Community‐based Animal Health Care

Abstract

Livestock contribute to the livelihoods of around 70% of the world's poor. Heifer International provides high quality livestock, training, and related support to communities to assist with food security and to improve livelihoods. Heifer provides training and extension services so families can provide improved animal housing, management, breeding, nutrition, and veterinary health. Heifer conducts training programs for para-vets or Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) in areas where local professional veterinary care is not available. Beneficiaries get animal health and husbandry services through trained technicians who are selected from within the community and trained in improved local practices, using basic selection guidelines. The selected community men and women get hands-on training based on the principle of community-based animal health care, using participatory principles in the farmers' fields. Basic tasks of CAHWs in the Heifer-supported project are described. Heifer International is providing sustainable solutions to the well-being of the livestock where it works.