Veterinarians work behind the scenes during inauguration

Veterinarians with the U.S. Public Health Service and Army Veterinary Corps were on duty Jan. 20 during the presidential inauguration. 

The USPHS veterinarians were part of a multidisciplinary readiness force that provided health surveillance and made preparations for any major medical emergency. The Veterinary Corps joined the Humane Society of the United States and other groups in providing support for about 200 parade horses and 150 working dogs. Corps veterinarians also assisted in ensuring food safety for more than 45 inaugural balls and more than 4,000 private vendors.

Above: Cmdrs. Jacquin Jones, a nurse, and Martin F. Kriete, a veterinarian, pose in front of the Capitol. They were partners on one of the USPHS teams that covered zones of the National Mall looking for visitors in need of medical care. Other USPHS veterinarians helped with precautions such as setting up a distribution point for antimicrobials in case of a release of anthrax and setting up an emergency room in a federal building in case of an overflow from hospitals.

Below: Capts. Amos K. Peterson and Jessica L. Morehouse of the Veterinary Corps tend to a horse that sustained injuries before the inaugural parade. A noise had startled the horse, Mouse, who kicked a truck behind him and lodged a hoof in the grill. The HSUS then alerted Army veterinarians, who stabilized Mouse for transport and additional treatment.