Innovative simulators improve care for military working dogs

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chelsea Browning
  • 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --  An innovative design to four canine manikins is helping the 341st Training Squadron provide a more realistic training course for MWD handlers. The simulators better prepare them to save the lives of their companions if needed.

MWDs are used in many ways on the battlefield. Because of their tremendous impact, providing immediate, life-saving care when an animal suffers injuries downrange is critical to the success of the mission. MWD handlers and their dogs often deploy to hostile environments where veterinary services are not readily available, said Mark Tuazon, 59th MDW Simulation Center medical simulation specialist.

"Canines have their own distinct anatomy and physiology, which is vastly different from human patients. This leaves the majority of veterinary care in the hands of the MWD handler when a dog is injured," Tuazon said.

Tech. Sgt. Richard Maricle, 341st Training Squadron instructor who helps train Department of Defense military working dogs, also teaches their handlers the emergency veterinary care skills they may need to save their dog. He recognized a need for more realistic training and presented the canine manikin project to Tuazon and his team.

Tuazon repurposed the simulators, which were inadequate and scheduled to be destroyed. The new canine simulators are the first their kind to be used in the DOD.

"The mannequins can simulate many battlefield injuries including abdominal wounds, fractures, penetrating wounds and open chest injuries. Handlers can also practice starting an intravenous line," Tuazon said.

"We were using antiquated stuffed animal simulators that provided limited realism for combat injuries," Maricle said. "Now with the new canine simulators, we can mimic actual injuries and provide a more realistic model for proper wound and injury management."