Students receive training and familiarization with all facets of the Army veterinary/public health program. They are mentored by an Active Duty veterinary officer and are rotated through 1-4 veterinary clinics operated by the Public Health Activity. They are exposed to preventive veterinary medicine with privately owned animals, as well as surgical procedures with both canine and feline patients. In addition, they are exposed to the veterinary food safety aspects of the Army mission. They accompany a veterinary food safety officer to both military food establishments, as well as commercial vendors supplying food to the military and conduct facility inspections and food safety audits.
The Public Health Activity-Hawaii has four veterinary officers with various levels or experience and expertise. We operate two major veterinary clinics and two smaller veterinary clinics, supporting both the active duty military community, as well as the local military retirement community. Clinics are resourced to be able to handle any form of emergency that may occur with a military working dog, to include diagnostic equipment and many of the major surgical resources that may be required. The food safety mission is supported by a senior food safety officer, as well as a staff of veterinary food inspectors, again constituting various levels of experience and expertise.
The majority of duty will consist of a standard eight hour duty day/five day work week. However, students should be prepared to be available to attend any type of emergency and provide support to any other veterinary situation that requires their assistance or will benefit them through experience. Each student will shadow an active duty veterinary officer and will be expected to demonstrate proficiency under the supervision of this veterinarian.
No cost student housing is NOT available. However, each student will be expected to be an enrollee in the U.S. Army Veterinary Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP) and will be attending training on Active Duty Training orders. This should entitle them to reimbursement for any lodging expenses that may be incurred while attending training.