The Global Alliance for Animals and People (GAAP) uses a multidisciplinary approach because it strongly believes that we need a group of creative and motivated people with varied backgrounds and experiences to work together with the community to find novel solutions. They believe that, in order for their work to be successful, there has to be a change in people´s attitude, perception and behaviour towards their animals. They believe also that we can only get there by making strong connections on the ground and through direct communication. There has to be community buy-in in terms of residents and local stakeholders, and they have made significant progress with both of those groups.
The GAAP works in three countries - Chile, Guatemala and Canada. Its recent work includes provision of veterinary services to 230 families in Valdivia, Chile through the subsidized GAAP Clinic; sterilisation of the pets of more than 300 families in Chile and Guatemala; establishment of the GAAP Canada and provision of veterinary services to 80 dogs and cats in rural, indigenous communities in Canada’s far north; and development of a 200+ page Veterinary Manual to prepare and train people in Guatemala to provide basic animal health services.
It has also provided education regarding rabies vaccination and caring for animals to thousands of children and
families in school and community programs in Todos Santos, Guatemala; conducted risk analysis and developed disaster response plan for companion animals in Pucón, Chile; and published a scientific article regarding the effects of chemical and surgical sterilization in free-roaming dogs in the Journal of Preventive Veterinary Medicine.
(Excerpt from nomination)
