Page 12 - Chiron Calling Autum 2021/Spring 2022

An insight into the
Veterinary Technician role
at Cyprus MWD Troop
by LCpl Jenny Mudd
The Veterinary Technician (VT) role at Cyprus Military Working Dog Troop is
a demanding and challenging
job that also comes with a lot of responsibility. Based at Episkopi Garrison, with only one Veterinary Officer (VO) and one VT, we are responsible for a number of Military Working Dogs and also treat a variety of other species through the civilian clinic.
Our first priority is the health and welfare of the 37 Military Working Dogs on island, for which we have
the Troop MWDs, the Sovereign Base Area (SBA) Police dogs and the RAF Police Dog Section who are based at RAF Akrotiri. In addition to this we run a part-time civilian practice, called Chiron Veterinary Clinic, for the pets of the Military families on camp, the Saddle
Clubs and British (Forces) Animal Rehoming Centre (BARC). Cyprus also has large numbers of stray dogs and cats that are often brought in for assessment and veterinary treatments through the resident Dog Wardens. The Cyprus VT post
is a ‘mini-management role’ due to the VT’s sole responsibility for running the clinic. This includes ordering pharmaceuticals and stock management for both the civilian and Military clinic and the veterinary equipment care and maintenance.
There is no such thing as a normal day in Cyprus MWD
Tp veterinary clinic as every day brings new challenges and interesting clinical cases. I have seen huge development in my nursing skills in a range of areas
10 / Chiron Calling
LCpl Mudd and MWD Yara at Cyprus MWD Troop