Six Promising New Veterinarians Receive AAEP Foundation Scholarships

Six veterinary graduates of 2016 committed to careers in equine medicine have been selected by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation to receive $4,000 scholarships. The scholarships will be presented during the Dec. 6 AAEP Foundation Celebration, held in conjunction with the AAEP’s 62^nd Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla.

Five of the graduates will receive the annual Zoetis/AAEP Foundation Scholarships; the other graduate will be the recipient of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association (NWPVMA) Equine Symposium/AAEP Foundation Scholarships. Both scholarship programs reward graduating veterinary students with a dedication to equine medicine for their academic excellence, leadership in their school and AAEP student chapter, and their long-term goals.

Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients:

Zoetis/AAEP Foundation Scholarships

Holly Brown, University of Wisconsin
Ethan Hefner, North Carolina State University
Kathleen Morriss, Auburn University
Shanna Nelson, University of Missouri
Helen Sims, Colorado State University

NWPVMA Equine Symposium/AAEP Foundation Scholarships

Elizabeth Hoaglund, Colorado State University

In additional to the financial award, each recipient will receive a travel stipend to attend the annual convention as well as complimentary convention registration and ticket to the AAEP Foundation Celebration.

Veterinary student applicants are nominated for the scholarships by representatives from their colleges. In addition to academic excellence, recipients are evaluated on their leadership abilities and involvement in activities benefiting the health and welfare of horses. Each accredited college or school of veterinary medicine with an AAEP student chapter may use its own criteria to nominate a fourth-year veterinary student who plans to enter equine practice.

The awards from Zoetis are available thanks to the donations of Zoetis customers who participated in the Industry Support Program. These veterinarians designated that a portion of their product purchases be used for scholarships for AAEP student members.

“As an AAEP educational partner, we are delighted to honor these exceptional graduating veterinary students who have taken a special interest in equine medicine,” said Douglas Braun, DVM, MBA, manager veterinary marketing with the Veterinary and Reseller Marketing group at Zoetis. “We also recognize the vital role our dedicated customers play in sponsoring these scholarships, and we are pleased to continue supporting the leadership established by the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the AAEP Foundation.”

The scholarship award from the NWPVMA Equine Symposium is available thanks to the quality of the equine veterinarian speakers that have drawn the generous support of its corporate and local financial sponsors, as well as outstanding attendance throughout the 11 years the symposium has been held.

“On behalf of the many sponsors, the 1,200-plus individual participants and all those who assisted in the success of the NWPVMA Equine Symposiums, as equine symposium coordinator, I am pleased to be able to present this scholarship through the AAEP Foundation to an exceptional future equine veterinarian,” said David V. Medic, DVM, of Clarks Mills, Pa.

For more information about AAEP Foundation scholarship programs, please visit https://www.foundationforthehorse.org/scholarships.

About AAEP Foundation

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 allocated more than $3 million to support its mission. For more information, visit foundationforthehorse.org.

About Zoetis 

Zoetis (zō-EH-tis) is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting customers and businesses focused on raising and caring for livestock and companion animals. Building on a 60-year history as the animal health business of Pfizer Inc., Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, complemented by diagnostic products and genetic tests and supported by a range of services. The company generated annual revenues of $4.3 billion in 2012. It has more than 9,300 employees worldwide and a local presence in approximately 70 countries, including 29 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries. Its products serve veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for livestock and companion animals in 120 countries. For more information, visit www.zoetisUS.com. Follow us on Facebook^® at Facebook.com/EQStable and on Pinterest^® at pinterest.com/EQStable.

About Northwestern Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association

The Northwestern Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association Equine Symposium was initiated in 2006 to provide local area horse owners with an outstanding educational and personal experience through lectures given by some of the world’s most knowledgeable and recognized equine veterinarians. That inaugural event was a huge success and was subsequently extended the next year to a two-day affair. Veterinarians, farriers, students and staff attended on day one. Horse owners, trainers and the equine-loving public were the predominant audience attending the second day. The two-day Equine Symposium has been held annually since, with each attendee treated as though the day’s events were produced especially for them.