Baltimore, MD - The 56th Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, held December 4–8 in Baltimore, MD., attracted a crowd of 5,504 veterinary professionals, guests and exhibitors, making it again the largest equine veterinary continuing education event in the world. The convention returned to the Mid-Atlantic region for the first time since 1998.
“The AAEP has many members who practice in the Mid-Atlantic states and the Northeast, which made Baltimore a very accessible convention location,” said David Foley, AAEP Executive Director. “We have been thrilled with the positive response we’ve received from members about the quality and practicality of the program this year. Many thanks are owed to presenters, the educational programs committee and our great team in the Lexington office for pulling together another fantastic Convention.”
Highlights from the 2010 convention include:
* Installation of new officers and board members. Bill Moyer, DVM, of College Station, TX, was installed as the 57th president. Other members of the 2011 Executive Committee are John S. Mitchell, DVM, Boca Raton, FL., president elect; Ann E. Dwyer, DVM, Scottsville, NY, vice president; Jeffrey T. Berk, VMD, Lexington, KY., treasurer; and Nat A. White II, DVM, Leesburg, VA., immediate past president.
New members of the board of directors are: District VII – Benjamin M. Espy, DVM, San Antonio, TX; District VIII – Brad Jackman, DVM, Oakdale, CA; District X – Emma Read, DVM, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; and Director at Large - Eric S. Peterson, DVM, Lexington, KY.
* Annual awards presented. The association honored several veterinarians and one international charity during the Dec. 7 President’s Luncheon.
Gen. Wayne “Sage” Kester Beyond the Call Award: Charles Raker, VMD
Distinguished Life Member: Jerry B. Black, DVM
Equine Welfare Award – The Lavin Cup: The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA)
President’s Award: Scott Palmer, VMD, and Foster Northrop, DVM
* Auctions raise funds for AAEP Foundation: The annual live and silent auctions held during the Foundation Celebration raised more than $70,000 to help fund student scholarships, benevolence work and equine research.
* Equine welfare a popular topic. Animal welfare and the veterinarian’s role was an integral theme throughout this year’s educational program. Keynote speaker Tom Lenz, DVM, delivered the thought-provoking address, “The Equine Welfare Wars: When Emotion and Fact Collide.” An in-depth session on equine welfare featured several current issues and table topics about assisting abused and neglected horses helped veterinarians learn more about society’s changing view of the horse and how they can make a difference through volunteer service.
The AAEP’s 57th Annual Convention will return to San Antonio, TX, November 18–22, 2011. More information is available at www.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.