Vets in Iraq
Veterinarians, that would be. It’s not something that springs to mind when you talk about economic recovery but agriculture is a huge part of the economy of Iraq, Afghanistan or any other country including the United States.
Iraqi Army and Multi-National Division – Center Soldiers conducted a Veterinarian Civil Action Program in the Fetoah area, approximately 15 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, July 14.
Iraqi Soldiers from the 23rd Brigade, 17th Iraqi Army Division and the 411th Civil Affairs Battalion assisted Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team,101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) during the program.
The VETCAP provided vaccinations, and internal and external pesticide treatments for the animals of local farmers who are currently without veterinary care or are unable to afford such services.
A local Iraqi veterinarian worked closely with Maj. Freddie Zink, 445th Civil Affairs Battalion and MND-C veterinarian, to treat more than 200 sheep and 20 cattle from two local farms in the Fetoah area.
“I appreciate the medicine for my animals,” said Hadi Sloobi Muthawer, a local farmer. “It is very good to have the assistance. [IA and CF] are doing a good job. This is a very important thing to our people.”
“Normally, they would bring animals to a centralized location, but eventually we got word it would be easier for us to move around to other areas, because it was harder for them to bring the animals to us due to them being so spread out,” said Capt. Eric Allen Morton, a 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. company commander.
“The plan for future events like these is to give whatever vaccinations are left over to the Iraqi veterinarian for him to use the product and go out and charge people to do their animals,” said Zink. “Eventually, the goal is for the veterinarian to become self-sufficient and use that money to buy more vaccines.”
“It’s hard work and hot work, but I get a lot of self-satisfaction out of seeing the mission accomplished and seeing the farmers happy,” said Zink, “but I think it’s even better seeing Coalition forces and the IA build a relationship with the local farmers and Iraqi people in the area.”
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