Photo By Capt. Isra Pananon | The 452nd Combat Support Hospital commander, Col. Patricia Ten Haaf, left, enjoys...... read more read more
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CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – John Peaveler, a U.S. Air Force veteran, visited Camp Arifjan May 31 to kick off a new program for soldiers.
Every week Col. Patricia Ten Haaf, commander of the 452nd Combat Support Hospital, hosts a weekly soldier recognition program in the lobby of the hospital. This week there were some new faces in the audience.
Peaveler, owner and manager of the Kuwait Society for the Protection of Animals and Their Habitat (KsPATH), attended the soldier recognition program with his daughter, Dalal, and dog Attis.
Peaveler concluded his military service in 2004 and now lives in Kuwait with his family where he is the founder and managing director of KsPATH. Peaveler is passionate about animals and the military, and has previously invited soldiers to work with the animals at the society.
Now, he is bringing his own pets to soldiers.
Capt. Natalie Spiliopoulos of the 719th Medical Detachment (Veterinary Services), Capt. Lynn Miller, Area Support Group-Kuwait veterinarian, along with Col. Patricia Ten Haaf, have been working together with Peaveler on a plan to bring a canine onto base and into the hospital for soldiers and patients to enjoy. Today, this dream came to fruition with the help and partnership of medical units under the 3rd Medical Command (Deployment Support) Operational Command Post (Forward).
“Dogs have been used in patient activity for years. It’s a great opportunity to be able to provide the same service to our deployed soldiers,” stated Ten Haaf. “Many of us have pets back home that we miss every day.”
Peaveler and his family rescued Attis when he was a puppy. Attis transitioned from a scared, shy puppy to a loving, social dog with the help and care from the Peavelers.
Attis took a tour of U.S. Military Hospital – Kuwait where he interacted with the staff of each department. Soldiers were able to play fetch, offer treats, and relax with Attis.
“This is day one of the pilot program for animal assisted activities. We look forward to partnering on events like this in the future,” said Peaveler.
| Date Taken: | 06.07.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.07.2014 05:09 |
| Story ID: | 132399 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 121 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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