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Show L7fIlVI ES May 26 2011 11 Taking 'paws in the park AIRMAN 1ST CLASS MELISSA DEARSTONE/U.S. Air Force Above, "Chloe" came with her owner to the "Bark in the Park" on May 20 as owners talked to the U.S. Army veterinarian on base and others about their pets. The Boston Terrier is owned by Kayla Webster, a military family member. Left, "Zeus" and his owner, Dan Peter, of the 571st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, picked up goodies at the park. Peter said he takes Zeus, a bull mastiff, many places to help him stay active and to teach him to be more social with people and other animals. Varied focus for U.S. Army veterinarians at Hill BY MARY Lou GORNY Hilltop Times editor M "The number one health problem we see is obesity. They can't feed themselves so if they're fat obviously, we're the ones that need to help make that change." MELANIE SWARTZ, doctor of veterinary medicine, chief, Hill Veterinary Services, U.S. Army embers of Team Hill who dropped by Centennial Park with or without their furry friends for "Bark in the Park" got the chance to chat with Melanie Swartz, doctor of veterinary medicine, chief, Hill Veterinary Services. "We see more dogs than cats, depending on the season," Swartz said, when asked about the types of animals requiring her attention. "When it's kitten season, we'll see more kittens," she said. Army veterinarians have traditionally and predominantly been food inspectors, Swartz said. "That's our number one mission," she said. They'll inspect food products like ice cream bars, local water products and soft drinks. "I'm always a veterinarian," she said, listing duties that include the care of animals on base including "Cookie" the guinea pig at the Childhood Development Center and the 75th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dogs. "I do inspect the base stables and I board my horse out there," she said, adding that all horse owners there have agreed to keep their horses in house, as have many owners in most Western states in order to keep the chances of spreading or infecting animals with Equine Herpes Virus-1. The voluntary action is acting much like a quarantine and can be effective along with other preventative measures such as the vaccination programs Hill has at the base stables. "I inspect all the animal facilities on this base and multiple military installations, both Army and Air Force in Utah and Montana," she said. "I'm not assigned to just Hill Air Force Base. Our veterinarians here at Hill Air Force Base are Army and our HQ is Fort Carson, (Colorado). We inspect base stables, CDCs and MWD kennels here and at Malmstrom Air Force Base, (Montana)." When asked about what types of duties Army veterinarians might see in Japan and other places after recent disasters, she said, "Army veterinarians stationed in Japan are dealing with (the disaster's effects on pets) and the food issues. We've looked very closely at both milk and spinach and have determined that most of the food there is safe. The Army veterinarians that are stationed there all the time that are looking at that kind of stuff," quickly adding that there are many top notch people there conducting See PETS I page 14 Try your hand at growing your own vegetables on Hill plots BY KRISTA STARKER Hilltop Times correspondent G ardening is almost impossible when all you have is sand with which to use. Maybe that's why Gayle Sisson, who moved to Utah after living on the Oregon coast for 13 years, is so passionate about being able to grow her own fresh fruit and vegetables. "Nothing says good food like a tomato fresh out of the garden," said Sisson. With the rising price of produce and rising concerns about the quality of food, many have begun looking for healthier alternatives. This has led many to start growing their own homegrown produce. Sisson and others on base have been able to grow their own gardens for the last 15 years, thanks to the garden plots located on the west side beyond the horse stables. "I have eight of them myself," said Brock Lenox, base garden plot manager. "I always save seeds and now I have a large seed bank so I can always have seeds to grow." There are currently 121 plots still available for rental. Each plot is around 40 feet by 20 feet in size and costs $10 a year, which pays for water. Due to the location there are some problems with deer and other small animals eating the crops, so growing corn is cautioned, but people are welcome to put up small fences to stop them. "I planted a lot of flowers around the perimeter so hopefully the animals get their fill before they get to the crops," said Sisson. "The deer also like to eat the tops of my tomato plants so we put up a barricade and hopefully that will take care of it." If you're interested in purchasing a plot but not sure what to grow, Sisson has many ideas. "I myself am growing tomatoes, peas, cucumber, watermelon, cantaloupe, potatoes, peppers, broccoli , lettuce, celery root, parsnips, basil and much more," Sisson said. Anyone interested in signing up for a garden plot or to learn more, please contact Brock Lennox at brock.lenox@hill.af.mil |