The Brooke - Meeting the need

Over 10,000 horses, donkeys and mules currently work in the Meerut region of Uttar Pradesh, India. Many animal owners and their families are very poor - and equine welfare is often a low priority.

Meet the Meerut team

Mobile vet teams are at the heart of the Brooke's work. Their first priority is immediate relief for working animals in pain and distress. But just as important is their work to train owners and local animal health workers so that animals can be healthier - and poor communities more financially secure - for the long term.

Below we introduce one of our teams, who have worked to improve animal care in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, India, since 2006:

Dr Avinash - Chief Vet

Dr Avinash left a job as a research and teaching associate at Bihar Veterinary College to join the Brooke.


	It is a very rare chance in India to get expertise in equines where most veterinarians only practise on bovines and canines...I am proud to say that I am utilising my knowledge and skills to serve the poorest of the poor.

Sheel Ratan Gupta - Team Manager

Mr Gupta joined the Brooke in May 2007. He has 15 years' experience of community development activities and is now guiding the Meerut team in bringing sustainable welfare for working animals to the district.

Mr John Santha Kumar - Paravet

Santha helps with clinical activities such as dressing wounds and giving vaccinations, and keeps all medicines and veterinary equipment organised. He is particularly skilled at motivating owners to continue their animals’ treatment as instructed. Santha has worked with horses for over 25 years.

Mr Ashokan Padmanabhan - Farrier

Many working animals suffer terrible pain as a result of bad shoeing, so Mr Ashokan’s role, as the team’s farrier (or blacksmith) is vital.

His enthusiasm and optimism help motivate the whole team.


	I take each new case as a challenge. I always try and give my best support to the team and to properly diagnose and save the animal from pain and suffering.

Mohamed Shafiq - Driver

Shafiq is the team driver, responsible for keeping their vehicle in good working order and knowing all the routes across the region. Roads can be hazardous, and his vital job includes getting the team to emergency cases quickly but safely. He also helps the team out by keeping track of medicines and treatments given.


	I feel proud to be a part of the Brooke, which provided me such a beautiful opportunity to help animals and their owners.

Ziyaul Haque - Community Animal Health Facilitator

With a background in working with poor and deprived communities, his important role is to build relationships with owners of horses and donkeys, and motivate them to improve the health and welfare of their animals.


	I often go to the owners in the evening as they are free from work then and can pay attention to the discussions. The Brooke is helping the poorest strata of society to improve their conditions through the welfare of their equines.

Meeting the need - Meerut, India