AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Staff members shuffle around a crowded waiting room calling out patients' names, such as Zeus and Tinkerbell--all are different shapes, sizes and covered from head to toe with fur.
The description of these patients would seem peculiar in any other capacity, but at the Veterinary Treatment Facility, this is just a typical day.
Here, the VTF provides healthcare services to the other 4,000 members of the Aviano family - the four-legged ones.
The seven-person clinic's mission revolves around a military working dog presence, but a secondary mission conducts routine services and approximately eight surgeries to an average of 100 personally owned animals a week.
"Our military working dogs are why we are here, we make sure they're fit to fight," said U.S. Army Sgt. Jose Leon, 31st Force Support Squadron VTF animal care specialist. "Our military working dogs are a huge investment by the Department of Defense, and we need to keep them healthy and happy. But, our personally owned animal population has grown so large that even though our main mission is the MWDs, we are always busy."
Among the services provided to MWDs, each K-9 is given two regular exams a year, immunizations, dental exams and blood work. Additionally, veterinarians address any additional concerns that may come up such as dehydration or hip problems.
When possible, the staff also trains military working dog handlers in basic animal medical care for their K-9 partners, for times when they are out in the field or downrange and a veterinarian isn't close by.
"If a problem arises in a deployed environment or if there's an emergency and there's no veterinarian around, the handlers need to have a basic understanding of dog first aid," said Leon. "It's the equivalent of self-aid and buddy care in the military. They'll have the ability to look out for their battle buddy during combat situations."
The veterinary clinic staff includes a military veterinary technician, licensed civilian veterinary technician, three animal technicians, two operations assistants and a receptionist.
Currently, the clinic has about 4,000 patients registered, including the 13 MWDs stationed on the base. Amber Obregon, 31st FSS VTF operations assistant advises registering pets immediately upon arriving on location to avoid headaches associated with a permanent change of station.
"Registering your pet allows us to keep track of the number here, keep a schedule of necessary vaccinations they need and ensures the integrity of our Status of Forces Agreement with Italy," said Obregon. "This is also a base requirement for all families stationed here. It only takes five minutes."
For Obregon, this is more than a paycheck; it's a way to keep close to what she enjoys.
"Honestly, my favorite part of the job is working with animals all day," said Obregon. "Although I don't always work directly with the animals, I still get to see them every single day. Also, I'm in charge of making sure we have what these animals need--like medication or vaccination-- so I feel like I directly contribute to the health of people's animals."
For more information on any of the veterinary clinic services, to schedule an appointment or to register a pet, call 632-8485.