A round of a paws for Team Misawa vet clinic

Amanda Douglas, the 35th Aerospace Medicine Squadron and Public Health Activity Japan veterinary operations assistant, checks in a patient for their appointment in the veterinary clinic at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 5, 2017. To make appointments with the veterinary clinic call DSN 226-4502. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sadie Colbert)

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A round of a paws for Team Misawa vet clinic

Dr. Sayuri Iwaki, a 35th Aerospace Medicine Squadron and Public Health Activity Japan veterinary contractor, listens to the heartbeat of Rosie, owned by U.S. Air Force Maj. Justin Read, the 35th Medical Operations Squadron pharmacy operations chief, during a veterinary appointment at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 5, 2017. The clinic takes care of between 2,000 and 2,500 pets during the year. Along with spaying and neutering, the vets offer treatments for diseases and other medical conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sadie Colbert)

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A round of a paws for Team Misawa vet clinic

U.S. Air Force Maj. Justin Read, the 35th Medical Operations Squadron pharmacy operations chief, holds his dog, Rosie, during a veterinary appointment at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 5, 2017. Rosie went in for her routine checkup and vaccinations. The clinic also offers other services like spaying, neutering and teeth cleaning. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sadie Colbert)

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A round of a paws for Team Misawa vet clinic

Vaccinations for rabies, worms and bordetella sit on a board in the veterinary clinic at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 5, 2017. Misawa’s vet clinic requires all residential pets to have vaccines, microchips and updated medical records. Japan is a rabies-free country, which is why clinic staff stress the importance of the vaccinations by making it an annual requirement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sadie Colbert)

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A round of a paws for Team Misawa vet clinic

Rosie, owned by U.S. Air Force Maj. Justin Read, the 35th Medical Operations Squadron pharmacy operations chief, receives a rabies vaccination at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 5, 2017. Pets must receive the shots annually as a preventative measure from obtaining the disease. When pets need overnight or emergency care, the clinic helps patients with referrals to off base vet clinics. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sadie Colbert)

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A round of a paws for Team Misawa vet clinic

Dr. Sayuri Iwaki, a 35th Aerospace Medicine Squadron and Public Health Activity Japan veterinary contractor, looks through a Nikon Eclipse E200 microscope in the veterinary clinic at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 5, 2017. Iwaki examined the ear wax of a canine to determine the cause of an ear infection. Although their patients consist of base resident pets, the clinic’s primary mission is tending to military working dogs, ensuring they are capable of deploying at a moment’s notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sadie Colbert)

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A round of a paws for Team Misawa vet clinic

Dr. Sayuri Iwaki, a 35th Aerospace Medicine Squadron and Public Health Activity Japan veterinary contractor, holds Rosie, owned by U.S. Air Force Maj. Justin Read, the 35th Medical Operations Squadron pharmacy operations chief, after administering her shots. To make appointments with the clinic, call DSN 226-4502. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sadie Colbert)

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A round of a paws for Team Misawa vet clinic

U.S. Air Force Maj. Justin Read, the 35th Medical Operations Squadron pharmacy operations chief, looks into the eyes of his dog, Rosie, during a veterinary appointment at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 5, 2017. Along with Rosie, Read brought his other dog, Ella, to receive routine vaccinations and a checkup. To make appointments with the veterinary clinic call DSN 226-4502. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sadie Colbert)

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A round of a paws for Team Misawa vet clinic

U.S. Army Capt. Samuel Smith, the 35th Aerospace Medicine Squadron and Public Health Activity Japan veterinarian officer in charge, waits for Calvin to wake up from sedation in the veterinary clinic at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 5, 2017. Calvin underwent a neutering procedure to prevent accidental reproduction. Along with spaying and neutering, the vets offer treatments for diseases and other medical conditions. (U. S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sadie Colbert)

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A round of a paws for Team Misawa vet clinic

Published April 12, 2017
By Airman 1st Class Sadie Colbert
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --

Pets are considered family for many military members, and when they need care, Misawa residents can take them to the base veterinary clinic for treatments.

“A lot of members here have pets and we consider them our family members like we would children,” said U.S. Army Capt. Samuel Smith, the 35th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Public Health Activity Japan shop veterinarian officer in charge. “The 35th Medical Group is here to keep service members and their families well. We are here to keep their pets in good health.”

Smith added just as there are diseases transferable from humans to pets, the possibility of a disease transferring from a pet to people is still present, making the job crucial for the overall health of the base.

To schedule an appointment with the veterinary clinic, call DSN 226-4502.