Luke Air Force Base Veterinary Service

- 13725 Lightning, Glendale, AZ 85307

For the dedicated military community and their families stationed or retired in the greater Phoenix area, the Luke Air Force Base (AFB) Veterinary Service stands as a crucial resource for pet wellness. Located conveniently on base in Glendale, this facility is designed to support the unique needs of military life, offering essential and affordable veterinary care primarily for the family cats and dogs of active-duty, reserve, and retired service members and their dependents.

The core mission of the Luke AFB Veterinary Service, which is professionally staffed by U.S. Army Veterinary Corps personnel, is two-fold: first and foremost, the total care of the government-owned animals, such as the vital Military Working Dogs (MWDs). Secondly, they extend their expertise to provide a range of routine preventive and general sick call services for private companion animals. This dedication is a fundamental component of the support services on base, helping to ensure the well-being of military families and their furry companions.

In a dynamic environment like the military, where Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves are a frequent reality, the clinic provides an invaluable, specialized service: the preparation and issuance of pet travel health certificates. This specialized support is often cited by patrons as a life-saver during tight moving timelines, making the clinic an indispensable resource for service members navigating the logistics of moving their beloved pets, whether across state lines or overseas.

The facility recently underwent a significant upgrade with a move to a larger, more capable building. This expansion moves the clinic beyond being a solely preventative care location into a more functional sick call facility. While they do not provide emergency services, hospitalization, or major surgery, this improved capability allows them to offer more advanced diagnostics, such as radiographs and ultrasounds, ensuring pets receive higher-quality basic care without the need to immediately seek off-base resources for every ailment.

The Luke Air Force Base Veterinary Service is situated on the base in Glendale, Arizona. Access is restricted to authorized personnel—active-duty, reserve, and retired military members and their dependents who possess valid base access. The facility's location is centralized to serve the on-base community and is easily accessible for those living in the West Valley suburbs of Phoenix.

• Address: 13725 Lightning, Glendale, AZ 85307, USA (Located in Building 1107).

Key accessibility and planning information for visitors:

• Planning: Appointments are highly recommended due to the clinic's specialized mission and high demand. It is essential to call ahead, especially for critical needs like travel certificates.
• Access Restriction: Services are generally restricted to cats and dogs owned by active-duty, reserve, and retired military personnel and their dependents.
• Parking and Accessibility: On-site parking is available. The facility has confirmed accessibility features, including a Wheelchair accessible entrance, Wheelchair accessible parking lot, and a Wheelchair accessible restroom, ensuring a welcoming environment for all patrons.
• Pet Registration: All pets residing in on-base housing are required to be registered with the Veterinary Service within 10 working days of arrival.

The clinic provides focused, high-quality preventive medicine and routine health services for cats and dogs. Their offerings are tailored to the typical requirements of pet ownership and military life, with an emphasis on preventive medicine and travel readiness.

Core veterinary services include:

• Preventive Medicine:
  • Vaccinations: All required and essential core vaccines for both dogs and cats, including Rabies, Distemper/Parvo (5-in-1), Bordetella, and Feline Leukemia.
  • Parasite Control: Heartworm testing and prevention, as well as testing for and control of common parasites.
  • Feline Retroviral Testing: Screening for Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).
• Routine Sick Call and Diagnostics:
  • General Sick Call: Examination and treatment for common, non-emergency ailments such as minor skin issues, ear infections, and basic illnesses (limited based on clinic capabilities).
  • Diagnostics: Basic diagnostic services, which now include X-rays (radiographs) and Ultrasound, following the move to the new facility.
  • Wellness Exams: Routine check-ups and physical examinations, which are a necessary part of the preventive and general sick call process.
• Specialized PCS / Travel Services:
  • Pet Travel Health Certificates: Preparation and issuance of official health certificates for both domestic and international travel (PCS moves), a critical service for military families relocating.
  • Microchipping: For permanent identification, a requirement for many travel destinations and crucial for pet safety.

The value of the Luke AFB Veterinary Service is rooted in its unique position within the military community, offering a blend of professional expertise and mission support.

• Dedicated Military Service: The clinic's primary focus is supporting the health of the military community's pets, which is a significant factor in morale and readiness. They often treat pets like family, reflecting the ethos of military support services.
• Affordability: Rates for routine services are often cited as being lower than those of traditional off-base veterinary offices, making essential care more accessible for military families.
• Specialization in PCS/Travel: The facility is highly experienced and specifically equipped to handle the complex and time-sensitive requirements for pet travel documentation and health certificates, which is a major benefit for service members on a tight PCS schedule.
• Upgraded Facility and Capabilities: The recent move to a new building has expanded the services beyond basic preventative care to include basic sick call, radiographs, and ultrasound, enhancing their ability to treat more complex non-emergency issues in-house.
• Professional Army Veterinary Corps Staff: Pet owners receive care from veterinary professionals whose primary mission is the health and welfare of government animals, ensuring a high standard of professional discipline and care.
• Accessibility Amenities: The facility's commitment to accessibility is evident with confirmed features such as a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, and restroom, ensuring convenience for all eligible patrons.
• Mission-Focused Care: The clinical approach is not for profit, but rather to serve the community, which fosters a sense of trust and personalized attention for the pet and the owner.

To schedule an appointment or to inquire about the specific hours of operation, especially for pet travel requirements, please use the following contact details. Note that hours are typically restricted to Monday through Friday business hours and appointments are strongly recommended.

• Clinic Address: 13725 Lightning, Glendale, AZ 85307, USA
• Phone: (623) 856-6354
• Mobile Phone: +1 623-856-6354

Choosing the Luke Air Force Base Veterinary Service is an important decision for eligible military personnel and their families in the Arizona region, offering benefits that are uniquely tailored to their lifestyle. The facility provides an essential service at a highly competitive rate, which is a significant financial relief for those dependent on military wages.

The most compelling reason to utilize this service is its specialized support for military transitions. As noted by patrons, the ability to obtain necessary rabies shots and critical pet travel health certificates on a tight timeline is invaluable during a PCS move. This critical administrative and medical support simplifies one of the most stressful aspects of military relocation.

However, users should be aware of the "Wellness Exam" fee for each visit. While the fee for a Wellness Exam—which includes scanning the microchip, taking the temperature, and checking vital signs—is standard for a physical check, frequent visits within a short period, such as for a series of initial shots, will incur this charge each time. This policy, while sometimes frustrating to patrons who visit frequently, ensures that a veterinarian physically checks the pet's current health status before any treatment or vaccination, which is a critical safety protocol.

Ultimately, for active-duty, reserve, and retired military members, the Luke Air Force Base Veterinary Service is a trusted, professional, and resource-friendly option for routine and preventive pet care. It represents a pillar of support for the health of both the working animals and the beloved companion animals that make up the military family in Glendale, Arizona.

Luke Air Force Base Veterinary Service

13725 Lightning, Glendale, AZ 85307, USA