Page 27 - Chiron Spring 2020

On Thursday 6th of February four members of 104 Squadron carried out some continuation training at Network Rail Melton Mowbray. Two handlers from Vehicle Search and two handlers from Arms Explosive Search. We arrived at network rail and were greeted by Pat Hughes Senior safety engineer and site
Cpl Hoyland, 104 Sqn, 1 MWD Regt
manager, he was extremely welcoming to all and gave us a full tour of the facilities and safety briefs on the areas we would be able to work in. The handlers had the opportunity to search a static train and various buildings on site. We spent the whole day there from searching exterior and interior of a train under maintenance
and interior building search setting up scenarios for the handles and working in different environments; which some dogs have never been in before. Overall it was a great days training and all the handlers and dogs had a great day out. We look forward to doing more work with the Network Rail team in the future.
It’s all in Train(ing)... Network Rail
Having recently returned to my training at the DATR, I have been reflecting on my extremely worthwhile experience with the Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS). The neuter course is 10 days long and is based in Northern Thailand just outside of the now very popular backpackers destination, Chiang Mai. Despite the attractive location, it was far from a holiday! We neutered, health screened and rabies vaccinated many street dogs from all over Northern Thailand. Not only did we receive one-on-one tuition from very knowledgeable Thai vets but we also felt as though we had made a small contribution to ‘Mission Rabies’- the population control and vaccination programme put in place in order to eventually eradicate rabies in the region.
Despite working hard during the week, I did get the middle weekend off which I went on an awesome 2 day Jungle trek in one of the local national parks. Our Thai guide ‘Wat’ took us up some incredibly steep trials and to many extremely
beautiful waterfalls in which we all managed to take a very aptly timed swim in the refreshing mountain water (trekking in 35degree heat and serious humidity was no walk in the park)! The highlight of the trip was spending the night in our guide’s secluded family home in the mountains. Cooking a Massaman curry with him and his family over the open stove that night then waking up to the most beautiful sunrise over the tree covered mountains are experiences I will struggle to forget.
It is definitely good to get out of your normal surroundings and push yourself slightly out of your comfort zone; the saying ‘a change is as good as a rest’ could not be more true. This has been an incredible experience both personally and professionally. On returning to duties at the Veterinary Training Squadron, I feel substantially more confident with surgery and inspired, that as a vet, I have contributed to such a valuable project.
A Thai Adventure
Lt Bryony Whitaker
CHIRON CALLING 27