Page 507 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
compare local values to Western values. Apart from the family compound, animals – cows, sheep, and goats – are for farmer’s most valuable commodity. Female children and wives come low down in the pecking order.”
Notwithstanding the cultural differences between Afghan and Western values, in an area where the average daily income is around 1US Dollar per day, a healthy goat costing 70 US Dollar is indisputably a sizeable investment.
Miles explains further: A farmer may well be more concerned about an animal dying than he would his child or one of his wives. It sounds harsh, but life is harsh here. If a farmer’s herd is in poor health, his family’s income will be reduced, and all the family members will suffer. Once you start to understand the way Afghan society works and the crucial dependence on animals for existence, you can see why a project like this could really benefit the local population.”
“The concept of a vet is virtually unknown in Afghanistan, particularly in these rural communities. However, the concept of a doctor is better understood so when it is explained that I am a doctor for animals, the villagers are more accepting. I think there is a certain suspicion of ’white man’s magic’, however an important aspect to the clinic is the education which we simultane- ously endeavour to give the locals about animal welfare and husbandry.”
Despite the value Afghans place on their livestock, Greg says there is a staggering ignorance amongst the largely illiterate populace about how to care for their beasts:
“Farmers here have absolutely no idea about animal husbandry. There is near total ignorance about causes and spread of disease, breeding cycles and how milk is produced. If a goat stops milking, it is said to be Allah’s will rather than the fact that it has not bred for 18 months and therefore has no anatomical reason to produce milk.”
As such, the natural health of herds is poor, with cattle usually underweight and riddled with worms, mites and other parasites. They also frequently carry infectious diseases which can spread to humans with devastating consequences. Brucellosis, a disease now virtually extinct in the UK through vaccination programmes, is commonplace here and causes abortion and premature births in both cattle and humans. The intestinal worms carried by sheep and goats also spread to humans via the food chain.
Miles says the priority is firstly to de-worm and de-louse. By eradicating parasites, the animals are able to absorb more nutrients, become stronger and more resistant to disease. Once the animals have achieved a baseline of health, he then vaccinates because the vacci- nations are less effective on sick animals.
“From a slightly geeky veterinary perspective, these herds are fascinating because the goats and sheep are extremely ancient breeds. They have not been engineered
by breeding programmes and are as they would have appeared in biblical times. Because they have not been exposed to drugs and have built up no resistance, they respond extremely well and quickly to the products I give them.’
“Our main effort has to be focused on herd health. De-worming and vaccination programmes which will steadily see an improvement in the overall quality of all the animals will reap long term benefits. Of course, if specific animals present with sickness, I’ll do my best to treat them too.
This is the third time in three months that Miles has held his Vet Camp. Already he is seeing the same farmers returning with their herds for treatment.
“The improvement in herd health is marked, even in such a short space of time. But it is important that the locals understand they need to continue with treatments. That is where education is so important. It is not a one-stop shop and I aim to provide a continuous service to give preventative healthcare.”
To immunise and worm each animal costs around £1.70 in medication, rising to £4 per head if anti-biotics are needed. After his livestock have been treated, the Afghan farmer shakes hands with the vet, mounts his motor scooter and winds his way slowly home, accompanied by his children and animals. Greg comments: “That farmer and his brother are by Afghan standards, very wealthy and therefore influential. If we can get him on side to spread the word about the veterinary programme, I think we will have loads more of customers in the future”. Sure enough, the next day several more local farmers arrive at the clinic together with about 500 head of sheep, goats and a couple of donkeys for Miles to inspect and inject with medicines. When all is done, he stretches his aching back, sips some water and cracks a broad grin. It is the satisfied smile of a job well done, by a man confident in the fact that he is making a difference.
Op HERRICK 12
105 Military Working Dog Support Unit (105 MWDSU) deployed as relief in place for 102 MWDSU in March 2010 as Theatre Military Working Dog Support Unit (TMWDSU) for the duration of Operation HERRICK 12. (During the formation of 1 MWD Regiment, 105 MWDSU re-subordinated on 6th April to become 105 MWD Squadron).
This demanding tour for the MWDs and handlers covered the period 8th March – 30th September 2010. The Sqn Mission was to provide Protection and Specialist dog support, Tactical Command (TACOM), to the supported formation in order to enhance Force Protection to UK and assigned
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