PASHU SWASTHYA SAATHI
National Community Animal Health & Livestock Livelihood Initiative
Professional Designation: ARDF Certified Community Animal Health Worker (CAHW)
“Skilling Rural Youth • Strengthening Animal Health • Creating Livelihoods”
1. About the Programme
ARDF Pashu Swasthya Saathi is a national skill development and livelihood initiative of AgroVet Research & Development Foundation (ARDF) designed to create a trained, competent and professionally guided grassroots workforce for livestock health, animal care and livestock management.
The programme aims to provide structured training to rural youth, existing livestock workers, farm assistants, animal handlers, Pashu Sakhis, experienced informal animal-health workers and other eligible candidates who wish to develop a livelihood in the livestock sector.
The programme combines classroom-based theoretical learning, practical training under technical supervisions of Livestock Institute of Training & Development (LITD) through Registered Veterinary Practitioners, online learning sessions, demonstration-based learning, study materials, field exposure, competency assessment, veterinary mentorship, course completion certification and a livestock/animal health service kit.
The programme will focus particularly on basic animal health support, first aid, preventive care, animal husbandry, early identification of health problems, emergency response and timely referral to a Registered Veterinary Practitioner.
2. Programme Philosophy
The programme follows a simple principle:
TRAIN → PRACTICE → ASSESS → CERTIFY → MENTOR → CONNECT → EARN
The objective is not merely to issue a certificate. The objective is to create a competent and responsible grassroots animal-health support person who can provide appropriate services within the legally permitted scope and establish a sustainable livelihood while remaining connected with Registered Veterinary Practitioners.
3. Who Can Apply?
The programme is intended for:
- Rural and semi-urban youth
- Livestock farmers
- Dairy farm workers
- Goat and sheep farm workers
- Poultry farm workers
- Piggery workers
- Existing animal handlers
- Veterinary clinic assistants
- Veterinary field assistants
- Pashu Sakhis and similar community workers
- Livestock entrepreneurs
- Rural unemployed youth
- Individuals who have practical experience working with veterinarians
- Existing informal animal-health workers seeking structured training and competency recognition
- Persons interested in establishing livestock-related service-based livelihoods
Preferred Educational Qualification
Minimum: Class 10 pass or equivalent. Candidates with higher educational qualifications in agriculture, animal husbandry, veterinary sciences or allied fields may also apply.
Experience
Previous experience in livestock handling, farming, veterinary clinics or animal husbandry will be an advantage but will not necessarily be mandatory.
4. Proposed Course Structure
I recommend initially designing the programme as a blended learning programme.
Suggested Duration: Total Training: 240–300 Hours.
| Component | Hours |
| Classroom Theory | 80–100 |
| Online Classes | 30–40 |
| Supervised Practical Training | 100–120 |
| Field Exposure/Case-Based Learning | 20–30 |
| Assessment & Examination | 10 |
| Entrepreneurship & Employability | 10–20 |
| Total | 240–300 |
5. MODULE 1 – Introduction to Community Animal Health & Livestock Services
Topics:
- Concept of Community Animal Health
- Role of a Community Animal Health Worker
- Role of the Pashu Swasthya Saathi
- Importance of livestock in rural livelihoods
- India’s livestock sector
- Major livestock production systems
- Role of livestock in household income
- Animal health and productivity
- Preventive vs curative animal healthcare
- Importance of early detection
- Veterinary referral system
- Relationship between CAHW and Registered Veterinary Practitioner
- Professional ethics and responsibilities
Practical / Applied Learning:
- Identifying normal and abnormal animals
- Basic animal observation
- Recording animal information
- Communicating with livestock owners
6. MODULE 2 – Basic Animal Anatomy, Physiology & Normal Health Parameters
Topics:
- Basic anatomy of cattle and buffalo
- Basic anatomy of goats and sheep
- Basic anatomy of pigs
- Basic anatomy of poultry
- Major body systems
- Digestive system
- Respiratory system
- Circulatory system
- Reproductive system
- Musculoskeletal system
- Nervous system
- Skin and integumentary system
