Equine surgeon Alan Ruggles, DVM, DACVS, will represent the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ On Call program and assist USA Network and NBC with horse-health information during the May 6 and 7 live racing telecasts at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Dr. Ruggles will be available to provide timely health reports to the media concerning the equine athletes in the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby. To request horse-health information from Dr. Ruggles, please contact Sally Baker, AAEP director of marketing and public relations, at sbaker@aaep.org or (859) 552-5615.

The On Call program serves all nationally televised equestrian events. Nearly 15 AAEP-member veterinarians in the United States and Canada share their veterinary expertise as On Call spokespersons. The program received the 2008 Special Eclipse Award for its contributions to Thoroughbred racing.

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 9,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.

About Dr. Ruggles:

Dr. Alan Ruggles (pictured on the right) is a veterinary surgeon and partner at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky. Specializing in orthopedic surgery and lameness, he is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and has authored over 20 peer-reviewed papers and eight book chapters about equine orthopedic problems.