May 16, 2025
Janina Kutscha, Equine Veterinary Surgeon at Ardene House Vets has recently returned from volunteering with the BEVA Trust in Morocco, where she, and a colleague from the Donkey Sanctuary delivered an Equine Ophthalmology CPD.
Veterinary Surgeon Janina and her colleague were based at the American Fondouk Hospital, a nonprofit organisation providing vital equine care for working horses, donkeys, and mules in Fez, Morocco. Their trip was part of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) Trust’s volunteering initiative supporting veterinary volunteers in the UK and abroad.
The BEVA Trust is a professional organisation for veterinary surgeons specialising in equine medicine. It promotes equine education for veterinary professionals and champions high standards of equine care and welfare. The Trust also provides support and volunteering opportunities to veterinary professionals to get involved in projects that seek to enhance animal welfare both locally and globally.
Janina’s interest in volunteering with the BEVA Trust was inspired by her time working in South Africa and a personal trip to Morocco the year before. She shared:
“I have always enjoyed working with equids in African countries. During a holiday in Morocco last year, I visited Fez, came across the American Fondouk Hospital and thought about volunteering there.”
“During a conversation with the BEVA Trust at the following BEVA Congress, they mentioned that they are looking for volunteers with an interest in equine ophthalmology. This felt like the perfect opportunity for me as equine ophthalmology is one of my fields of interest.
Whilst at the hospital, Janina and her colleague delivered various equine ophthalmology lectures to Moroccan and Glaswegian students as well as fellow equine vets. Janina also led practical workshops in corneal cytology and surgical procedures giving local students and vets invaluable practical experience.
“The team's passion was truly inspiring, and despite some limitations in resources, the clinical standards were remarkably high. It was also fantastic to see the commitment to the animals' full recovery, with patients staying at the hospital for as long as required.” she added.
Janina was involved in several equine ophthalmology services, including immune-mediated keratitis (IMMK) and an ocular foreign body. She also engaged with a wide range of other cases such as tetanus, colic, pneumonia, severe weight loss, a collapsed foal, lameness, tracheal trauma, and wounds - both superficial and those involving joints.
Reflecting on the trip to Fez, Janina said:
“I thoroughly enjoyed the trip overall. I was reminded what being an equine vet is all about and found helping animals and people in need very rewarding. I loved being part of such a fantastic team and enjoyed the clinical challenges and opportunities to learn from each other.”
“One of my most memorable moments was to experience how well a completely blind donkey had adapted to having no sight and how well he managed to navigate around his surrounding. Once, back home, it was great to hear that the owner had decided to retire him from work and had found him a forever home.”
“Working at the hospital was such a rewarding experience and I would encourage fellow equine care professionals to consider getting involved in the many opportunities out there”.
With over 80 equine practices in the UK alone, IVC Evidensia Equine Vets is committed to putting the welfare of horses at the forefront of its work.
Discover more about volunteering with the BEVA Trust.