JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The primary mission of the Joint Base Andrews Veterinary Service clinic is to provide medical support for government owned animals including military working dogs and secret service dogs.
The veterinary clinic provides top of the line medical and dental care for the 11th Security Forces Squadron military working dog unit, one of the largest MWD units in the Air Force, and other government dogs within the National Capital Region.
Army Captain Andrew J. Armstrong, Joint Base Andrews Veterinarian Section officer in charge, is the head veterinarian at the clinic. He began working at the veterinary clinic here Sept. 2010. Dr. Nancy Sitarz, Fort Belvoir Veterinary Clinic veterinarian, also assists Capt. Armstrong once a week at the clinic.
"I really enjoy working with the military working dogs," said Captain Armstrong. "It is a rare and unique experience to work with dogs that are trained to work with the military and complete missions."
For the military working dogs, the veterinary clinic provides basic check-ups, dental services, routine sick call, emergency care, and deployment physicals.
The military working dog unit here deploys approximately five dogs per cycle. It is important that they ensure the dogs are healthy to minimize issues while overseas, said Capt. Armstrong.
On a regular basis, the clinic treats minor injuries and common illnesses. The veterinary clinic has only had three emergent cases since Capt. Armstrong has been on Joint Base Andrews, he said.
The veterinary clinic provides care for not only for government owned animals, but they also provide basic veterinary care to privately owned animals of servicemembers as well. The clinic however, does not provide emergency care, dental care or sick call for privately owned animals.
The pet clinic is open Monday through Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for over the counter sales only. The Joint Base Andrews Veterinarian Services clinic is located at 1781 Arnold Ave. To schedule an appointment, or for additional information call the veterinary clinic at 240-857-2084.