U.S. Troops Provide Vet Services in Afghanistan

Dora Noor, Afghanistan <br>March 15, 2010 &#151; -- At first, the sight of American soldiers being dragged behind bulls across a mosque parking lot seems strange, but by the third or fourth time it's almost normal.

Still, the hundreds of Afghan villagers watching continue to laugh and cheer, which is a good thing in the war to win "hearts and minds."

Here in the remote eastern Kunar province in the heart of kinetic Pech Valley, the 40th Infantry Division Agribusiness Development Team from the California National Guard is working to improve the lives of farmers and connecting them with their government through simple agricultural projects and outreach.

"Our mission is to strengthen the government's relationship with the people through the foundation of their livelihood which is agriculture," said Lt. Robert Parry.

The agribusiness team is comprised of American soldiers, most of whom have an agricultural background, and American civilians who work with local Afghan veterinarians. One of their projects is to offer free veterinary clinics to local farmers in a region so poor that nearly 40 percent of the population is malnourished.

The clinics feel more like a county fair than a military operation. Instead of bullets and bombs, helicopters and Humvees, could the key to success in Afghanistan lie in the health of a goat?

"The more of an Afghan face we can put on this, then the more the people will start trusting their government," said Sgt. 1st Class Jose Mosqueda.

The desperately poor are easily recruited by insurgents. The military hopes it can change that by improving the lives of the locals.

"This is something that will last like an investment over the course of a year, so the animals will be able to survive," said Lt. Col. Max Velte, the mission commander. Velte is an electrician who grew up around farms.

More than an hour before the clinics begin, dozens of farmers and their children line up to wait. They bring their goats, sheep, cows, bulls, even a pet monkey.