Page 27 - DATR 2019

Veterinary Training Squadron
The Veterinary Training Squadron (VTS) is the smallest Squadron at the DATR and is currently manned by three Military Veterinary Officers and nine Veterinary Technicians (many of which are Registered Veterinary Nurses).
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.
Rehabilitation balance work for Military dog Kajo following a serious spinal bleed which left him unable to use his back legs. This kind of rehabilitation has helped him get ready for rehoming
Defence Animal Training Regiment | 27