Clinicians in Morocco

Improving healthcare for working equids to support local livelihoods.

Each year, faculty from NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine travel to Morocco to improve healthcare for working equids and help local communities.

In the rural and urban communities of low-income countries such as Morocco, horses, mules and donkeys are a crucial part of the workforce and economy. When they become ill or injured, lack of access to affordable veterinary healthcare prevents animals from receiving the treatment they need. Improving healthcare through clinical training is crucial for protecting animal welfare and the livelihoods of the families that depend on them.

Since 2014, to improve the lives of working animals in underserved areas of Morocco, equine specialists from the College of Veterinary Medicine have led an outreach effort to help train Moroccan veterinarians in equid healthcare.

CVM faculty in Morocco

Our Faculty

Faculty from the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) travel to the Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire (IAV) Hassan II in Rabat, Morocco’s capital, and SPANA hospitals in Casablanca and Marrakesh to work with veterinary students in the clinic. During the trip, they also participate in a two-day Continuing Education conference for veterinary professionals from different African countries, who attend the conference to recertify their license.

NC State faculty are recruited by Anthony Blikslager, CVM professor of equine surgery and gastroenterology, and Hassan Alyakine, SPANA Morocco’s country director. During the conference, faculty provide training in different specialties based on fluctuating healthcare needs throughout Africa.

Anthony Blikslager

Callie Fogle

Jonathon Fogle

Liara Gonzalez

Paul Lunn

Lauren Schnabel

Katie Sheats

Student Training

For NC State veterinary students, the trip is an ideal opportunity to work with equids and connect with people in underserved areas. By training with clinicians from SPANA and IAV Hassan II, students gain skills needed not only for a career in global health, but also as a veterinary professional.

Although this outreach effort focuses on international animal care, the skills necessary for engaging with clients and understanding their relationship with the animal are crucial for all veterinarians worldwide. By navigating different environments and cultures, students learn about the socioeconomic impact that animal healthcare can have on people in different countries, and experience the challenges of improving animal health in a country with limited resources.

CVM students in Morocco