Gifts in Action
The difference that training for a Community Animal Health Worker can make...
Community animal health workers are members of communities in which the Brooke work, and are selected to be trained in animal first aid and best welfare practices. They are vital to our work, as they work closely with us to help identify and address specific problems and are able to give basic treatments and training when a qualified vet isn’t around.
Abdel Wahab was trained by the Brooke as a community animal health worker and qualified farrier 2 years ago, and now works alongside Dr Mostafa in the Aswan region of Egypt.
On one of the team’s weekly visits to the village of Fetera, Dr Mostafa and Abdel came across 15 year old Saber and his donkey – Rafik. Saber explained that Rafik had begun limping, and Dr Mostafa and Abdel could see he was obviously in pain when walking. Dr Mostafa examined the poor donkey and was able to diagnose tendinitis.
While Dr Mostafa provided Rafik with treatment, Abdel explained to Saber that he needed to take Rafik to have his hooves trimmed regularly to prevent his donkey developing tendinitis – and a range of other injuries in the future. Saber was excited to hear from Abdel, who is well known and trusted in the village as a farrier and community animal health worker. He listened intently and promised that his donkey would never suffer lameness again.
Thanks to Abdel, Saber now knows that he has someone to support him in caring for Rafik, and understands how to care for his feet properly to prevent tendon injuries in the future.