A Report from Volunteer AMANDA HORAN

I been visiting Luxor for 6 years but it was only last year while eating in a restaurant I noticed the ACE leaflet on our table. I picked it up, read through it and was heartened by what they were doing to help the work animals of Luxor.
The same year I started my degree in veterinary nursing. After the first year we were required to complete 6 weeks work placement. I knew this would be a perfect opportunity give some of that time to ACE. I visited the website and was delighted to see that they accepted students. I contacted Kim to make the arrangements and the rest as they say, is history!
My days at Ace usually went something like this:
The day would start at 8AM in the in-patient clinic where myself, Catherine (a volunteer vet from the U.K), Assma and Hanna would prepare all medication required for the morning. Then we would do the morning rounds. This involved taking the temperature, pulse and respiration of the animals and also checking if they had eaten and drank. They also receive their medication. After this we would meet back in the clinic and discuss each patient and what care they needed that day.
Then it’s time to start showering! The animals get showered daily. It helps to keep them cool and removes any sand and dust. Bandages are also changed at this time. Any horses that need exercise are taken for walks. While all this is happening Dr David treated the emergencies and large animals in the front clinic. He would see up to 200 animals every morning!
At 12 o clock it’s time for lunch and a chance to rest our sweaty, weary bones!
At 1 c o clock we would join David in the outside clinic. The temperature at the time I visited was very high so we saw allot of dehydration induced colic. We also saw allot of strangles and lameness as the animals sometimes have to carry heavy loads for long periods.
At 4pm we would return to the in-patient clinic and get the medication ready for the evening. We would then do the rounds again administering the medication and checking that all the patients were content.
At 5pm its time to close the gates and get some rest so we can do it all again the next day!
I had an incredible time at ACE and the experience I gained is priceless. I’ve seen and learned to treat cases that I will never see at home. Everything I’ve learned will no doubt help me in my studies.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at ACE who made my experience what it was. Especially the stable hands, without them I would still be trying to get a certain stubborn donkey out of his stable!!
I hope to see you all again soon!
Amanda