Military builds veterinarian VA – for dogs

[Unamused Cat]

I think this is a very nice story.

San Antonio - A new $15 million veterinary hospital for four-legged military personnel opened recently at Lackland Air Force Base, offering a long overdue facility that gives advanced medical treatment for combat-wounded dogs.

Dogs working for all branches of the military and the Transportation Safety Administration are trained at the base to find explosive devices, drugs and land mines. Some 2,500 dogs are working with military units.

Like soldiers and Marines in combat, military dogs suffer from war wounds and routine health issues that need to be treated to ensure they can continue working.

Dogs injured in Iraq or Afghanistan get emergency medical treatment on the battlefield and are flown to Germany for care. If necessary, they'll fly on to San Antonio for more advanced treatment - much like wounded human personnel.

”We act as the Walter Reed of the veterinary world,” said Army Col. Bob Vogelsang, hospital director, referring to the Washington military medical center that treats troops returning severely wounded from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Nice video: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4555693n Two paws up

http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=330...c-d780e0edbd5c

[Envy]

Its about time WOOHOO!

[Becca]

I have mixed emotions on this one.

As an animal lover, I'm very happy the four-legged soldiers will get treatment they need for their war injuries.

BUT, as the wife of a veteran disabled in OIF, I wish they'd spend $15 million, hell even half that, to correct issues with current treatment availability for our two-legged soldiers.

[maryhaze]

this country should be able to care for both. JMO

[DarkPrincess]

They don't even take proper care of the human soldiers, now they're going to take care of the dogs? I love dogs and all, but they need to take care of their people first.

[Becca]

this country should be able to care for both. JMO

You would think so.

[crickett]

this country should be able to care for both. JMO

Absolutely...I so totally agree..many times the dogs have saved the soldiers lives...this is a chance to give back

[maryhaze]

my avatar is a working dog from a military website. with absolutely no disrespect intended to human soldiers, these dogs risk their lives just for the love of their handlers. i think the least we owe them is care after they've served just as valiantly for their people & this country.

[CariCanaan]

That's good, we need it. We owe it to those dogs.

[Becca]

i think the least we owe them is care after they've served just as valiantly for their people & this country.

I absolutely agree with you. They serve well out of loyalty and love and deserve our respect because they too are soldiers or policemen or etc.

I just think 15 million dollars is a little excessive and some of those funds could be used to improve conditions for human soldiers. There are so many soldiers dealing with so many issues with poor, little, or no medical resources (my family included) that it burns me just a little.

I didn't say I didn't think it should happen for the dogs, just shocked at that amount of money.