- Normal temperature
- Pulse rate
- Respiratory rate
- Mucous membranes
- Hydration status
- Body condition scoring
Practical / Applied Learning:
- Temperature measurement
- Pulse assessment
- Respiration counting
- Mucous membrane assessment
- Body condition scoring
- Basic physical observation
7. MODULE 3 – Safe Animal Handling, Restraint & Personal Safety
Topics:
- Principles of safe animal handling
- Behaviour of cattle
- Behaviour of buffalo
- Handling goats and sheep
- Handling pigs
- Handling poultry
- Handling aggressive animals
- Restraint techniques
- Use of ropes and basic restraint equipment
- Personal protective equipment
- Bite and kick prevention
- Occupational hazards
- Workplace hygiene
Practical / Applied Learning:
- Safe approach to animals
- Basic restraint
- Haltering
- Physical examination assistance
- Safe movement of animals
- PPE use
8. MODULE 4 – Animal First Aid & Emergency Care
Topics:
- Principles of animal first aid
- Emergency assessment
- Wounds and injuries
- Bleeding control
- Minor cuts and abrasions
- Burns
- Sprains and minor injuries
- Basic bandaging
- Fracture recognition and immobilisation principles
- Shock recognition
- Dehydration
- Heat stress
- Hypothermia
- Choking and emergency response
- Bloat recognition and emergency referral
- Poisoning: first-response principles
- Snake/insect bite: first response and referral
- Electrocution
- Trauma
- Animal emergencies during transport
- Emergency record keeping
- When to immediately contact a veterinarian
Practical / Applied Learning:
- Wound cleaning demonstration
- Dressing and bandaging
- Basic emergency assessment
- Safe animal restraint during emergency
- Emergency transport
- First-aid kit utilisation
9. MODULE 5 – Basic Animal Husbandry & Livestock Management
Topics:
- Principles of scientific animal husbandry
- Housing management
- Ventilation
- Flooring
- Drainage
- Clean drinking water
- Feeding management
- Fodder management
- Mineral supplementation
- Body condition management
- Hygiene and sanitation
- Manure management
- Calf management
- Kid and lamb management
- Young stock management
- Milking hygiene
- Dry-period management
- Heat detection awareness
- Record keeping
Practical / Applied Learning:
- Farm inspection
- Housing assessment
- Feed assessment
- Water quality/hygiene observation
- Body condition scoring
- Farm hygiene assessment
10. MODULE 6 – Preventive Animal Health & Biosecurity
Topics:
- Concept of preventive healthcare
- Disease prevention
- Vaccination awareness
- Vaccination schedules: species/state-specific guidance
- Deworming principles
- Parasite control
- External parasites
- Internal parasites
- Farm biosecurity
- Quarantine
- Isolation
- Disinfection
- Footbaths
- Visitor management
- Farm hygiene
- Disease outbreak response
- Disease reporting
- Movement control during outbreaks
Practical / Applied Learning:
- Biosecurity audit
- Disinfection procedures
- Isolation-area preparation
- Farm biosecurity checklist
11. MODULE 7 – Recognition of Common Livestock Health Problems
Topics:
- Cattle & Buffalo: fever, diarrhoea, respiratory problems, coughing, bloat, loss of appetite, mastitis awareness, lameness, wounds, dehydration, calf diarrhoea, calf pneumonia, difficult calving, retained placenta, milk fever awareness, ketosis awareness
- Goat & Sheep: diarrhoea, pneumonia, worm infestation, foot problems, external parasites, anaemia, PPR awareness, enterotoxaemia awareness, pregnancy-related emergencies
- Poultry: respiratory signs, diarrhoea, sudden mortality, reduced feed intake, reduced egg production, biosecurity problems, common poultry disease warning signs
- Pig: fever, diarrhoea, respiratory problems, skin lesions, sudden mortality, biosecurity
Practical / Applied Learning:
- Recognition, first response, prevention and referral of common livestock health problems
12. MODULE 8 – Basic Clinical Assistance to Veterinarians
Topics:
- Assisting a veterinarian during examination
- Preparing animals for examination
- Basic history collection
- Recording clinical observations
- Preparing examination area
- Instrument identification
- Basic equipment handling
- Sample collection assistance
- Labelling and transportation of samples
- Maintaining clinical records
- Follow-up communication with farmers
- Veterinary referral
Practical / Applied Learning:
- Trainees will work directly under a Registered Veterinary Practitioner and observe/assist in appropriate procedures as permitted by law and under veterinary supervision.
