From Family Pets to Food Safety, Army Veterinarians Protect the Force

The U.S. Army’s Veterinary Readiness Activity in Italy plays a vital role in military readiness by providing Veterinary care, food safety inspections, and public health support for Army, Navy, and Air Force installations across Europe and beyond. The unit recently welcomed Lt. Col. Mariama Massaquoi-Gartmann as commander, whose own family dog received lifesaving treatment from the team shortly after arriving in Italy. In addition to caring for military working dogs and family pets, the unit inspects food suppliers and products to protect service members from foodborne illness and deploys globally to support military operations.

During Operation Epic Fury, the team helped evacuate and process pets belonging to military families leaving the Middle East and developed improved screening protocols now being adopted more broadly. Over the past two years, the unit handled approximately 22,000 pet visits while continuing to strengthen training, demonstrating the important connection between animal care, family support, and military readiness.