HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Dr. Heather Mazzaccaro performs a routine exam on Chloe as Staff Sgt. Robert Parrot assists at the new veterinary clinic Jan. 22. The clinic recently relocated to Building 1217 after damage from a storm caused mold to form in the original location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mark Wyatt)
by Sarah Olaciregui
66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
1/23/2013 - HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The Hanscom Veterinary Treatment Facility reopened in a new location this week. The new location in Building 1217 is across the street from the old facility.
The clinic's hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Customers are asked to enter the VTF from east entrance and not the main entrance.
The clinic closed in its old location in Building 1219 in December due to mold and potential health hazards to pets and humans. Drywall along the south wall of Building 1219 was visibly wet with a strong mold smell immediately after Hurricane Sandy. Several structural inspections were conducted on the building that verified the roof required replacement. A second inspection, testing for mold throughout the building, was conducted. The inspection verified the presence of several types of mold.
Officials made sure there were no dangers posed to pets or humans by covering the drywall with plastic sheeting to reduce the possibility of mold spores getting into the air. The rooms affected were closed and sealed off and customers did not have access to these areas. The concern was mainly for the personnel working in the building. Building 1219 will be demolished sometime in the future.
Following the closure, VTF officials worked with civil engineering on a new location. After a building was identified, staff made sure it was compliant with various veterinary clinic standards before services began.
The vet clinic was already slated to be relocated in spring of 2014. The installation has approved the renovation of Building 1216, currently the Airman's Attic, for the VTF. Construction is scheduled to begin in October 2013.
For further information or to schedule an appointment at the vet clinic, call 781-225-2772.