13. MODULE 9 – Veterinary Medicines & Responsible Use
Topics:
- Introduction to veterinary medicines
- Common dosage forms
- Tablets
- Boluses
- Powders
- Liquids
- Ointments
- Sprays
- Injectable preparations – awareness and supervised demonstration where legally appropriate
- Medicine storage
- Cold-chain awareness
- Expiry dates
- Labelling
- Basic prescription understanding
- Medicine safety
- Adverse drug reactions
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Responsible antimicrobial use
- Drug withdrawal periods
- Food-producing animals
- Record keeping
Practical / Applied Learning:
- Medicine literacy, safe handling and compliance with veterinary instructions. Independent prescribing is not authorised by programme completion.
14. MODULE 10 – Animal Nutrition & Feed Management
Topics:
- Basics of animal nutrition
- Energy
- Protein
- Minerals
- Vitamins
- Water
- Green fodder
- Dry fodder
- Concentrate feed
- Feed storage
- Feed hygiene
- Silage
- Hay
- Mineral mixtures
- Balanced ration concept
- Calf nutrition
- Dairy animal nutrition
- Goat/sheep feeding
- Poultry feeding
- Nutritional deficiency awareness
Practical / Applied Learning:
- Feed identification
- Feed-quality assessment
- Basic ration understanding
- Feed storage inspection
15. MODULE 11 – Reproductive Health & Animal Welfare
Topics:
- Basics of reproductive management
- Heat detection
- Breeding management awareness
- Pregnancy care
- Dry period
- Calving/kidding/lambing preparation
- Newborn care
- Colostrum management
- Common reproductive problems
- Recognition of reproductive emergencies
- Animal welfare principles
- Five Freedoms concept
- Humane handling
- Humane transport
- Prevention of unnecessary suffering
Practical / Applied Learning:
- Practical observation and preparation for routine reproductive and welfare management, with referral of emergencies.
16. MODULE 12 – Zoonoses, One Health & Public Health
Topics:
- Concept of One Health
- Zoonotic diseases
- Rabies awareness
- Brucellosis awareness
- Tuberculosis awareness
- Anthrax awareness
- Leptospirosis awareness
- Avian influenza awareness
- Food-borne diseases
- Occupational risks
- Personal hygiene
- Safe milk handling
- Safe meat handling
- Reporting unusual animal mortality
- Community awareness
Practical / Applied Learning:
- Basic zoonotic-risk communication and One Health field practices.
17. MODULE 13 – Animal Identification, Record Keeping & Digital Livestock Services
Topics:
- Animal identification
- Ear tagging awareness
- Animal records
- Vaccination records
- Treatment records
- Breeding records
- Production records
- Mortality records
- Farm registers
- Digital record keeping
- Mobile-based data collection
- Photography for case documentation
- Digital communication with veterinarians
- Tele-veterinary support and referral
Practical / Applied Learning:
- Practical use of records, mobile tools and case documentation.
18. MODULE 14 – Livestock Disease Surveillance & Early Warning
Topics:
- Recognising unusual disease patterns
- Cluster of cases
- Sudden mortality
- Disease reporting
- Outbreak communication
- Farmer awareness
- Quarantine
- Movement restrictions
- Communication with veterinary authorities
- Basic epidemiological concepts
- Community-level surveillance
Practical / Applied Learning:
- The CAHW functions as an early-warning and referral link, not as an independent disease-control authority.
