DVIDS – News – Joint Diplomacy Enables Emergency Veterinary Care for Drug Detection Dog; Medical Evacuation from Palau to Guam

ASAN, Guam (April 3, 2023) – Unaware of the worldwide diplomacy and inter-agency coordination associated with her care, K9 Keiko, a Palauan drug detection dog, is seen absorbing sunlight and head scratches from her handlers at the U.S. Naval Base Guam veterinary center on Thursday.

Keiko is a five-year-old Belgian Malinois dog with the Palau Narcotics Enforcement Agency and Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. She is among 8 working dogs offered by the United States to the Republic of Palau under the Building Partner Capacity Program. The program, arranged under 10 USC Section 333, offers a K9 system, regional handler training, and military-grade dog kenneling centers to strengthen drug detection and border security for the island country. Keiko had actually been dealing with Palau considering that 2021, however this March a medical condition needed innovative veterinary care that was not available on the island.

Palau’s nationwide security organizer connected to the U.S. Embassy in Palau and Joint Region Marianas (JRM) asking for innovative veterinary abilities. As the closest U.S. Military Command, JRM was accountable for collaborating the medical evacuation. Harry Elliott, JRM local ecological and worldwide law counsel, explained the complicated worldwide effort to clear the K9’s transfer to the U.S. military vet centers. The procedure included letters, call, and comprehensive coordination of workers throughout several branches of the armed force. “Our ability to coordinate a request like this demonstrates how strong the bonds between these nations are.” Elliott said.

Thanksto the strong coordination amongst the Department of State, JRM, the U.S. CoastGuard 14th District and U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia, Keiko was able tobe air left in an HC-130 Hercules fixed-wing aircraft from U.S. Coast GuardAir Station Barbers Point, Hawaii, within a week of Palau’s ask for help.

Uponarrival in Guam, Keiko was signed in to the veterinary center on U.S. NavalBase Guam (NBG) for diagnostic. Three vets and 6 veterinarytechnicians from U.S. Army Medical Readiness Command (MRC) Pacific provided round-the clock care.

The U.S. Naval Hospital Guam shared their CT scanner and medical knowledge with vets and the NBG Apra Harbor Clinic physical treatment department has actually provided after-hours access to the care group in order for Keiko to utilize the rehab centers. With the assistance of many behind her, Keiko appears to be restoring her health.

“We have seen a marked improvement in her condition” Says Col. Stephen Cassle, the MRC Pacific leader supervising Keiko’s healthcare. “She got her appetite back and is already much more alert and engaged. We are starting to see that Belgian Malinois energy again, which is a good sign.”

The area’s senior military authorities, JRM Commander Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, visited for a spirits go to at the veterinarian center as quickly as Keiko was healthy enough. Despite medical dressings and the haze of prescription antibiotics, Keiko welcomed her visitor with a smell. A blue and yellow medical wrap developed to look like the Palau flag might be seen on the dog’s front paw as Nicholson took a knee to welcome the four-legged client.

“I’m so sorry you’re not feeling good. But all of us are here to make sure you feel better again soon, ok? We are going to make sure you feel like yourself again, whatever it takes.” Nicholson said, offering Keiko some encouraging family pets.

Nicholson went on to discuss her diagnosis with her care group and thank them for their dedication to the dog’s care.

“Thank you for all your expertise, I’m happy to see her perking up. This was really a massive joint effort – I mean every branch of the military was here for her from the Coast Guard to the Army to the Navy. Our working dog program is an essential part of our relationship with Palau, and I want to thank you all for being a part of that.” Nicholson informed the veterinary care group.

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