The role of mentorship in veterinary practice: An empirical study of the Animal Health Mentoring Framework in Pakistan

Abstract

This research introduced and ascertained the effectiveness of the Animal Health Mentoring Framework (AHMF) designed by Brooke, a global welfare organization, to develop the dual skills of ethical reasoning and the technical capabilities of field veterinarians in Pakistan. A longitudinal observational study was carried out on 100 veterinary professionals from six institutions in Lahore for six months by engaging them in a structured mentorship program. The AHMF targeted key developmental areas: welfare advocacy, clinical expertise, communication, kit content and maintenance, and clinical governance. Monthly assessments were carried out using the AHMF scoring tool, and the results were analyzed using the Friedman test across these five competencies. The results showed statistically significant improvements in all aspects. The welfare advocacy score increased from 1.13 at the start to 3.62 by the end of the study, clinical expertise improved from 8.26 to 12.51 while clinical governance enhanced from 0.14 to 1.12. Communication skills and kit management also improved significantly, although at a slightly slower rate. The average total AHMF score of the participants increased from 13.14 to 22.37, thus emphasizing all-rounded improvements in veterinary practices. The outcomes suggest that formal mentoring through the AHMF significantly enhances veterinary professionals' ethical and technical competencies, particularly in resource-poor settings. AHMF is a scalable, globally adaptable model, that can improve veterinary education, practice, and animal welfare, particularly in low and middle-income countries. This pioneering research sets a benchmark for professional development and offers a practical solution to elevate animal welfare and clinical expertise globally.