Building partnerships and strategic alliances allows us to grow and generate a bigger impact within the country as well as to succeed in the results we are aiming for.
We have several partnerships that have allowed us to come as far as we have, and we would like to acknowledge them:
World Horse Welfare, UK
Founded by Ada Cole 86 years ago, World Horse Welfare is an international horse charity that improves the lives of horses in the UK and worldwide through education, campaigning, and hands-on care. Their international programs are improving how people care for working horses in some of the world's poorest communities. Now working in over ten countries around the world, including Costa Rica.
During 2014 and 2015, World Horse Welfare funded our community-based program, care packs, our parasite research program and, in addition, sent further funds so horses within the reserve could receive veterinary assistance. For the upcoming years, the plan is to continue with farrier, tool-making, and foot care training for horse owners so that they can learn how to trim and clean their own horses ‘hooves. In addition, continue with more in-country training depending on the different needs.
Equitarian Initiative, USA
This volunteer group of Equine Vets bring much needed medical assistance to working equids around the world. As well as first aid, vaccines, castrations and dentistry. Equitarians also provide education and leadership to veterinary and animal science students, and in addition they mentor local, professional veterinary surgeons.
Equitarians have visited different communities within the Indigenous reserve in conjunction with CREW and World Horse Welfare. We look forward to receiving them again every year.
UNIVERSITY OF COSTA RICA, CR
We have an alliance with the Faculty of Agri-food Sciences, and with Animal Science students from the University of Costa Rica. The objective is to improve equids’ nutrition knowledge within the communities; this is done by generating pasture experimental plots and providing training to the community on better nutrition for their working equids’.
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY VET SCHOOL, CR
National University has a very successful indigenous community program based at the Caribbean part of the country which has allowed us to start to work within a new area with different indigenous ethnicities.
SENASA, CR
SENASA is the governmental entity that looks after animal welfare in the country. With this very exciting alliance we are participating in assisting with the production of work protocols and guides used in the country for any working equid community.
MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY, Cr
As part of the important duties the Ministry of Security has in the country, there’s a Mounted police department that participates with horses in any major event that needs organizing and public security. We have participated with them, providing training on horse handling, welfare, nutrition, and hoof care. We expect to continue with this extension program with them and their equids.
CRC CHIRRIPÓ, Cr
CRC Chrripó is a communal organization, 100% costarrican, that works for sustainable development in the communities in the zone of Chirripo National Park. They offer food services, store, equipment rent, lodging and accommodations, and luggage transportation inside the Chirripó National Park, making sure to bring excellent quality service to tourist visitors. Through the partnership with CREW, we work to ensure that the luggage transportation achieves all measures for equine welfare.
PROGRAMA BANDERA AZUL ECOLÓGICA, cr
The Bandera Azul Ecológica Program (Ecologic Blue Flag) is an award that promotes the organization of local committees, a healthy competition and community organizations for the benefit of present and future generations. This program is a voluntary, not charged, recognition with which CREW has established a direct relationship to support the new category of working equids.
ASOCIACIÓN NACIONAL PROTECTORA DE ANIMALES, cr
The National Association for Animal Protection was founded on January 11, 1980. Their work for animal protection is achieved through education so that people can improve the quality of life of their companions. In this recent alliance, CREW aims to join field trips to indigenous communities and focus on equine welfare inspections.
COOPEAGROPAL R.L.
COOPEAGROPAL R.L. is a cooperative company that has become a great source of development to the Coto Sur Valey. This agroindustrial company manufactures productos from the African palm, for commercial or industrial use, focused on human consumption and animal feeding. Being an important employment source for the community, working equids have a leading role in the work force of Coopeagropal.
HALFWAY HOME, TAMARINDO
Halfway Home is a grassroots organization whose efforts are to contain the dog population in and around Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Concerned as well about all animal welfare, this recent alliance makes CREW partner in community campaigns, focusing on working equids in this area.
Costa Rican red cross
Costa Rican Red Cross is a first-response humanitarian organization, private and non-profit, attached to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement; its purpose is to reduce the suffering of people who suddenly become ill, injured, or who see their ways of life altered due to their exposure to accidents, crises, and disasters.
Hacienda Guachipelín, cr
Hotel Hacienda Guachipelín provides national and foreign tourists the opportunity to feel nature, enjoy adventure, and live local traditions through a professional, innovative, and committed team with quality services, environmental, social and business sustainability.
They strive to be the leading company in the eco-tourism and adventure tourism industry in the country, which defends traditions and culture in a sustainable environment.