Horse Illustrated Magazine

The American Association of Equine Practitioners is celebrating the good works of veterinarians who are devoting time and expertise beyond the scope of their everyday practice to help horses and the equine community.

Throughout 2011, the AAEP’s Good Works Campaign will spotlight AAEP-member practitioners whose volunteer efforts are improving the health and welfare of horses. According to a 2009 AAEP Equine Welfare survey, 71 percent of members had donated resources or services to assist the equine community in the past year.

The AAEP invites horse owners and organizations to nominate veterinarians who have contributed veterinary services or resources to benefit horses and the local equine community. Each month, the AAEP will select a veterinarian nominated by a horse owner or organization for special recognition. Monthly honorees will be considered for the 2011 Good Works Award, to be presented during the 57th Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas. The deadline for horse owners and organizations to nominate a veterinarian for January is Jan. 31. The nomination form is available at www.aaep.org/goodworks.htm.

The AAEP defines good works as selfless acts of giving back to the horse, for the sake of the horse and people they serve. Examples of good works may include:

• Offering free or low-cost vaccinations or veterinary services to a community
• Volunteering services or resources at an equine rescue or retirement facility
• Volunteering services or resources at a horse-related therapy center
• Contributing funds to support an equine-related benevolent program
• Participating in educational programs for youth equine organizations
• Educating clients or horse owners about proper horse health care
• Helping working equids locally or abroad, including projects in third world countries

AAEP members performing “good works” will be featured on the AAEP’s Good Works webpage, in Equine Veterinary Education, and a bi-monthly e-newsletter, Spur of the Moment. In addition, a few Good Works candidates will share their volunteer experiences first-hand through the AAEP’s Good Works Blog: Works in Progress.

To discover the Good Works of AAEP veterinarians, nominate a Good Works candidate or find out how you can get started volunteering, visit www.aaep.org/goodworks.htm. For more information on nominating a veterinarian for this program, contact Elizabeth Troutman, publications coordinator, at etroutman@aaep.org.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, the AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its over 10,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.