Vet clinic serves base members

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Devante Williams
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  One of Luke Air Force Base's best kept secrets is that it offers vet services for pets of active-duty members and retirees.

"Our primary mission is to take care of the 56th Security Forces Squadron military working dogs," said Dr. J.M. Kiel, Luke Air Force Base Veterinary Treatment Facility officer in charge. "After we make sure the MWDs are 100-percent healthy and ready to perform the mission, we care for pets owned by members who qualify for treatment."

To qualify, the pet owner must be active-duty or retired military member regardless of what base they are from.

Base residents are required by regulation to register pets with veterinary services within 10 working days of arrival at Luke. The clinic maintains pet records and provides required vaccinations at a normal charge, including rabies shots and yearly boosters for dogs, cats and ferrets.

The clinic offers health certificates, immunizations, parasite control, zoonotic disease control, heart worm testing and prevention, microchips, and limited outpatient treatment.
The clinic provides many services but does not have the necessary facilities or staff to provide hospitalization, intensive veterinary care or emergency services and does not currently perform surgical procedures. But, they do have information on emergency clinics in the area for those in need.

Although the clinic accepts only dogs and cats as patients, the vet professionals also perform regular examinations on the guinea pigs and rabbits that live at the 56th Force Support Squadron Child Development Center.

"It's good to let the public know that our services are offered to them," Kiel said. "A lot of people don't know there is a vet clinic on base and that they're allowed to use it. Also, it will help lower cost on pet care since our rates are lower than traditional vet offices."
To make an appointment or for more information, visit the clinic in Bldg. 1107 or call (623) 856-6354.