A day in the life of our Aswan team, Egypt

This week, I’d like to introduce you to two of the people caring for working donkeys and horses in Aswan, Egypt – vet Dr Ahmed and animal health worker Ali.

Together, they are our mobile veterinary team travelling out to communities, treating animals who might otherwise struggle to get the veterinary care they need.

I hope you enjoy meeting them and finding out what a typical day looks like for our team in Aswan.

This work is all possible thanks to your support.

For Dr Ahmed and Ali, a working day starts early – but some of the planning has already happened before they set out.

Each week, the team works with the Aswan Veterinary Directorate to identify the villages and communities they will visit. Then, before leaving each morning, Ali helps prepare and organise the instruments, medicines and other supplies they might need that day.

With everything packed, the mobile veterinary team sets off to bring care directly to working donkeys and horses across Aswan.

During their working day, the team see many different donkeys, mules and horses – all in desperate need of vet treatment. 

Once they reach their destination, there’s no knowing exactly what the day will bring.

Dr Ahmed examines each animal and decides what treatment it needs. On any one visit, the team might care for donkeys with wounds, lameness or skin conditions, treat musculoskeletal problems, provide deworming or trim painful, overgrown hooves. They also see infectious diseases such as strangles.

During Dr Ahmed’s earlier work in private practice, he saw horses and donkeys needing veterinary treatment that their owners simply couldn’t afford.

But thanks to your support, our vet care is provided free of charge – helping animals get the treatment they need, even when their owners cannot afford to pay for it.

Ali assists Dr Ahmed – here he helps to tend a donkey’s wound.

While Dr Ahmed examines and treats each donkey or horse, Ali helps handle animals safely and calmly, prepares them for examinations and treatments, gets instruments and medicines ready and assists with procedures under Dr Ahmed’s direction.

Ali also makes sure equipment and supplies stay organised as the team moves from one animal to the next. It’s a role Ali has grown into over time. He says one of the things that makes him happiest is helping to treat a donkey that arrives suffering or in pain – and then seeing the difference when the team meets that animal again.

Dr Ahmed examines a donkey – each week, the team works with the local veterinary directorate to identify the villages and communities where their help is most needed.

Some animals need more than a single visit. When that happens, Dr Ahmed and Ali continue to follow their progress, returning to check how they are recovering and whether further treatment is needed.

For our team, those follow-up visits can be one of the most rewarding parts of the job, seeing the difference their work makes to animal’s health and quality of life.

And the next morning, the medicines and equipment are prepared again – ready for another day and the next donkeys who need our help.

Many owners care deeply about their donkeys but struggle to afford vet treatment. Our mobile vet team means their animals can still get the care they need.

Thank you ♥️♥️

We hope you’ve enjoyed spending a day with Dr Ahmed and Ali and seeing what goes into caring for working donkeys, mules and horses across Aswan.

Your support helps our mobile veterinary team reach donkeys who need them – providing skilled treatment, medicines and follow-up care to help relieve pain.

Thank you for helping Dr Ahmed, Ali and the team be there for the next donkey who needs their care.

Dr Ahmed treats a donkey in poor condition – providing the care she needs to improve her health and wellbeing.