Fort Campbell Veterinary Education program Graduate has a love for animals

Written by Staff Sgt. Elysia Wray
Holloman Air Force Base Public Affairs Office

Holloman Air Force Base, NM – Holloman’s newest veterinarian traded in her bicycle cleats for a career serving our military service animals.

U.S. Army Capt. Katherine Lambden is the officer in charge of the Holloman Veterinary Treatment Facility and provides routine care for all military working dogs assigned to Holloman, as well as privately-owned pets. In total, the clinic provides care to approximately 2,700 animals in the area.

Lambden has always had a passion for animals — a passion that has shone through since her arrival here in July 2015.

After competitively cycling for five years prior to coming into the military, she realized that she needed more variety. The veterinary service provides her with just that.

“I don’t do well with focusing on one thing and excluding all others. I like variety in my lifestyle,” said Lambden. “Since variety is what attracted me to veterinary medicine to begin with, the career of being a Veterinary Corps Officer really appealed to me.”

After graduating Tufts University in Central Massachusetts, the mother of two commissioned into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant.

The newly minted 2nd Lt. completed her First Year Graduate Veterinary Education program at Fort Campbell, Kentucky before accepting her assignment to southern New Mexico.

“The FYGVE internship is designed to fill a gap between being able to practice veterinary medicine and being a captain in the military,” said Lambden. “There we become familiar with how to counsel subordinates, how to relate to superiors and military customs and courtesies.”

In 2001, Lambden traveled through New Mexico while completing her first cross-country bike trip. She knew she would be back.

“Passing through the state of New Mexico, I fell in love with the culture and natural beauty of this state,” said Lambden. “I had a gut feeling then that I would be living here in the future.”

Lambden was welcomed to the veterinary clinic here by a highly motivated staff, a great relationship with the Air Force and the friendly interactions of both the animals and their owners.

“I work with an amazing staff. They make my job here so much easier,” said Lambden. “I really feel fortunate that the patients are so amazing, and I appreciate how pet owners take such good care of their animals.”

Lambden enjoys the variety that the Holloman clinic has to offer, but she also has future goals for both herself and the clinic.

“I want to establish a way to start care for the horses here on base,” said Lambden. “I would like to maintain my proficiency with large animal medicine.”

Lambden also plans to support the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol working dogs and horses in the near future.

Lambden and her staff are committed to providing the very best care for their patients and owners.

“I love the small community that Holloman offers. I get to see my patients outside of work, and they make me feel like part of their family.”