Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana organized four days online Training Programme on “Animal Welfare and Equine behavior" for developing the understanding on Animal welfare, equine behavior and compassionate handling among Vet students under Institutional Development Plan (IDP) under NAHEP in coordination with Brooke Hospital for Animals (India). Dr. Rajesh Kasrija, organizing secretary, apprised that a total of 263 participants registered for this programme. The technical lectures on topics such as Animal Welfare & its frameworks; Natural Behavior of equine; How equines communicate; Welfare Assessment and welfare issues of working equines and Compassionate Handling were delivered by Dr Nidhish Bhardwaj, Head of Animal Health & Welfare, Brooke India and Dr Sarita Negi, Veterinary Officer Animal Welfare and Training, Brooke India. Dr Sarvpreet Singh Ghuman,Principal Investigator -IDP & Dean, College of Veterinary Science informed that (IDP) aims at filling existing gaps through capacity building and training of both students and faculty at various international platforms, networking with industries and universities of national and international repute, promotion of skill development, seeding innovation amongst young minds, increasing employability and entrepreneurial outlook and adopting a revenue generation model for sustainability in long run. Dr. Parkash Singh Brar, Director of Extension Education said that GADVASU has recently signed MoU with Brooke Hospital for Animals (India) with objective to leverage inherent strengths of both organizations and to collaborate together to achieve better outcomes which foster better equine welfare. One of the areas of collaboration of GADVASU and Brookes is to impart equine specific skill development training to the Veterinarians. Brig. Jyothi Kumar Satchitaanada Dharmadheeran (Retd), Country Director & Chief Executive Officer- Brooke Hospital for Animals (India) informed that Brooke Hospital for Animals India is a registered not for profit company . It is registered by the Animal Welfare Board of India and works for the welfare of working equids. Dr.Inderjeet Singh, Vice Chancellor, GADVASU, Ludhiana informed that GADVASU is continuously stressing on skill development of young Veterinarian. He further added that this training will enhance clinical competency of veterinary students about equine practice, their knowledge about equine behavior interpretation, compassionate handling of equine and welfare issue of equine.
