Interview with Dorcas Pratt - Director of International Development

Read on to find out more about Dorcas's background and experiences, her impressions of the Brooke, and her vision for the Brooke’s work in years to come.

I was raised in east, southern and west African countries where my father worked mainly in livestock development.  Following my first degree in Animal Science, I worked mainly in Asian countries including Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines and India in a range of areas including animal husbandry, rural development, water and sanitation and building capacity of non-governmental and civil society organisations. 

I have worked for 12 years in senior management in international organisations, in Brussels, the UK and most recently in Madagascar.

You worked for WaterAid before starting at the Brooke, so were you familiar with our work before you joined? 

I was familiar with the Brooke’s work, principally through its publications.  Having spent a considerable part of my life in rural areas in developing countries, I am familiar with the key role which working animals, particularly donkeys, play in supporting families -  such as carrying people to market, to health clinics and carrying water.

You’ve been out to the field with the Brooke on several occasions, what was your first impression? 

The work of the Brooke in the countries I have visited to date is impressive.  Staff are very committed and dedicated, and many interesting initiatives are underway.

What would you say have been the highlights for you in the Brooke so far?

To learn from the people directly implementing the work in the field as to how the situation regarding working animal welfare is gradually changing in the places where they work.

What inspires you most about the charity? 

The commitment of the teams to improving the welfare of working horses and donkeys not just in the short term, but aiming to do this in a sustainable way, building the skills and confidence of the owners to be more responsible for their animals.

What vision do you have for the Brooke’s work in years to come?

I would like to see the Brooke working to improve the welfare of more working animals around the world, expanding both within existing countries and moving into new countries, while assuring best quality of its interventions.