Contributors

Abigail Sefton BS DVM MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Qualified from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine (2017) with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine following completion of a BS in Neuroscience from University of Rochester. Completed an internship at The Donkey Sanctuary and has remained as a veterinary surgeon. Interests include anaesthesia and orthopaedics.

Alex Thiemann MA Vet MB CertEP MSc CertVEd MRCVS
Senior Veterinary Surgeon- Education and Research at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Qualified from University of Cambridge (1989). Worked in mixed and then equine practice. Was a donkey owner as a child and joined the The Donkey Sanctuary in 1998. Gained Certificate in Equine Practice in 1995, Masters in International Animal Health in 2009 and Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Authority in 2015. Has extensive donkey medical and surgical experience in the UK, Europe and with working donkeys globally. Has published numerous articles and contributions to books regarding donkey health and welfare.

Anna Haines BSc MSc
Lead in Behaviour in the Research and Operational Support Department at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Qualified from Liverpool University in Animal Behaviour (2004) and gained a Masters in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare (specialising in equines) in 2011. She has spent her career working for and managing a variety of equine and animal welfare charities internationally as well as in the UK and has worked as an equine behaviour consultant since 2012. Is a member of the ‘Ask the Experts’ team at Horse and Rider magazine and writes monthly feature articles for them and is a committee member for the Equine Behaviour and Training Association.

Anna Harrison BVSc BSc CertWEL MSc IAWEL AFHEA MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Qualified from University of Bristol (1986). Worked in mixed practice before joining Defra as a Veterinary Officer specialising in livestock welfare. Joined The Donkey Sanctuary in 2010. Gained Certificate in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law in 1996, a Masters in International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law in 2016 and Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Authority in 2017 and is a RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law. Has worked abroad for equine and companion animal charities on a voluntary basis. Particular interests include all aspects of animal welfare and husbandry.

Ben Hart
Senior Lead – Behaviour and Human Behaviour Change.
A Certified Horse Behavioural Consultant (CHBC), registered with the International Association of Animal Behaviour Councillors (IAABC) and a ABTC Registered Accredited Animal Behaviourist. Ben joined The Donkey Sanctuary in 2001, bringing his knowledge and passion for the behaviour of equines and humans. Moving to his current role in 2018 he leads The Donkey Sanctuary in the understanding and implementation of scientific principles of equine behaviour and Human Behaviour Change. He has worked globally, using the science of behaviour for training horses, donkeys and mules to enhance the communication between animals and humans. Has written books on equine behaviour and training and the use of positive reinforcement in equine training, and is a specialist in the preparation of training plans for developing the ability of equids to cope with every aspect of domestication.

Chris Garrett
Lead in Harnesses in the Research and Operational Support department at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Became a Master Harness Maker, Saddler and registered saddle fitter with a business in Shropshire. He taught challenged youngsters in Walsall, and was a registered ABW (carriage driver) for the Riding for the Disabled Association. Began working internationally in 2000 for an equine charity as an independent harness trainer and joined The Donkey Sanctuary in 2008. Travels extensively to countries where donkeys and mules are relied on for power; adapting harness from local materials, training owners and others concerned with improving the welfare of these animals, increasing efficiency and reducing harness related wounds. Interested in all traditional crafts and techniques.

Chris Platts BSc RSciTech
Laboratory Manager, at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Qualified from Bournemouth University with a degree in Forensic Sciences (2011). Joined The Donkey Sanctuary as a Laboratory Technician after graduating. A registered science technician and a member of The Royal Society of Biology. Delivers an efficient and bespoke service to The Donkey Sanctuary’s veterinary and welfare teams.

Daniel Bacellar DVM
A clinician at AEPGA (Association for the Study and Protection of Donkeys).
Qualified from the University of Évora in Portugal (2013). Works on welfare interventions involving education, general veterinary practice and dentistry and is also involved in breeding and stud management of the endangered Miranda Donkey Portuguese breed.

Elena Barrio MVDr Cert AVP MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Qualified from the University of Zaragoza in Spain (2003). Completed an externship in an Equine clinic in the UK and an internship in an Equine Hospital in Seville gaining experience in internal medicine and reproduction. Joined The Donkey Sanctuary in 2005, with responsibility for the new intake reception farm and the admissions of donkeys. Gained a Cert AVP in 2012 and currently working towards a PhD in Equine Veterinary Medicine.

Faith Burden BSc PhD
Director of Research and Operational Support at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Qualified from University of Warwick. Oversees The Donkey Sanctuary’s research and technical services and has published over 50 peer reviewed articles relating to donkey health and welfare. Has a particular interest in donkey nutrition and parasitology and enjoys transforming scientific findings into evidence based practices for donkey owners and service providers globally.

Gemma Lilly BAEDT BSc(EDS) BA ESBM
Lead for Welfare Assessment at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Qualified from West of England University with first class honours in Equine Dental Science (2005). Worked privately with working horses before joining The Donkey Sanctuary in 2007. Joined the Council for the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians in 2010, becoming chair in 2012. She formed part of the consortium developing the National Occupational Standards framework for equine dentistry in the UK. A regular lecturer, tutor and practical assessor in equine dentistry worldwide, Gemma became part of the examining board for the BEVA/BVDA examination for Equine Dental Technicians. Has published articles and contributed to books on equine dentistry, in addition to online and in person courses, and is known as an expert in the field of welfare oriented donkey and mule dentistry in the UK.

