VETS UNITED in The Gambia

The project in The Gambia was the first project of the VETS UNITED programme.

Originally offered as a workshop, the animal welfare course has officially been conducted at the academic institutions since the winter semester of 2016. The animal welfare module has been taught at The Gambia College until today and also at the university until 2021. In addition to theoretical lessons, students receive weekly practical exercises with animals in different husbandry systems and in contexts relevant to their profession, such as at markets. In the meantime, animal welfare is officially an accredited component of the Animal Health and Production degree programme at The Gambia College.

Since the winter semester of 2021, the focus of the project has been on the further training of teachers at The Gambia College. Employed lecturers from different departments learn how to teach animal welfare in a systematic and clear way. After completing the training, they will continue to teach animal welfare independently at their institution.

Between 2017 and 2018, the impact of training on the VPPs work was evaluated. The results of the evaluation have shown that the educational approach to improve animal health and animal welfare in The Gambia has achieved its desired outcomes.

All interviewed VPPs reported that they developed a better understanding for the animals and their needs due to the training, and in practice they showed excellent or good skills when treating the animals during examinations, vaccinations and wound management.

Additionally, the VPPs explained that they passed on information about animal welfare and  health in different ways to the farmers. They used occasions, like individual conversations, group meetings or other events, to promote animal health and animal welfare or to point out the poor keeping of animals. The interviewed farmers confirmed, that nearly all VPPs talked to them about topics like husbandry, feeding and animal care.