Global Impact: Supporting Working Animals of the Developing World
Dr. Rachael Green from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine recently traveled to Guatemala in partnership with the Equitarian Initiative to deliver veterinary care to working horses, donkeys, and mules. A dedicated team of veterinarians, support personnel—including technicians and interpreters—and a veterinary student from all across the U.S. treated nearly 300 equids across five remote mountain villages.
The team’s efforts included vaccinating, deworming, and providing wound care, along with performing 154 dental procedures, including five cheek tooth extractions. Local farriers from Guatemala and Mexico also contributed crucial hoof care. A significant focus of the trip was educating approximately 100 Guatemalan veterinary students on preventative care and basic wound management. The mission aimed to not only improve the health of the animals but also empower local communities through education. These animals often play a vital role in supporting local economies, and by training those who care for them, the initiative helps ensure the health and well-being of both the animals and the people who depend on them. Additionally, the trip provided AAEP/TEVA veterinarians with an opportunity to highlight their philanthropic contributions to global animal welfare.
Dr. Green and her husband, Alec, who also works for UGA Vet Med in the large animal department, have been personally involved in this mission for the past three years. While the trip itself has been in operation in various forms for the last 15 years, their specific focus has always been Guatemala. “For me, the trip has always been about serving a community that has not had the opportunities or luxuries that we often take for granted here in the United States,” Dr. Green shared. “In taking part in this trip, I can use my knowledge and skills to improve and enhance the quality of life of the Guatemalan working equid and at the same time, educate their owners and help them be able to use their horses in a more efficient capacity.”
Dr. Green believes that their work can create a significant, positive impact on the communities they serve. “It’s incredibly gratifying to return to communities we’ve visited over the years and see the Guatemalan horses looking healthier and the villages growing economically,” she said. “It shows the power of what we do.”
This year, the focus shifted toward education and sustainability. Dr. Green and Alec partnered with a Guatemalan veterinary school to host veterinary students at each location. By educating the next generation of veterinarians in Guatemala, the Greens hope to leave a long-lasting impact on the country’s equine population, ensuring that highly trained local veterinarians can provide life-saving and life-improving care within their own communities for years to come.
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For more information on the Equitarian Initiative: equitarianinitiative.org
