Fort Stewart Veterinary Treatment Facility continues to treat animals during pandemic

Photo By Sgt. Zoe Garbarino | Robin Jones, a retired Soldier and current veterinarian who works at the Fort Stewart Veterinary Treatment Facility, is being assisted by Spc. Krystall Shaw, an animal care specialist assigned to the clinic, as Jones uses an otoscope to check a patient’s ear at the Fort Stewart Veterinary Treatment Facility on Fort Stewart, Georgia, April 10, 2020. The staff at the clinic continues to provide aid to working and privately owned animals during the COVID-19 pandemic. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Zoe Garbarino)  

FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, UNITED STATES

04.10.2020

Story by Sgt. Zoe Garbarino 

50th Public Affairs Detachment

The Fort Stewart Veterinary Treatment Facility has been taking precautionary measures to deter the spread of COVID-19 while continuing to provide veterinary services to the Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield community.

The veterinary corps is responsible for the care of government-owned animals and provides limited care for beneficiaries in the military community who own animals and pets. They also provide surgical care, food safety and defense, along with biomedical research and development.

Since Fort Stewart was put under Health Protection Condition Charlie, which indicates there is a substantial risk for sustained community transmission of the COVID-19 disease, many different facilities, like the veterinary clinic, have changed the way they operate.

“We are prioritizing privately owned animals that have more urgent conditions as well as timely wellness visits like new puppies that need vaccines and health certificates,” said Capt. Adrienne Greenwood, the Fort Stewart veterinary branch chief. “We also continue to have sick call for animals and will work those appointments into our work schedule.”

Greenwood said one of the biggest changes at her clinic is clients cannot come into the building with their animals. They must schedule an appointment and call the clinic to review the animal’s history over the phone. From there, on the day of the appointment, a technician will go outside and pick up the animal from the owner and bring them inside for services. Owners must wait in their cars while the animal is being inspected. Then, one of the doctors will call the client and review treatment procedures and schedule follow-up appointments as needed.

Although there have been no confirmed cases on domestic animals at Fort Stewart, Greenwood advises that people must wash their hands after touching animals and avoid touching someone else’s pets or strays. She said even though the animal itself may not have the virus, they could be a carrier and possibly spread it.

Robin Jones, a retired Soldier and current veterinarian who works at the clinic, examines privately owned animals needing treatment.

“It feels good knowing that in these trying times, we are making pets and their owners feel better by bringing them relief and helping them with their health,” said Jones.

Jones said she was a veterinarian while serving in the U.S. Army more than 20 years ago, and the mission has remained the same ever since. Even though there are a few limitations with how animals are seeking treatment during the pandemic, her mission and end goals remain the same, to diagnose and treat as many animals as possible.

Although people are not allowed into the clinic, they are more than welcome to adopt pets at this time. For more information, visit the Fort Stewart Pets Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FortStewartPets or contact the Fort Stewart Vet Clinic at 461 West Bultman, Building 1180, phone number 912-435-7387.

• Date Taken: 04.10.2020
• Date Posted: 04.14.2020 21:12
• Story ID: 367395
• Location: FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US