AFP, US Military veterinarians help pets, livestock

Photo By Master Sgt. J. L. Wright Jr. | Capt. Shane J. Andrews, St. George, Utah native and veterinarian augment for 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade administers medication to a caribou during a veterinary civic action project here, Oct. 13. Over 200 animals were treated during the VETCAP, which is part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2011. Phiblex '11 is a bilateral training exercise conducted with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and is designed to improve interoperability, increase readiness and continue to build professional relationships between the two countries.  

POPANGA PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES

10.13.2010

Story by Gunnery Sgt. J. L. Wright Jr. 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

POPANGA PROVINCE, Philippines – Animal owners brought hundreds of animals to two veterinary civic action projects, or VETCAP, offered by U.S. Army and Philippine Air Force veterinarians here, Oct. 13. The VETCAP's are part of a series of medical services being provided to Filipino nationals as part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2011.

Phiblex '11 is a two-week bilateral training exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Marines and sailors from 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and is designed to improve interoperability, increase readiness and to foster professional relationships between the two countries.

For Phiblex '11, three U.S Army soldiers were augmented to the Brigade from U.S. Army Veterinary Command to provide Veterinarian support alongside their counterparts from the Philippine Air Force.

The VETCOM provides animal disease prevention, food and water safety, throughout the Department of Defense, said U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Franklin E. Davis, native of Griffin, Ga. and sergeant major, Pacific Regional Veterinary Command.

“Phiblex offers a perfect opportunity to use these skills and work with our Filipino counterparts,” he said.

Pet owners lined the street with their pets to receive a variety of care.

"We are here to take care of these local animals and to provide dewormings, vitamins, and rabies vaccinations," said Army Sgt. Jeffrey A. Souder, Reading, Pa., native and veterinarian technician for the Japan District, Pacific Regional Veterinary Command.

Souder added that rabies is historically more prevalent in this region and that providing the rabies vaccination is crucial to preventing the spread of the disease to humans and other animals.

Throughout the day, the veterinarians delivered the vaccinations and medicine to a variety of animals including cats, dogs, goats, caribou and roosters.

Souder added that the goal of project, in addition to working bilaterally with their Filipino counterparts, is to help the local populace with having healthy animals and livestock.

“The locals have been very receptive to our presence and so far have brought a lot of animals to receive treatment,” Army Capt. Shane J. Andrews, St. George, Utah native and veterinarian, Japan District, Pacific Regional Veterinary Command said.

Following a few hours in one location in the province, the team moved to a more rural area to assist more animals.

By the end of one day, the team bolstered a total of 236 animals assisted, providing much needed medical care for the extended members of many families.

• Date Taken: 10.13.2010
• Date Posted: 10.14.2010 04:49
• Story ID: 58061
• Location: POPANGA PROVINCE, PH