The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA) certified 47 trainees on Humane Education in a ceremony held at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture of Addis Ababa University, Bishoftu Campus on April 25, 2016.

The training was offered for about six months on protecting and caring for working animals. The trainees were from Oromia, Addis Ababa and Amhara regional states.

Humane Education, the 1^st of its kind in Ethiopia, is teaching of compassion and respect related to animal welfare principally concerned with the development of the learner into a more thoughtful, caring and engaged member of society for animal protection.

SPANA which collaboratively works with the College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture of Addis Ababa University trained 47 people selected from primary schools, bureaus of education and staff of SPANA project. The trainees have successfully completed their course and were the 1^st to come out as graduates of humane educators.

Dr. Nigatu Aklilu, Director of SPANA Ethiopia Project, speaking on the occasion noted that the project is extensively working to improve the health care and welfare of horses through the provision of treatment and training of the local community on how to handle their working animals better. He went on to state that SPANA undertakes preventive measures and carries out disposal of terminally sick animals.

Dr. Jeremy Hulme, Chief Executive Officer of SPANA UK, for his part noted that SPANA is a charity organization passionate about protecting and caring for working animals such as: horses, donkeys, mules, camels and oxen. He added that the establishment of the project in Bishoftu Campus also provides an environment for veterinary students to learn and practice with veterinary medicine skills.

SPANA is a UK based international animal welfare organization that cares for and protects working animals. The project operates in 10 towns in Ethiopia: Bishoftu, Modjo, Adama, Debre Berhan, Akaki Sub-city, Shashamane, Hawassa, Sebeta, Holeta and Sheno.