407th Civil Affairs Battalion, Mamadia Iraq

veterinarian

Capt. Kanake, a veterinarian with the 407th Civil Affairs Battalion, checks and treats local sheep for the Iraqi people in Mamadia Iraq, on March 31, 2005. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ronald Shaw Jr.)

MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq - Captain Katherine M. Knake has wanted to be a veterinarian since she was 8 years old. Now the native of Arden Hills, Minn., is a veterinarian with A Company, 407th Civil Affairs Battalion, 256th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, stationed in Mahmudiyah, Iraq. As part of a civil affairs team, she helps local farmers by examining their animals and administering medicine with her on-hand supplies.

On April 2, she went on a mission that included a lot more than veterinary care. Her day started with a pre-patrol briefing, where the vehicles were prepared for the day’s missions and rehearsals were conducted.

Part of her checks included packing medicines and supplies into her aid bag and cooler. Unable to carry large amounts, she was forced to select a specific animal type and stock up for each mission. Her choice for that day was for sheep and goats. It was almost six hours into the patrol before she found a suitable herd of sheep and goats.

After the interpreter explained to a local resident what the Soldiers were there to do, he was more than happy to allow their help. His herd of 133 sheep and goats were de-wormed and several were given shots for mange. While giving out medicine, Knake was also conducting a health assessment of the herd, identifying any possible diseases or herd issues.

Knake is a mobilized Reservist halfway through her eight-month rotation. She has been in Iraq since November. As a civilian, she is a small-animal veterinarian, but works on just about any size while deployed. Knake is a 2001 graduate of the Texas A&M Veterinarian School, and joined the Army while still in high school. She says that in the 13 years of being associated with the military, she doesn’t regret it for a minute.

Knake’s work at Mahmudiyah is part of Task Force Baghdad’s effort to assist Iraqi citizens with essential services as the country continues to gain political and economic momentum in the wake of the Jan. 30 elections. Other essential services include sewer, water and electric projects which are rebuilding critical infrastructures all around the nation.

SOURCE: United States Central Command and multinational force-iraq Text for release and opsec review provided by the TASK FORCE BAGHDAD Public Affairs Office. contact david.abrams@id3.army.mil . Release #050408g