Country: Ghana
Position: Field Veterinarian
International Partner: GAPNET
Start Date: July 15, 2019
Joseph is a retired veterinarian from Quispamsis, New Brunswick. As a Canadian-Ghanaian, Joseph has been able to garner support for change in rural Ghana communities through his ability to understand the local culture and language. Leading animal health and biosecurity trainings over multiple placements, Joseph has been a wonderful volunteer enhancing animal and human health in Ghana, volunteering with VWB/VSF since 2016.
In recognition of International Day for Biological Diversity 2026, VWB reflects on how healthy rangelands, community-led animal health systems, and pastoralist knowledge help sustain resilience across working landscapes worldwide.
Based on field insights from Senegal, this blog examines how VWB’s COHERS program is helping drive early gender-transformative change at the household level — reshaping who decides, who acts, and how families respond to risks affecting both human and animal health.
#VETSVolunteerVoices brings you stories of our passionate VETS program volunteers from the field. Meet Hiya Goyal, a Communications Advisor who spent five months in Laos (November 2025–March 2026) with our local partner, Health Poverty Action, strengthening communications and knowledge sharing while exploring how listening and storytelling can bridge gaps between policy, research, and community experience.
