Soldier lands dream job of caring for pets at Army clinic

Army Staff Sgt. Valerie Garvin said she always had a love and desire for caring for animals and dreamed of working with animals after her high school graduation and finding employment in the field of veterinary services, a recent article on the Defense Department's website said.

After deciding not to pursue college and instead enlisting in the Army, the Ohio native said she found a special place to use her desires and talents, the article said.

Garvin said that when she became aware of a possible job of working with animals at the Joint Base Andrews Clinic, she worked her hardest to make sure she was the one who got the position. “Once I knew this job was along the lines of my future goal, I tried my hardest to work with my recruiter to obtain it,” Garvin said.

Now, after 19 years of caring for animals, Garvin said she is thankful for her education and the experience of meeting clients. “My day can consist of urine, feces, scratches and bites. The job can be demanding and challenging, but can also be very rewarding. Whenever I help a pet that is sick, the owner becomes so grateful for the care provided. My favorite part of my job is interacting with my clients,” Garvin said.

Garvin said her day-to-day duties include checking in animals for appointments, taking vitals, running lab tests, restraining animals and assisting the veterinarian, the article said. She said the clinic keeps her busy with their holdings of 30-40 dogs at a time and that she is usually one of the specialists the pets see first.

In addition to serving government-owned canines, the clinic welcomes care for the pets of active service members.