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Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
my career to work with this horse<br />
and help him return to his honorable<br />
occupation.”<br />
Chaffin and his team <strong>of</strong> veterinary<br />
technicians and veterinary students<br />
confirmed that Wooldridge’s platelet<br />
count was indeed below normal. After<br />
consulting with Dr. Mark Johnson, a<br />
board-certified clinical pathologist at<br />
the CVM, a count <strong>of</strong> the platelets was<br />
performed by another method. It too<br />
confirmed the low platelet concentration<br />
in Wooldridge’s blood.<br />
Then, Chaffin decided to consult<br />
with Dr. Mary Boudreaux, a platelet<br />
specialist at Auburn University. At<br />
Boudreaux’s advice, Chaffin drew<br />
blood using a novel method that<br />
prevented the platelets from clumping<br />
and provided a more accurate platelet<br />
count. When the new sample was<br />
tested, Wooldridge’s platelet count<br />
was indeed normal.<br />
“It was necessary for us to draw the<br />
blood through a large bore needle<br />
directly into anticoagulant solution<br />
contained in the syringe,” Chaffin<br />
Randolph and Laughlin Air Force bases to provide care for<br />
said. “This reduced the opportunity for platelet activation, military working dogs and United States customs dogs.<br />
and we were able to see normal platelet concentration levels. Without the diligent care and attention provided by the<br />
It was a huge relief for our team, as the low platelet count Army veterinary team, horses like Wooldridge and all the<br />
could be indicative <strong>of</strong> other more severe health problems other animals who serve our nation would not be able to do<br />
such as cancer or immune-mediated thrombocytopenia that their jobs.<br />
could have ended Wooldridge’s career.”<br />
With the platelet problem solved, Chaffin consulted Dr.<br />
Robin Dabareiner <strong>of</strong> the equine lameness service within the<br />
Large Animal Hospital. Dabareiner helped devise a treatment<br />
plan for Wooldridge’s navicular disease. Wooldridge Animals like Wooldridge and the ones rescued from the<br />
returned to Fort Sam Houston. Since being cleared for duty wildfires <strong>of</strong> Bastrop County not only symbolize dignity,<br />
in May 2012, Wooly has returned to his spot on the Caisson honor, and hope, they exemplify the importance <strong>of</strong> the<br />
team. With three or four Caisson requests each week, the human-animal bond and the special role that animals play<br />
Caisson Section was excited to have one <strong>of</strong> its shining stars in the everyday lives <strong>of</strong> humans. In times <strong>of</strong> need, these<br />
back in the line-up.<br />
animals are <strong>of</strong>ten left unable to help themselves or to con-<br />
“Working with horses like Wooly has its challenges,” said tinue important jobs. At the CVM, however, a cadre <strong>of</strong> Aggie<br />
Spc. Christopher Szewc, Army veterinary technician. “They veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary medical<br />
are large and they have their own personalities. I love them students, and staff stand ready to step in and lend a helping<br />
all, and we treat them with as much or more care than hand. There, the Aggie spirit, the soul <strong>of</strong> selfless service, is<br />
anything. Their mission is so important. There is no other alive and well, giving hope and improving health for animals<br />
animal that can do their job.”<br />
in the state <strong>of</strong> <strong>Texas</strong> and beyond.<br />
The Army veterinarians and their<br />
team <strong>of</strong> technicians are responsible<br />
for the health and well-being not only<br />
<strong>of</strong> these horses but other animals that<br />
serve on post. At Fort Sam Houston,<br />
there is a regular small-animal clinic<br />
that sees about 450 to 600 clients each<br />
month that are pets belonging to both<br />
active duty and retired military. The<br />
team is also responsible for inspections<br />
anywhere there are animals<br />
including classrooms at the educational<br />
facilities on post. There is also<br />
a riding stable with 20 governmentowned<br />
horses available for trail rides,<br />
riding lessons, and equine therapy<br />
for wounded warriors. The veterinary<br />
team at Fort Sam Houston also travels to<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
A Special Bond<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Soul <strong>of</strong> Service<br />
Cassion Section member, Staff Sgt. Glen Childers (left),<br />
Dr. Keith Chaffin (center), and Dr. Sarah Luciano,<br />
U.S. Army veterinarian (right) stand with Wooldridge<br />
prior to preparing for a Caisson Service.<br />
The VET returns to the CVM after the Bastrop deployment.<br />
CVM Today • Winter 2012 • 29
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