Advancing Military Working Dog Casualty Care Capability: Defense Health Agency Veterinary Service Support to the Joint Force.

The Department of Defense (DoD) trauma enterprise enables delivery and management of trauma care across the DoD, with the Joint Trauma System serving as the reference body for that trauma care. In collaboration with other Directorates within the Defense Health Agency, the Defense Health Agency Veterinary Service (DHA VS) Division aims to advance and inform military working dog (MWD) casualty care. Efforts have included standardized care documentation, casualty care guidelines, an MWD Trauma Registry, a capabilities-based assessment, and blood and blood products support. A coordinated, informed MWD casualty care system will improve MWD trauma outcomes and preserve the MWD team capability for the Joint Force commander. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]