Tree Of Life For Animals

Rural Development Project

Currently, our rural project covers 6 villages local to Kharekhari. A daily clinic is held in the evening, where villagers bring along their goats, cows, buffaloes and camels that are in need of treatment.

The numbers of animals brought to the clinic can range from 10 - 80 animals per day dependant on the season. Sometimes a simple injection is all that is required but on other occasions it is necessary to admit the patient to the hospital for an operation.

Ingenius ways to get their animals to the hospital

Dr Ashok, Shishpal and Nadja treating a sick goat

In the future…

It is the Tree of Life for Animals aim to create self sufficiency amongst villagers of rural areas in basic veterinary care. There are so many villages in Rajasthan that have no access to any form of veterinary care. Either the village is too far away from the nearest government hospital to get the animal there or the villager is too poor to afford the fees.

The villagers whole livelihood may depend on only a few animals and if they are sick or even worse, die, this can be of disastrous consequence. The Tree of Life for Animals is planning to organize a network of ‘Community Animal Healthcare Workers’ or C.A.H.W.’s.

From each village, one person will be selected and undergo a full training scheme in basic veterinary care. This will include topics such as good animal husbandry, disease control and wound care, amongst others. In that way, many of the problems can be prevented before they even begin. All the villagers will then take advice from the C.A.H.W when their animal is sick or injured.

Siteram giving advice to the owner of a draft oxen

Complimenting the ‘Community Animal Healthcare Worker’ scheme would be a fully equipped mobile veterinary service, complete with veterinary doctor and animal assistant. This can be called upon by the C.A.H.W when the case is more complicated and beyond their training capacity.

It may be an animal that requires surgical intervention or a more in depth medical diagnosis.The Tree of Life for Animals is committed to sustaining veterinary services in the area in the longterm.