19. MODULE 15 – Farm Management & Livestock Extension
Topics:
- Farmer communication
- Farmer counselling
- Demonstration techniques
- Livestock advisory communication
- Farmer meetings
- Community mobilisation
- Women in livestock
- Youth in livestock
- Smallholder livestock systems
- Climate-resilient livestock practices
- Sustainable livestock management
- Government livestock programmes
- Insurance awareness
- Farmer–veterinarian linkage
Practical / Applied Learning:
- Community meetings, farm visits and farmer advisory practice.
20. MODULE 16 – Livestock Service Entrepreneurship & Livelihood Development
Topics:
- Understanding the local livestock service market
- Identifying service opportunities
- Creating a micro livestock-service enterprise
- Basic business planning
- Service pricing
- Customer management
- Record keeping
- Income and expenditure
- Digital payments
- WhatsApp-based service communication
- Farmer networking
- Building relationships with veterinary clinics
- Working with dairy farms
- Working with FPOs/cooperatives
- Working with NGOs
- CSR-supported livestock programmes
- Government project opportunities
- Livestock insurance facilitation
- Feed and farm-input linkage
Practical / Applied Learning:
- The aim is to enable candidates to develop a sustainable, ethical livestock-service livelihood within the applicable legal framework.
21. MODULE 17 – Professional Ethics, Legal Awareness & Scope of Practice
Topics:
- Who is a veterinarian?
- Role of Registered Veterinary Practitioner
- Role of CAHW
- Permitted vs non-permitted activities
- Veterinary referral
- Veterinary prescription
- Misuse of veterinary medicines
- False claims
- Use of professional titles
- Animal welfare
- Confidentiality
- Record keeping
- Professional conduct
- Ethical responsibilities
- State-specific legal requirements
- Consequences of unauthorised veterinary practice
Practical / Applied Learning:
- Golden Rule: “A Pashu Swasthya Saathi supports the veterinary system; the Pashu Swasthya Saathi does not replace the veterinarian.”
22. MODULE 18 – Employability, Communication & Professional Development
Topics:
- Communication skills
- Local-language communication
- Professional behaviour
- Basic English terminology
- Digital literacy
- Preparing a professional profile
- Customer relationship management
- Entrepreneurship
- Interview preparation
- Self-employment
- Networking
- Continuing professional development
Practical / Applied Learning:
- Professional communication, digital literacy and livelihood-readiness activities.
23. Practical Training Model
This should be the heart of the programme. Each candidate will receive supervised hands-on training at an approved training location such as a veterinary clinic, veterinary hospital, livestock farm, dairy farm, goat/sheep farm, poultry farm, training farm, veterinary institution or approved field-training centre.
Practical training will be conducted under Registered Veterinary Practitioners / Veterinary Faculty / Approved Veterinary Trainers. The trainer will demonstrate procedures, supervise candidates and assess practical competencies.
Hands-on training may include safe animal handling, restraint, basic physical assessment, first aid, wound dressing, bandaging, biosecurity assessment, record keeping and other activities within the approved scope.
24. Blended Learning Model
The programme will use three learning channels:
- Offline Classroom Training – conducted at approved ARDF training centres.
- Practical Training – conducted under supervision of Registered Veterinary Practitioners.
- Online Classes – selected theoretical subjects through live webinars, recorded lectures, digital presentations, case discussions, quizzes and online learning resources.
ARDF’s PAN-India veterinary expert network can contribute to online expert sessions and specialised learning.
