Columbus AFB says goodbye to Army MWD veterinarian

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kaleb Snay
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  When it comes to the U.S. military, what is the first thought that comes to mind?

For many it may be the war on terrorism, protecting the country and so on, but the thought of taking care of sick animals may not be prevalent.

That is unless you are U.S. Army Capt. Teri Vaughn, the Redstone Arsenal Veterinary Services Officer in Charge, who encompasses all those ideals and more taking care of Columbus Air Force Base's Military Working Dogs for almost two years.  

Vaughn has been a Veterinary Corps Officer since June 2012. Redstone Arsenal was her second Army assignment, arriving in September 2013, where she took responsibility for the medical deployment readiness of Columbus AFB's six Military Working Dogs care in January 2014. This includes both preventive medicine as well as emergency medical care. She was reassigned to a location in Italy earlier this month.

A native of Starkville, Mississippi, Vaughn made three-hour trips to Columbus AFB monthly to perform inspections of the MWD facility and check the weights and body conditions of the MWDs. She ensured they were not over or underweight and performed physical examinations on them semiannually, ensuring they were up to date on their preventive care, including vaccinations and bloodwork. She also performed both pre- and post-deployment examinations, ensuring they were fit to deploy and were healthy upon return.

"Military Working Dogs are critical to our mission success both stateside and overseas," Vaughn said. "Their abilities are unmatched and the bond formed between a MWD and his or her handler surpasses the already close bond defined through 'man's best friend.'

"A healthy MWD saves lives over and over again down range through their detection and patrol capabilities.  Just as in people, if a dog is not feeling well, it affects their performance.  Keeping them healthy allows them to perform their best."

Her support did not stop there as she also supported the 14th Medical Group by providing veterinary zoonotic disease subject matter expertise and assistance in handling bite reports for rabies prevention. She also supported the base by inspecting animal facilities such as the MWD kennel, the stable, and locations with classroom pets, such as the youth center and child development centers.

Due to the relative isolation of the base from Army veterinary facilities, it was important to create a relationship with a local veterinary hospital to provide emergency support to the MWDs while they are at home, said Tech. Sgt. Dustin Weeks, 14th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog Kennel Master.

The Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine is a state-of-the-art veterinary teaching hospital in close proximity to Columbus AFB. In addition to providing support to the base, Vaughn also worked with the faculty and students at MSUCVM to create training opportunities for the K-9 handlers, future Army Veterinary Corps officers currently attending veterinary school at MSUCVM, and the expert faculty who volunteered their time and expertise to assist with these events, Weeks said. He said it almost goes without saying that Vaughn developed a bond with these animals during her time at Columbus AFB.

"All dogs are individuals and have unique personalities. Having worked so closely with them, I know each of the dogs and they know me as well," Vaughn said. "The two I have developed the closest relationships with are two I deployed, and then medically retired, enabling them to go home to live with their handlers.

"These dogs are living incredibly happy lives, and are also receiving physical therapy at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, compliments of the second year class of veterinary students. This is just one great implication of the relationship we have built between the MWD kennel at CAFB, the Army Veterinary Corps, and MSUCVM."

Vaughn had made a deep impact on the MWD handlers for her commitment to not only her job but the base as a whole.

"She's going to be missed," Weeks said. "She was both highly involved and professional. Her diligence with keeping the dogs healthy brought us more support than ever. The way she cared about her job and the MWDs kept us in high spirit. Not to mention she kept in contact with us for other than her required visits, kept us trained and proficient made us feel prepared, which is why we wanted to recognize her for all her hard work."

A couple weeks before she left, Vaughn was surprised not once but twice during her visit to the base. First she was coined by Col. John Nichols and 14th Mission Support Group leadership for her efforts, and then she was presented a plaque by the MWD handlers.

"I was not at all expecting the coins I received from the Wing Commander and the 14th MSG, as well as the large gathering that came by to see me off to my next assignment," Vaughn said. "That, in addition to the amazing plaque my K9 Handlers surprised me with really made the day special."

The plaque included fluid bags from the veterinary emergency medical training, a picture of Vaughn with all of the handlers and the MWDs, and a list of each dog Vaughn supported including those who have medically retired and transitioned from service dog to pet status.

"The plaque is incredibly special due to the thought that the guys put into it.  It incorporates so many of the aspects of what we have done at the kennel," Vaughn said. "CAFB holds a special place in my heart, as I consider it to be home. Having the opportunity to use my skills to support an amazing base with phenomenal K-9 handlers and Military Working Dogs, while building relationships between the base and Mississippi State University made this an assignment of a lifetime. I will miss the people I have worked with, as well as the MWDs, though I do plan to stop by whenever I visit home."