Furry healthcare for military families

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ethan Morgan
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Although healthcare is an ongoing issue in most households, Team Mildenhall's furry family members don't have to stress because the RAF Feltwell Veterinary Clinic is here to make their 'doctor's' visit as easy and cost-efficient as possible.

The clinic's goal is to provide the best quality service to pets, at the lowest cost possible to their owners.

The clinic bases their fees on an at-cost basis. Though the costs are down, pet owners won't see any faltering in the quality of service they provide.

The clinic is open Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Additionally, monthly evening and weekend clinics are offered in an effort to increase access to care.

Despite providing veterinary needs to all U.S. forces in the United Kingdom, the clinic's goal is to still try to see each patient within a one- to two-week period. The veterinary clinic hosts a remote clinic visit to RAFs Alconbury, Croughton and Menwith Hill each quarter to save members from making a trip to RAF Feltwell for their pet's care.

Each veterinarian is qualified and licensed to not only provide treatment to pets, but also to issue European Union pet passports for travel through EU countries and health certificates for permanent change of stations. Services provided are basic wellness care (including vaccines), nail trims, blood work, minor sick calls, mass removals and basic surgeries such as spays, neuters and dental cleanings.

"We try to make the pet as comfortable as possible when preparing them for surgery," said Dr. Amber Acker-Sanborn, veterinarian. "Everyone wants to be made as comfortable as possible when facing a surgery, and we want to provide that same comfort to the pets when they have surgery as well."

Working to provide the best quality care as possible, the facility, staff and equipment play a big part. With up-to-date equipment and quality medicine, the clinic strives to make each patient's visit and stay as pleasant and stress-free as possible.

"I think that a true love of animals is so important when working here." said Kaitie May, veterinary technician, "Our staff is amazing; we are like one big family, and work so well together as a team. Everyone on our staff thinks that the care of the animal is the most important thing to them."