25. Study Material
Every enrolled candidate will receive an ARDF Pashu Swasthya Saathi Study Kit, which may include:
Printed Material
- Candidate Handbook
- Animal First Aid Manual
- Basic Animal Husbandry Guide
- Common Livestock Health Problems Guide
- Biosecurity Guide
- Animal Welfare Guide
- Livestock Entrepreneurship Guide
- Practical Logbook
Digital Material
- PDF study materials
- Training videos
- Presentation slides
- Practical demonstration videos
- Case studies
- Assessment questions
- Online learning resources
26. Practical Skills Logbook
Every candidate should receive a Practical Skills Logbook. The trainee’s practical competencies will be recorded throughout the programme.
| Competency | Demonstrated | Supervised | Competent |
| Animal restraint | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Temperature measurement | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wound dressing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bandaging | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Body condition scoring | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Biosecurity assessment | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Basic record keeping | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
27. Assessment & Certification
- Theory Examination – objective and case-based questions.
- Practical Examination – demonstration of selected competencies.
- Viva/Oral Assessment – case scenarios and referral decisions.
- Practical Logbook – verification by supervising veterinarian.
- Attendance – minimum attendance requirement to be prescribed.
28. Certificate
Successful candidates will receive:
ARDF CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY
ARDF Certified Community Animal Health Worker (CAHW)
under ARDF Pashu Swasthya Saathi – National Community Animal Health & Livestock Livelihood Initiative
Certificate should contain:
- Candidate name
- Unique Certificate ID
- Photograph
- Course name
- Training centre
- Training duration
- Date of completion
- Assessment result
- QR code for verification
- Authorised signatures
- ARDF logo
29. Legal Disclaimer on Certificate
“This certificate recognises successful completion of competency-based training as a Community Animal Health Worker. It does not confer a licence to practise veterinary medicine or to represent oneself as a Registered Veterinary Practitioner. All activities shall be undertaken strictly within the applicable legal and regulatory framework and, where required, under the supervision/direction of a Registered Veterinary Practitioner.”
30. Pashu Swasthya Saathi Livelihood Kit
- Protective apron/coat
- Gumboots or appropriate footwear
- Examination gloves
- Mask
- Basic first-aid supplies
- Bandaging material
- Gauze
- Cotton
- Basic thermometer
- Measuring tape
- Basic animal-handling accessories
- Digital weighing/measurement accessories where appropriate
- Disinfection supplies
- Record book
- Farmer advisory cards
- Emergency referral cards
- ARDF ID Card
- Programme certificate
- QR-enabled digital identity
The exact contents should be standardised after pilot testing. The kit should not contain prescription drugs or restricted medicines merely by virtue of programme completion.
31. Digital Identity
- Name
- Photograph
- Unique ID
- District
- State
- Training centre
- Certification date
- Certificate status
- QR code
- Supervising/mentor veterinarian
- Renewal/continuing education status
The QR code can lead to an ARDF verification page.
32. Veterinary Mentor Network
Each group of certified Pashu Swasthya Saathis can be linked to qualified veterinary professionals.
- Technical guidance
- Case referral
- Periodic online interaction
- Continuing education
- Field guidance
- Ethical guidance
- Disease-alert communication
This will allow ARDF and VAI’s professional network to participate voluntarily.
33. Continuing Education
Certification should not be the end. Certified candidates can periodically participate in ARDF Continuing Animal Health Education (CAHE).
- Seasonal disease preparedness
- Monsoon livestock health
- Summer stress management
- Vaccination updates
- Biosecurity
- Emerging diseases
- One Health
- Livestock entrepreneurship
- New government programmes
- Animal welfare
- Responsible antimicrobial use
Candidates may accumulate Continuing Education Credits/points subject to a system ARDF develops.
34. Training Centre Model
ARDF Approved Pashu Swasthya Saathi Training Centres may be established through:
- Veterinary clinics
- Veterinary hospitals
- Veterinary colleges/institutions
- Livestock farms
- NGOs
- Farmer organisations
- Dairy cooperatives
- FPOs
- Agriculture/livestock institutions
- Other eligible organisations
Each centre should meet minimum infrastructure, trainer and practical-training standards prescribed by ARDF.
