AAEP Foundation Distributes Nearly $460,000 to Programs Benefiting the Welfare of the Horse

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation has approved 2016 funding of $459,198 for 27 equine organizations and special projects committed to improving the welfare of the horse.

The Foundation Advisory Council selected recipients from a group of applications and ongoing projects seeking continued Foundation funding during its July meeting. These recommendations were ratified by the AAEP board of directors.

Among the initiatives receiving support are veterinary student scholarships and educational programs, important equine research, Equitarian workshops, unwanted horse programs, and professional and youth development.

New initiatives to receive funding are veterinary student training in working equid medicine through the American Fondouk and Tufts University, the Louisiana State Animal Response Team’s Disaster Training Boot Camp, the 2016 Donkey Welfare Symposium at Cornell University, the U.S. Pony Club’s Equine Management Curriculum and Support Limb Laminitis research projects at the University of Florida and University of Pennsylvania.

Congratulations to the following recipients (by category):

Equine Advocacy/Unwanted Horses
American Veterinary Medical Association Foundation’s Congressional Science Fellowship

• Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium
• Unwanted Horse Coalition and its Operation Gelding Program

Equine Research

• AAEP Past Presidents’ Research Fellow
• EQUUS Foundation/AAEP Foundation Research Fellow

• Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation – EIPH Research
• Laminitis Research at University of Florida and University of Pennsylvania
• Morris Animal Foundation – Equine Research

Equitarian Programs

• Equitarian Initiative Workshop in Honduras
• Equitarian Initiative Youth Leadership Program in Costa Rica
• Equitarian Project in Guatemala/Nicaragua

Professional Development

• Louisiana State Animal Response Team’s Disaster Training Boot Camp
• R Vets’ Donkey Welfare Symposium at Cornell University
• World Equine Veterinary Association’s Biennial Congress and Intermediate Meetings

Scholarships and Veterinary Student Development

• American Fondouk and Tufts University working equid medicine training
• Merck Animal Health/AAEP Foundation Scholarships
• Northwestern Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association Equine Symposium/AAEP Foundation Scholarships

• The Race for Education/Platinum Performance/AAEP Foundation Winner’s Circle Scholarships
• Veterinary Student Educational Programs:
  • AAEP Annual Convention student programs
  • Focus on Students summer meeting
  • Student chapter Essential Skills Workshops
  • Student chapter activities

• Zoetis/AAEP Foundation Scholarships

Youth Development in the Equine Community

• American Youth Horse Council Leadership Symposium
• National FFA Convention and Expo Student Career Workshops, in partnership with Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation
• U.S. Pony Clubs, Inc., Equine Management Curriculum

To learn more about programs receiving financial support from the AAEP Foundation, visit www.aaepfoundation.org and click the “Our Work” tab. For more information about the AAEP Foundation and its grant program, visit www.aaepfoundation.org.

The AAEP Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization created in 1994, serves as the charitable arm of the American Association of Equine Practitioners to improve the welfare of the horse. Since its inception, the Foundation has disbursed more than $3.7 million to support its mission.