Page 22 - DATR Open Day 2023

VETERINARY TRAINING SQUADRON
THE Veterinary Training Squadron (VTS) is the smallest Squadron at
the DATR, and the clinical element
is staffed by three Military Veterinary Officers, nine Veterinary Technicians (all of whom are Registered or Student Veterinary Nurses) and three invaluable civil servants.
Though a small team, they remain responsible for the veterinary care of the Military Working Animals (MWA) in service from the initial recruitment phase right up until retirement. Up to 270 Military Working Dogs (MWD) and 300 Military Working Horses (MWH) can
be resident on site at any one time with an additional 800 MWD and 200 MWH around the wider UK.
The MWA on site are either undergoing training, helping to train new handlers or riding instructors, undergoing veterinary treatment or rehabilitation or, in the case of some of the horses, enjoying a well-earned holiday. If they become injured or ill whilst on site, the team at VTS provide emergency and routine care to ensure they are well looked after. For those MWA not resident on site, civilian vets local to them will often carry
out initial assessment and treatment with a referral to the DATR for more complex or
time-consuming treatment and rehabilitation.
All MWA must be in the best possible
health to carry out their duties, so a lot of
time is spent on preventative health care including vaccinations, dental care and
health inspections. A high level of training
is provided to all MWD handlers and riding instructors to ensure they have the knowledge and the skills to look after their charges when a member of the veterinary team is not on hand. This can be as simple as the basic
signs of health but includes more extensive emergency first aid and critical care training.
Rehabilitation is a vital part for all MWA following injury and surgery to ensure that they can return to work without sustaining further injury. With a trained Veterinary Physiotherapist and a hydrotherapist on site, VTS can ensure that all MWA are in the best condition possible, and they receive the same level of attention and care that many top athletes would.
At VTS today you will be able to see the Equine and Canine clinics and surgery buildings and see some demonstrations on how the Military look after their MWA both at home and on Operations.
22 | DEFENCE ANIMAL TRAINING REGIMENT