Moments of love at Brooke

This is Guissella, a Brooke vet at a health fair in Nicaragua, smiling as a donkey nibbles the food she offers him.

Guissella works with universities to raise awareness around the importance of working animal welfare, and is passionate about working directly with communities, not just within her veterinary practice.  

Health fairs are run by Brooke’s animal welfare teams, where vets and paravets can treat horses, donkeys and mules, sell medicines, gives expert talks and build relationships with animal owners in the community.  

Fifteen-year-old Ashenneti pictured with his horse Bula, in Ethiopia. Ashenneti ensures Bula sees a local farrier regularly for new shoes, having worked with horses most of his life.  

He earns a living for his family whilst studying, transporting goods and providing a gharry services.  

“(My) father has always taught (me) to take good care of animals,” said Ashenneti.  

“Horses with well-maintained hooves work better because they are more comfortable.” 

A member of Brooke East Africa’s Ilaani Donkey women’s group in Kenya, whose T-shirt says: “My donkey, my life”.

Members of the women’s group learn about the five rights of a donkey and how to recognise when they are unwell, as well as launching a water project which has made it easier for them to care for their donkeys, as well as fetch and sell water more easily.

A donkey pictured resting its head on its owner at the Halaba Shelter in Ethiopia.  

The Halaba Shelter was constructed by Brooke and handed over to the local Gharry Horse Owners Association, which shelters working animals and has helped improve access to local farriery services.  

Sangita (right), a brick kiln worker in India, loves her donkeys for helping her to earn money so her children can go to university.  

Since working with Brooke, she understands how to care for her donkeys properly, ensuring they are vaccinated regularly to protect their health.

Sangita’s favourite donkey, Shali, is her eldest and is struggling to work now she’s older. But she is dedicated to supporting Shali: “I really want to help take care of her”. 

Her daughter, Rani (left) also has a soft spot for Shali, who she describes as very clever and always comes to greet them during breaks.

A heartfelt moment between a donkey named Laura and her foal, Panchy.  

When Panchy was born, their owner, Dieynaba, asked her mother if they could baptize her, as she considers her a part of the family.  

Dieynaba also adores Laura, who she describes as her best friend and believes their relationship will never change.  

Panchy is also inseparable with a calf (sat on the ground) who lives with them, who she was born just days apart from.

An owner sharing stories about his beloved horse in Punjab, India, as a child gazes at the horse admiringly. 

A farrier named Fatou hugging a horse in Senegal. Fatou had her farriery training at a stud farm, and horses from her neighbourhood are bought to her for hoof trimming.

“Now, no matter the horse bought to me, I can handle and work until the end with no problem,” Fatou said.