Paros is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea best known for its beaches and traditional villages. On the 20th and 21st of September 2019, our GAWF Equine Project Team visited Paros, as we have done for some years now, to deliver free animal welfare services including veterinary, farrier and dentistry treatments to the working equines on the island.

Vet Elisa Geskou, farrier Tasos Skyllas and equine dentist Alkis Gkeskos managed over 2 days to treat 34 equines, none of whom would otherwise have had any access to specialist equine professionals or treatments during the rest of the year, which is a serious problem across Greece.

It always takes years to establish relationships and trust between animal owners and our team on our Outreach trips. But this investment pays off enabling us to have honest conversations with the owners, who use horses, donkeys and mules for various purposes on the island to help them earn a living. Elisa, Tasos and Alkis were all successful in discussing and agreeing treatments, covering advice on better feeding, maintaining the health and welfare of the animals whilst also reinforcing the clear legal duties on the owners for the welfare of their animals.