Page 41 - Chiron Calling Autum 2021/Spring 2022

stroke, a very serious illness that we unfortunately see in our dogs especially when they are working hard in warmer parts of the world such as Kenya or Oman. We had a practical ultrasound session
for which two of our Vet Techs
very kindly drove down 4 ‘willing volunteers’ for us to practice A-FAST and T-FAST emergency scanning. In simpler terms we learnt how to scan the dog’s abdomen
and thorax to look for free fluid
or air in order to help with a rapid emergency assessment. Ultrasound scanning is a great tool as it is a
very effective, non-invasive (animal can be completely conscious) way
to gather lots of information about what is going on internally.
During the final part of the training we learnt about emergency fracture stabilisation and wound management. After making some overly large Robert-Jones bandages on our poor foxes and learning
some excellent new techniques for promoting wound healing we all felt up to date on the latest knowledge that, should we happen to find ourselves in an emergency situation, would be invaluable.
We did manage to get a bit of downtime in the evenings and some of the activities we got up to
included ‘gymming,’ eating some delicious Mexican tapas, swimming, some retail therapy, attending a terrifying West End production and most unusually (thanks to Capt Andy Rose) axe throwing!
All in all, it was an excellent few
days away. Those in attendance agreed that thanks to the practical and theoretical training we received we would be a lot more confident if put in an emergency situation where time and competence are of the utmost importance.
Practicing surgical technique on a fox cadaver
(Lt Lucy Gimson, Capt Ella Gale and Professor Nick Bacon).
Cpl Craig Whitley then spoke about the RAVC memorial and educated us on the history of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and why it was first founded, dating all the way back to John Shipp’s commissioning into the British Army as the first Veterinary Officer. Followed by which Pte Orin Douglas then spoke about the Red Paw memorial and talked briefly of the dog handlers lost in Northern Ireland. We also learnt from Pte Douglas about the red paw signifying the bloody paws of a MWD cut by broken glass after a bombing in Northern Ireland.
Having peers talk about recent conflicts that our generation grew up with seemed to really bring home the reality of the events. During
my talk on Operation MARKET
GARDEN, I spoke briefly about a Victoria Cross recipient; Lance- Sergeant John Baskeyfield at the battle for Arnhem. He showed incredible leadership and bravery under some of the harshest fighting conditions before he sadly lost his life. This was especially poignant because he was only 22 years old.
In times of peace, it is especially important to remember the people who have sacrificed their all in conflicts over the years. Visits to memorials such as the NMA are
an integral part of being a soldier, so I’m glad to have been included in the trip. I thought that the Burma railway memorial which was made from component parts from the actual railway was an incredible testament to the POWs and prisoners who had to build it
in the first place. However, possibly the most sobering was the Armed forces memorial wall of names and the empty walls waiting for others in future conflicts.
Chiron Calling / 39