soon as you get orders to get your pets in and start the process," explained receptionist Gillian Williams. "The sooner you get started, the less time your pet will have to remain in quarantine when you get there.

"We are here today to get our dogs ready to ship to Hawaii. This is a great place, the staff is wonderful, they take care of us and have always helped us out," said Don Danhour, who has used the clinic for the past four years to take care of his animals. "Our dogs will probably be quarantined for about 30 days but that will give us a little time to get settled and find a place to live."

The clinic has information about all the different guidelines for moving with pets overseas but clients transferring can also get the requirements on different Web sites. For those traveling to Hawaii, go to http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/info. Those who have orders to Japan can check http://www.usarj.army.mil/organization/vet/rfc.aspx. For all others, check with the clinic.

Dr. Valerie Benham, DVM listens to Rocko's heard as his owner, Roy Evans stands nearby. Evans recently adopted the stray and brought him to the clinic for a check-up.

The clinic staff also offers a microchip identification procedure that is required for all military members who have animals living in base housing. This painless procedure identifies pets by scanning and tracking their identification if they become lost or if they are left behind when a family moves.

Medications such as flea and tick control, heartworm prevention and prescription foods are also available at a discounted price.

While offering veterinary care to the military working dogs and military member's pets is an important aspect of the SADVC Jacksonville Branch mission, there is another mission of this organization. That is, to inspect all food products delivered on the base including items received by the NAS Jax Commissary and all restaurants and food service facilities here.

Vangie Field holds her cat, Molly as Spc. Samantha Scholle of the South Atlantic District Veterinary Command, NAS Jacksonville Branch checks her for fleas.

Veterinary food inspectors play a critical role in veterinary medicine. Each of these inspectors is specifically trained to conduct food safety inspections in all departments at the commissary and at the commercial vendor's sites who supply the food to the military.

''While we work primarily in the NAS Jax Commissary inspecting food, we also conduct customer visits to various food establishments here such as the galleys, Navy Exchange Food Court, McDonalds, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department facilities and any place that carries food products," said Sgt. Keo Sok. "We also conduct random checks of delivery trucks coming into the gate to make sure the boxes aren't broken and shifted around. If the boxes are broken open upon arrival, we will also go and do a receipt inspection to make sure the products aren't damaged."

Food Inspectors Sgt. Keo Sok, left, and Spc. Antwan Lovett inspect some produce to ensure customers are getting top quality fruits and vegetables at the NAS Jax Commissary.

Every meat and produce delivery that comes into the commissary must be inspected before any items can be put on the commissary floor. ''Our job is to do quality assurance by ensuring the food comes from an approved source and that meat products are listed in the meat/poultry list approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture,'' continued Sok. ''We also assist if someone has refrigeration failure by helping them determine which foods are safe to keep and which have to be discarded and we also do night sanitation to make sure the commissary workers are following proper clean-up procedures.''

The food inspectors work hard to ensure military members and their families are provided with the best quality food available.