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Show 1111 M E S July 12, 2012 JST FIX THAT ur BY MARY Lou 7 GORNY Hilltop Times editor C apt. Johnathan Schubert, 75th Dental Squadron, found himself facing the longest tooth he had ever worked on when Military Working Dog HHouston was carried in to one of his treatment rooms Monday, July 9. HHouston had already had an extraction of one canine tooth, one of the four largest in a dog's mouth, and the potential loss of a second such canine tooth would effectively stop the young dog's military service. "This is an exceptionally good dog," said Army Veterinarian Dr. Melanie Swartz as she watched from the hallway midway during the procedure. She and her veterinarian technician had administered a sedative injection and placed an IV to HHouston as he quieted down at the veterinarian clinic. His handler, Staff Sgt. Eric Magnuson had carried him in to the Dental Clinic where Swartz and technician Raquel Harris then administered an anesthetic agent via his IV, and maintained him on gas anesthesia. "We are doing everything we can (to save the tooth)," said Swartz. "Ultimately he may end up losing it later in life but we're doing everything we can to save the tooth so he can do his job. He's quite young; he's not even three yet." Dr. Schubert has had an interest in animal dentistry student ever since his first year in dental school when he heard a presentation on the subject by a guest lecturer who had performed dentistry on Siegfried and Roy's tigers. "This is my first time working on a canine," explained Dr. Schubert before the procedure. "I am very interested in veterinary dentistry and in being involved in it whenever we have an opportunity." He happened to be the lucky person in the room when Dr. Swartz first approached the 75th Dental Squadron about the possibility of such a procedure for MWD HHouston. In anticipating the procedure, Dr. Schubert explained, "Logistically, it is somewhat difficult — getting the vet involved, getting the working dog into the clinic, getting the dog anesthetized and induced, and then in terms of our job, (our) working on a military working dog — they have longer teeth, their anatomy is a little bit dif- ALEX R. LLOYD/U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. David Rash, 309th Maintenance Wing, carefully measures and cuts a carpet square to size for an Airman Leadership School self-help project. Rash was one of many volunteers who helped with the manual labor required. Project enhances the professional image of the ALS through self-help BY MARY Lou GORNY Hilltop Times editor W ALEX R. LLOYD/U.S. Air Force Capt. Johnathan Schubert works on Military Working Dog HHouston as Dental Assistant Lisa Howells stands ready to assist. HHouston has already lost one canine tooth, the largest teeth in a dog's mouth, and another canine tooth was in need of a root canal. Army Veterinarian Dr. Melanie Swartz approached the Hill Air Force Base Dental Clinic for help so the young Air Force 75th Security Forces military working dog could be helped without a long trip to Colorado. Schubert happened to be present and responded enthusiastically. ferent and they're going to a heating pad sandwiched in more crowded with the be positioned in the chair between. anticipated arrival of the differently. This creates a "When they're sedated veterinarian, her assistant, situation where something their body temperature the MWD handler, a K9 canas easy as a simple radiodrops," said Lisa Howells, didate Staff Sgt. Matthew graph (X-rays), becomes dental assistant. "So that's Lamarand and of course more challenging." why they have this (hot waMWD HHouston. The dental chair awaiting ter blanket) to keep the body Dr. Schubert explained HHouston, one of the dental temp up." some of the tools would be chairs in which humans Assisting the dentist larger than they used on lay prone, was covered in would be Howells and people. He pointed to the plastic, then with blankets, a Tiffiny George. See MWD I page 8 special canine stretcher with The room would be even hen faced with shredding carpets, duct taped areas and tripping hazards with lots of distinguished visitors dropping by, personnel at the Airman Leadership School (ALS) submitted a request for an unfunded project in order to fix the problem. Upon learning that the request had not been approved, leaders at the school sat down as a group and talked with their facility manager, Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Martin. An electronic form 332 was submitted, they talked to a former Self-Help employee, and within three days, they had two rooms with newly installed carpet and baseboards. ALS provided the labor with the help of 309th Maintenance Wing volunteers. Depending on how you figure labor costs, at 12 people working nonstop for 12 hours for three days, you could guess they saved the base, approximately $33,000. The ALS group figures it could be less than that because professional laborers might have worked a bit faster, but their volunteers were pretty eager and very capable. The first day the classrooms had to be removed of all desks and furniture. Then 75th Civil Engineer personnel helped out by ripping out the carpet and removing the baseboards in the two classrooms approved for the project. Any time you disturb a structure or foundation there is the potenSee SELF-HELP I page 9 New day trips, family trips offered through Outdoor Recreation Y KATINA L VENTURA Hilltop Times staff 0 utdoor Recreation (ODR) offers a wide variety of fun ways to enjoy beautiful Utah sites. "Whether you're looking for a day trip, planning a family vacation, or carving out a new trail to climb, bike or hike ODR has something for you," said Recreation Specialist Jason Smurthwaite. Local day trips are one of the best ways to enjoy Utah's beautiful scenery, and float down a river during the hot summer. "If you call us by close of business on Thursday, July 12, we can get you registered for our Weber River Rafting Trip. It's a great day trip and really a lot of fun," Smurthwaite continued. "We will leave at 3 p.m. on July 13 for a day of whitewater rafting down the Weber River." The Weber provides plenty of exciting Class II rapids for everyone. Expect to get wet on this stretch of water. The cost for this trip is $55 for adults and $40 for children. There is a safety weight limit of at least 35 pounds for children. Smurthwaite said, "For those who miss this trip, they'll get one last opportunity this summer. We're going to run the Weber River Rafting Trip again on Aug. 17," said Smurthwaite. Another great day trip is the Causey Reservoir Kayak/Canoe Trip. "We'll leave at 3 p.m. on July 19 for our first run at Causey," said Smurthwaite. Causey is quite a small reservoir and the kayak/canoe trip is a fascinating, cozy paddle for anyone looking for a nice day trip. Causey has beautiful scenery and great fishing (license required). Paddling down the walls of the canyons that climb to more than 100 feet allow a moment in quiet serenity. The cost is $20 per person for a canoe and $30 per person for a kayak which includes transportation and a trip leader. "This is a great day trip for those who like to fish. If you miss it the first time around you want to be sure to catch it on Aug. 11, for your last chance this summer," said Smurthwaite. "We also have a family trip coming up July 20 through 22, it's the High Uintas Family Camping Trip and it's a killer deal," said Smurthwaite. "The cost includes transportation, tents, canoes, kayaks, breakfast, dinner and a trip leader all for $200." The Green River Float and Fish July 27 through 29 provides clear, emerald waters that support a large population of trout, with rainbows being more common just below the dam and browns dominating downstream. Float the section just below Flaming Gorge Dam that is a world-renowned fly fishing stream. Fish and raft from just below the dam to Little Hole with multiple trips down this stretch. This trip provides fishing action and mellow rafting. Sign up before July 13 and tents are included. Minimum age is 7 years old. Costs are $170 for adults, $250 for couples and $350 for a family of 4 ($50 for each additional person). Trip includes transportation, trip leader, campground fees, rafts and boats and dinner Saturday night. (Fishing gear is also available at ODR). Check out the options ODR has for you to create your own adventures. "A group of friends, co-workers, wings or any group that decides they want to do an activity together can design a trip with the help from one of the trained trip leaders. The cost is based on the size of the group and only limited by your imagination, so the possibilities are endless," said Smurthwaite. ODR has many more adventures planned throughout the summer. For information please call 801-777-2225. |