George Paraschou DVM MRCVS
Veterinary Pathologist at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Qualified from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (2009). Completed an internship in equine medicine and surgery and carried out duties as a veterinary surgeon for the Greek Army before moving to the UK to work for the government at APHA. Was a donkey owner as a child and carried out voluntary work with donkeys for the Greek Animal Welfare Fund. Joined The Donkey Sanctuary in 2015 to work as a veterinary pathologist. Diplomate member of the Royal College of Pathologists.

Getachew Mulugeta DVM MVM PhD
Lead in Research in the Research and Operational Support department at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Qualified from Addis Ababa University (1992). Worked for the French Veterinary Mission and The International Livestock Research Institute before joining the Donkey Health and Welfare Project in Ethiopia. Returned to Addis Ababa University to work as a project leader and lecturer. Gained a Masters at Glasgow University followed by a PhD.

Jesus Buil MVDr MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Qualified from University of Zaragoza in Spain (2009). Completed an internship in equine medicine and surgery at the University of Zaragoza. Gained a Masters in 2011. Worked as a donkey clinician with working donkeys in Portuguese rural areas with AEPGA (Association for the Study and Protection of Donkeys) and in one of The Donkey Sanctuary holding bases in Portugal, focussing on orthopaedic conditions in the feet of the donkey. Joined The Donkey Sanctuary in 2016.

Jo Goliszek BVSc PGCert MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon at The Donkey Sanctuary
Qualified from University of Bristol University (2011). Volunteered at a Veterinary clinic for working horses and donkeys in Egypt before doing an equine internship. Worked in equine practices before joining The Donkey Sanctuary in 2016. Interested in Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Internal Medicine.

João B. Rodrigues DVM PhD
Lead in Welfare in the Research and Operational Support department at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Qualified at University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (2007), classified as an Expert in Veterinary Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery by the Complutense University of Madrid (2011) and obtained a PhD focusing on research in the field of donkey dentistry (2013). Appointed as Professor of Medicine and Surgery of Equids in Portugal in 2013 and joined The Donkey Sanctuary in 2016. Has extensive donkey medical and welfare experience in Europe and with working donkeys globally, is a regular lecturer, tutor and practical assessor in equid dentistry worldwide and has published numerous articles and contributions to books. A former partner and board member of the Portuguese Association of Animal Traction (APTRAN).

Karen Pickering BVSc CertAVP(ED) PgCert VPS MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Qualified from the University of Bristol (2008). Worked in mixed practice before moving to The Donkey Sanctuary in 2010. Completed a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (Equine Dentistry) in 2017. Interests include dentistry and surgery. Has worked for equine charities overseas as a volunteer.

Karen Rickards BVSc PhD MRCVS
Head of Veterinary Services at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Qualified from University of Bristol (1994) and worked in equine practice for 4 years before undertaking a PhD in equine allergic airway disease at The Royal Veterinary College. Carried on working in this field as a post doc before taking up a lectureship in pharmacology at King’s College, London. Started working at The Donkey Sanctuary in 2007. Main interest has always been lower airway inflammatory disease and the pharmacology of inflammation. Since working at The Donkey Sanctuary a new area of interest is pain recognition and its management in donkeys.

Miguel Quaresma DVM PhD
Clinician at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and a researcher at CECAV, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD).
Qualified at University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (1998) and obtained a PhD in Veterinary Sciences with the Thesis “Asinina de Miranda donkey breed (Equus asinus): demographic analysis and characterisation of the reproductive cycles.” (2015). He has been working with donkeys since 2003, in collaboration with AEPGA.

Miguel Nóvoa DVM
Technical Secretary of the Miranda Donkey Portuguese breed since 2004 and responsible for the conservation and improvement programme of the breed.
Qualified at the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) (2003). Works on the animal welfare education campaign in rural areas of Portugal. A board member of the association AEPGA (Association for the Study and Protection of Donkeys) since 2002 and the association PALOMBAR since 2003.

Sue Dabinett
Head Veterinary Nurse at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Spent 5 years working in equine and small animal practice before joining The Donkey Sanctuary in 1982.

Rebekah Sullivan BVSc CertAVP(EM) MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Qualified from University of Bristol (2005). Worked in mixed practice and carried out periods of voluntary work abroad (Egypt and Morocco) with working equines. Joined The Donkey Sanctuary in 2012 and has been a member of the veterinary team ever since. Completed a certificate in equine medicine and is interested in most areas of veterinary medicine and surgery but is particularly keen on medical cases.

Vicky Grove BVSc MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Qualified from University of Liverpool (1996). Joined The Donkey Sanctuary in 1999. Qualified in acupuncture with a special interest in musculoskeletal conditions. Interested in surgery and anaesthesia.

Photographs and images
The majority of images in this handbook have been taken from the extensive libraries held at The Donkey Sanctuary, as well as from the private collections of the contributors.

The libraries held at The Donkey Sanctuary have been built by previous as well as present staff and contain a valuable resource for educational and training material.

The library of pathology images contains over 10,000 macroscopic and microscopic photographs of significant pathological findings identified over the past 15 years. George Paraschou and Chris Platts are currently managing the pathology laboratory archive of images.

The library of clinical work and research is managed by Kate Selley. She has over 12,000 images which are available as resources for education and training.

The images of dental conditions are from the private libraries belonging to João B. Rodrigues and Gemma Lilly and are part of an extensive collection covering all dental disorders in the donkey. Images belonging to Lee Gosden and Allan Emmett are also included.