Massachusetts Equine Clinic
Shared Mission
We stand with the Equitarian Initiative in its mission to:
Improve the health and welfare of working equids through direct veterinary care and education, Educate and empower animal caretakers, community members, and local animal health workers on best practices in nutrition, hoof care, dentistry, wound management, and preventive medicine, Collaborate with local veterinarians, veterinary schools, NGOs, and communities to strengthen sustainable animal care solutions, Raise awareness of the vital role working equids play in developing economies and family livelihoods
Key Goals We Support: Deliver hands‑on medical care, farrier services, dentistry, surgery, and parasite control to working equids, Foster community education and engagement through two‑way learning with animal caretakers, Train and mentor veterinarians, vet techs, students, and local service providers for long‑term impact, Promote awareness of working equid welfare and the essential support these animals provide to their communities
Together with the Equitarian Initiative, we help broaden access to veterinary care and education that:
Improves the condition and functionality of working horses, donkeys, and mules, Builds local capacity through training and collaborative partnerships, Enhances animal welfare and livelihood outcomes for families and communities, Promotes long‑term, sustainable solutions for animal care and owner practice
The Equitarian Initiative thrives thanks to volunteers, donors, and partner organizations. You can support this important work by: Contributing essential supplies such as medical equipment, vaccines, and farrier tools, Sponsoring veterinary students, technicians, or program scholarships, Helping fund community education and capacity-building programs
Massachusetts Equine Clinic is committed to ensuring every working equid receives the basic health care and life-changing support they deserve. Together, we can continue improving animal welfare and empowering the people who rely on these essential animals.
The Team
It began in 1993 as 3 members from the MVMA volunteering their time, knowledge and supplies to provide necessary medical services to the animals of Samana, has grown into a semi-annual expedition of vets, technicians, students, translators, some filmmakers and ancillary personnel. Over the life of the project, our teams have spayed more than 2000 dogs and cats and castrated several hundred stallions. We are educating the people of Samana on animal care, nutrition, basic first aid, and parasite control and tick infestation. Team Samana is working with an ecotourism group who, at our recommendation, has formed a cooperative to sponsor seminars and keep records of horses we determine are too sick or thin to work, and arrange for medical care. We’ve convinced several farmers to start a mule breeding program as mules are strong animals, resistant to disease, adapt well to the local climate and living conditions, and after they are gelded, seem very placid and work steadily for the rest of their lives. Others have seen the success of this program and it’s beginning to catch on. Team Samana has strengthened the human / animal bond in many ways and given the animals a healthier life. But the most important legacy of the program is the influence it has had on the over 100 vets, techs and students who have made the journey, gotten back to the basics, and brought altruism back into their daily lives.
Shared Mission
Key Goals We Support: Providing medical and surgical care for horses, mules, dogs, and cats, Educating local owners on nutrition, first aid, and parasite control, Training local veterinarians and veterinary students, Giving U.S. veterinary students exposure to global veterinary challenges
Project Samana's Impact: Biannual care visits for horses and mules, with ongoing follow-up by local practitioners, Over 2,000 dogs and cats spayed, hundreds of stallions castrated, Significant reduction in stray dogs and cats in Samana, Established mule breeding programs for healthier, stronger work animals, Strengthened the human-animal bond and improved animal welfare
Project Samana thrives thanks to volunteers, donors, and the support of organizations like ours. You can contribute by: Supporting a specific veterinarian or student, Funding essential supplies, such as sutures, antibiotics, and medical equipment, Providing airfare for participants who would not otherwise be able to join
Project Samana is committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of Samana’s animals and training the next generation of compassionate veterinary professionals.
