That Sheep May Safely Graze

"Dr. David Sherman's account of his experiences in post-Taliban Afghanistan, working to improve veterinary training and treatment for livestock by establishing a network of rural vet centers, is a hard-hitting cautionary tale leavened with hilarity and warmth. He and his colleagues must constantly navigate bureaucratic rivalries and improvise to overcome logistical obstacles. Yet the author finds glimpses of charm and beauty in an impoverished, militarized setting. His most meaningful passages are about animals―whether examining an ailing pig at the Kabul Zoo or a cow at the home of his office cleaner, where he relaxes under a mulberry tree and is later gratified to learn the cow has delivered a healthy calf. Despite all the frustrations, the reader can see what keeps drawing Sherman back to this hardscrabble war zone, where both animals and people struggle daily to survive." —Pamela Constable, Foreign Correspondent: The Washington Post

"American veterinarian David Sherman is offered an opportunity to help rebuild the animal care system for livestock in war-torn Afghanistan. Recognizing that healthy livestock can mean the difference between hopeless poverty and economic stability for rural people in this troubled country, he jumps at the chance. This is the story of that development effort, written in a manner that is inspiring, candid, informative, and easy to read. Sherman relates, with empathy and insight, the challenges and conflicts that he and his colleagues faced to successfully establish a national network of veterinary field units to improve the health and productivity of animals, and the livelihoods of people throughout rural Afghanistan." —René A. Carlson, DVM, President: World Veterinary Association (2014-2017)

"In the world of goat health and husbandry, David Sherman is something of a rock star. He coauthored the first authoritative veterinary textbook exclusively on diseases of goats, and is known as a practitioner, policy maker, and advocate for global animal health. Here he reveals himself as an engaging author and development worker whose passions led him to war-torn Afghanistan to work among poor herders and farmers, and build veterinary service delivery networks and vaccine cold chains to keep their animals healthy. There are few good stories that have come out of America's adventures in Afghanistan. This is one of them." —Brad Kessler, author of Goat Song: A Seasonal Life, a Short History of Herding, and the Art of Making Cheese

"There are literally billions of animals (cows, sheep, goats, etc.) that often represent the only assets extremely poor rural families depend on for income, nutrition, status, power, fiber, fertilizer, fuel, and more. One of the major challenges facing these farmers and herders is the health of their animals. Paraveterinary (extension and clinical service) networks are often discussed but rarely well-established on any kind of sustainable and self-reliant basis. That Sheep May Safely Graze is an extraordinary story of success in building community-led, community-supported, and accountable networks of paravets who are protecting and enhancing the value of the livestock in Afghanistan. Their lessons learned are relevant to all of us engaged in livestock management, and it makes for a captivating and engrossing book on how things can get done when it matters to people." — Pierre Ferrari, President and Chief Executive Officer: Heifer International

"Veterinarian and global goat health expert David Sherman shares his big-picture view of the development challenges in Afghanistan based on his years of living there. He illustrates the importance of animal health, often overlooked by development experts, so readers can appreciate how healthy sheep and goats provide livelihoods for rural people, food for hungry cities, and wool for beautiful carpets. The book contains numerous short and charming vignettes that vary from quiet delight in small farm life to portraits of fascinating individuals to frustration with ever-changing political agendas. Most importantly, David invites readers to see the dignity and humanity in his Afghan colleagues and ordinary villagers. Western development aid has resulted in too few successes, but this highly readable account of Afghanistan's veterinary field unit project is a "how-to" of effective assistance that improves the lives of animals and the people who depend on them."s —Beth A. Miller, President: International Goat Association

"The author tells his compelling story with a combination of humor, suspense, and inspiration, with heartwarming tales of farmers whose lives have been changed because of the education they have received from Dr. Sherman's leadership, veterinary manuals, and paraveterinarian training courses...Anyone with an interest in international development can and should read this book. It is well written and informative and contains sound advice with limited technical jargon." —Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association