Trip to the Vet

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kate Walker
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
VIDEO STORY TRASCRIPT --  During the summer, Airmen are briefed on how to keep themselves and their families safe, but sometimes certain family members are overlooked: their pets. At the Ellsworth Veterinary Clinic, Sergeant Joe Urzua works hard to educate his clients on how to keep their pets healthy and safe.

"A lot of people, especially a lot of the junior enlisted, they say, 'oh, I'm on a base now. I have house now. I want a pet. I had a dog when I was a kid so I want a dog' and a lot of them see it as a commodity like 'ooh, I want a new stereo, or I want this' they don't realize a pet is a responsibility. Just like deciding, 'I want to have children' You have to worry about vaccinations; you have to take care of them. And pets require care just like a child would. You have to take care of them, you have to get vaccines, you have to provide preventative medicine for them, and if they get hurt you have to take them to a hospital to get treated. And a lot of people don't think that. They think, 'oh, my pet's sick. I'll just let them walk it off', so I like to educate people and make sure they plan ahead." SGT Joe Urzua, Animal Care Specialist

But educating people is not the only thing Sergeant Urzua does. He also treats animals for problems like Heartworm, rabies, and other parasites and illnesses.

"My favorite part of my job is actually working with the animals and actually doing my job. Actually taking care of animals and seeing new stuff and actually applying the skills that I've learned and acquired over the years and using them. Not being a "paper-pusher". You know, filling out reports, pushing paper, and jumping through hoops, you know, being the 'chair-borne ranger'. I actually like helping people with their animals and educating clients and helping them be successful with their pets." -SGT Urzua

And with his help, Airmen can keep their pets safe and healthy all summer long. Reporting from Ellsworth Air Force Base, I'm Airman First Class Kate Walker.