MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- The smell of a chemical cleaner lingers in the room and stings my nose as I enter. The bright fluorescent lights cast a harsh shadow on everything in sight. The tile floor feels especially cold against my exposed feet. My nose finds a mat of peanut butter and I almost don’t feel the needle slip under my skin. I let out a yelp and feel the arms of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kaitlyn Coble, 22nd Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, wrap around my body.
“Good boy, that's a good boy,” Coble says. “You’re okay, Jjago.”
She strokes my side as the needle is pulled out of my leg. The man wielding the deadly weapon pats me on the head. I’ve met him before, U.S. Army Sgt. Joshua Bird, Veterinary Readiness Activity, McConnell Air Force Base Section animal care specialist. He comes to our kennels, or we come here, and is always poking, prodding or petting us.
There’s a new woman here though, Jennifer Kristek, McConnell Air Force Base’s veterinarian.
Normally, we go in the truck for a long time to get poked, prodded and petted by different people with the never-ending supply of peanut butter. There hasn't been a veterinarian at home in quite some time.
Kristek spreads more peanut butter onto my mat and I resume my efforts of licking up every last atom of it.
“I wanted to be able to give back even though I couldn’t join the military,” Kristek said. “There hasn't been a vet at McConnell in about a year, so I was excited to work here and give that convenience back to the military working dogs and military families.”
The veterinary office on base offers services to service members' pets including health certificates required for certain assignments, regular vaccinations and checkups.
“We’re hoping to get another part-time vet so we are able to help more families and have better availability,” Kristek said. “I enjoy being able to help service members and keep their pets healthy.”
If military members want to schedule their pet for an appointment or inquire about available services, they can contact the veterinary clinic at (316) 759-5910.