ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Andrews animals have a new doctor in the house.
Army Capt. Amos K. Peterson, Andrews Section Chief Ft. Meade Branch National Capital Region Veterinary Corps, is the new veterinarian on base.
Growing up on a ranch in the small town of Wallawalla, Washington, the captain had constant interaction and experience with horses, cattle, dogs, and upwards of over a dozen cats.
He attended college through the Army's Health Professions Scholarship Program, and gradated May 4 from his duty site at Washington State University, where he was a veterinary medicine student for three years.
Captain Peterson stated that many of his classmates had desire to work exclusively with either large or small animals. The captain, however, studied the care of wide range of creatures, from full-grown stallions to the runt of a litter of kittens.
He also attended a 12-week Officer Basic Leadership Course at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, where he learned the skills needed to affectively operate a base clinic.
While at Ft. Sam Houston, Captain Peterson went to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas to practice veterinary medicine at their recently built state-of-the-art facility. He worked with the latest medical machinery exclusively on military working dogs.
"The veterinarian clinic here has the charge of the health care of military working dogs. The selection process for these animals is quite rigorous. They are the best of the best, and like top athletes, they require something not dissimilar to sports medicine," said Captain Peterson.
Currently, the clinic offers minor health services, such as vaccinations, blood work, and dermatology.
Captain Peterson is working on expanding the range of the clinic's capabilities to include surgical procedures. "Our goal, with approval, is in 60 days to be able to offer spays, neuters, and other surgeries for the health benefit of Andrews animals."
Private 1st Class Hayley K. St. Pierre, Animal Care Specialist says that she is happy to have Capt. Peterson working with her at the clinic. "He is motivated and really cares about the patients. We are excited about the goals that he has set for the clinic."
"This was my first choice for a duty station. My family and I are very excited to be here, and to serve the members of this base and facililtate the care of their animals," said Captain Peterson.
Anyone with a military ID on active duty, including their dependents, reservists on orders here of 60 days or more, and retirees may utilize the veterinarian facilities.
If in need of veterinary services, clinic hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.