35. Trainer Structure
- Lead Trainer – Registered Veterinary Practitioner / eligible veterinary academic.
- Guest Faculty – veterinary professors, senior veterinarians, scientists, nutritionists, epidemiologists, public-health experts, animal welfare experts and livestock entrepreneurs.
- ARDF Expert Faculty Pool – national database of volunteer experts.
36. Candidate Journey
- Online Application
- Candidate Screening
- Admission & Enrollment
- Online Orientation
- Classroom Training
- Veterinarian-Led Practical Training
- Field Exposure
- Theory + Practical Assessment
- ARDF Certification
- Pashu Swasthya Saathi Livelihood Kit
- Veterinary Mentor Linkage
- Continuing Education & Livelihood Support
37. Special Track for Experienced Workers
ARDF Pashu Swasthya Saathi – Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Track
For people who have already worked for 2–5 years with a veterinarian and possess practical knowledge but no formal certificate:
- Existing Experience
- Competency Screening
- Gap Training
- Practical Assessment
- Final Assessment
- ARDF Certificate
38. What the Pashu Swasthya Saathi Will NOT Do
- Represent himself/herself as a veterinarian
- Claim to be a Registered Veterinary Practitioner
- Independently diagnose complex diseases
- Independently prescribe veterinary medicines
- Perform procedures outside the legally permitted scope
- Undertake surgery
- Handle critical cases independently
- Delay veterinary referral
- Issue veterinary certificates where not legally authorised
- Misuse the ARDF certificate
Core field principle:
“Observe → Provide permissible first response → Inform → Refer → Follow up under veterinary guidance.”
39. Proposed ARDF Programme Governance
- ARDF Governing/Programme Committee
- National Programme Director
- Academic & Curriculum Committee
- Veterinary Expert Advisory Panel
- State Coordinators
- District Coordinators
- Approved Training Centres
- Registered Veterinary Trainers/Mentors
- Certified Pashu Swasthya Saathis
40. Financial & Livelihood Model
Programme Fee (per candidate): ₹25,000 (Accommodation, food, and personal expenses not included)
Financial Break‑Up
| Component | Cost (₹) | Notes |
| Classroom & Practical Training | 6,000 | Theory sessions, demonstrations, supervised practice |
| Veterinary Practical Supervision & Field Training | 3,500 | Hands‑on exposure under Registered Veterinary Practitioners |
| Study Material (Printed + Digital) | 2,000 | Candidate handbook, guides, logbook, videos, case studies |
| Online Classes, LMS & Digital Learning | 1,000 | Webinars, recorded lectures, quizzes |
| Practical Consumables & Equipment | 2,000 | Bandages, gauze, disinfectants, PPE, farm tools |
| Assessment, Examination & Competency Evaluation | 1,500 | Theory, practical, viva, logbook verification |
| Certificate, QR Verification & Digital ID | 750 | ARDF certificate, QR‑enabled digital identity |
| Livelihood/Professional Starter Kit | 5,000 | Apron, gloves, thermometer, record book, advisory cards |
| Training Centre Administration & Infrastructure | 1,500 | Classroom, animals, facilities |
| ARDF Programme Management, Coordination & QA | 1,000 | Curriculum, certification, digital platform, expert network |
| Total Direct Cost | 23,250 | |
| ARDF Development/Sustainability Reserve | 1,750 | For expansion, R&D, scholarships |
| Candidate Fee | 25,000 |
Candidate Package Includes
- Training: Classroom, practical, field exposure, online sessions
- Study Kit: Printed + digital resources, logbook
- Practical Training: Supervised by veterinarians
- Certification: ARDF Certified Community Animal Health Worker (CAHW)
- Livelihood Kit: Starter equipment for immediate service delivery
- Veterinary Mentor Linkage: Continuous guidance, referral support, disease alerts
For more Information, please contact:- 9431309542/ 8092877290
Write us on:– agrovetfoundation@gmail.com