Page 328 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
Commandant Lt Col Peter Roffey RAVC, followed by one hundred and one personnel with twenty-seven dogs and ten horses for the march past the saluting dais in the Market Place to pay their compliments to the Mayor of Melton, Councillor Mrs Eva Stockley, and the Director RAVC, Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles.
The Parade was ably led by the dismounted band of the Life Guards the premier military band. Resplendent in their distinctive uniform, breast plates and plumed helmets. However, the scene stealers were undoubtedly the Dog Training Wing, led by Captain John Corbin RAVC, with thirty male and female RAVC soldiers handling a variety of Service dogs. Unique to the occasion was the presence of Captain Mike Lagutchick of the United States Army Veterinary Corps, an exchange officer with the DAC, who might well have been the first American soldier to parade in Melton when he led the Veterinary Division contingent.
After the Parade the Mayor entertained DAC personnel and spouses to a reception and buffet in the Council Chambers. The Mayor, who had personally invited the Commandant to exercise the Corps’ right to ‘march through the town with drums beating and bayonets fixed’, took the opportunity to thank Colonel Peter Roffey for his support to the Borough and presented him with a crystal vase and a bouquet to his wife. 36
Royal Visit – 1994
HRH The Princess Royal was a most welcome guest to the Defence Animal Centre on 18th March 1994 – her fourth official visit to the Centre in the past twenty years. Not so welcome was the appalling weather which rained down almost immediately the tour began. However, although the rain did not lend itself to the photographic record of the day, Princess Anne herself radiated such warmth, charm and happiness that the weather was soon forgotten.
The Princess visited the Veterinary Hospital, Dog Training Wing, School of Equitation and School of Farriery and honoured the Officers by taking lunch with them in the Officers’ Mess. Princess Anne showed considerable interest in everything she saw and of course when it came to horses there was not much she did not already know.37
Canine Biathlon
Lance Corporal ‘Jasper’ Garratt RAVC, a member of the DAC dog training staff, with his dog “Zak” took part in the Canine Biathlon at the DAC on 9th July 1994. Both Darren and Zak ably negotiated the many varied obstacles of the course, not least the very wide water jump, whilst competing. The annual competition was sponsored by Pedigree Petfoods – the manufacturer of
36 Chiron Calling dated Summer 1993. 37 Chiron Calling dated Summer 1994.
the Pedigree Chum formula that was fed to all Service dogs at that time.
1995... Services Veterinary Hospital
by Major Neil Smith RAVC
The Services Veterinary Hospital (SVH) at the Defence Animal Centre is a busy, well-equipped, modern veterinary facility. It has evolved over the years to its current status and has never been busier. The Equine Theatre is probably one of the best in the UK outside of a Veterinary School, and on the canine side we are proud of the service we offer both within the DAC and to outside Units.
We have twelve members of staff: two Veterinary Officers, Hospital Manager, Head Technician, four Veterinary Technicians, and four support staff (three RAVC soldiers, one civilian). The work is fairly evenly split between equine and canine, although there is some seasonal variation.
In addition to the maintenance of the health and welfare of Service Animals we are also involved in the training of all Veterinary Technicians for the RAVC and the induction of new Veterinary Officers into Military Veterinary Courses and to a variety of canine courses are given by SVH staff.
The majority of the equine work is dealing with the horses resident at the DAC, this population varies from one hundred to over two hundred dependent upon the time of the year. The vaccination and worming programme is controlled by the SVH, and the respon- sibility for its co-ordination is delegated to the Head Technician. Horses are vaccinated against equine influenza in accordance with Jockey Club Rules, and against tetanus bi-annually. We have looked at the new EHV vaccine but have no immediate plans for its routine use. Anthelminthic preparations are used in rotation to reduce the establishment of resistance, currently ivermectin, fenbendazole and pyrantel embonate are used.
The greatest number of equine cases we see are lamenesses, with respiratory problems, wounds and colic’s accounting for the majority of other problems. Sub-solar abscesses are predominantly an autumn/ winter issue here, although the wet spring this year has contributed to a recent run of cases. Other lamenesses are diagnosed with the help of nerve blocks, radiography, and ultrasound. Some of the cases we see are referred from the Household Cavalry or King’s Troop for further investigation or treatment.
Diagnosis and subsequent treatment of respiratory problems are aided by the use of our flexible endoscopes and bronchial-alveolar lavage. The stocks we have at the
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