AAEP Member Thomas Hoyme Assists Rescue in Making Tough Healthcare Decisions

The American Association of Equine Practitioners commends the professional candor and sensitivity Dr. Thomas Hoyme has demonstrated while caring for rescue horses at True Innocents Equine Rescue (TIER).  Dr. Hoyme of Chino, Calif., has been selected as the Good Works for Horses Campaign honoree for the month of August.

The AAEP’s Good Works for Horses Campaign honors AAEP-member practitioners who perform volunteer service to improve equine welfare in their communities. Horse owners, equine organizations and veterinary professionals are encouraged to nominate a veterinarian to be considered for recognition by Sept. 30.

Gail Gleeson, the founder of TIER in Riverside, Calif., said Dr. Hoyme has assisted her in making tough decisions for the welfare of her horses for 13 years. The 20 horses and donkeys at the rescue suffer from complicated conditions, such as founder, burn wounds, chronic gastrointestinal problems and behavioral disorders. Gleeson said Dr. Hoyme knows when to make tough calls to euthanize a horse and when to try “last resort” treatments to preserve a horse’s life. In addition to years of dedication to the rescue, Dr. Hoyme has assisted its operation by providing low-cost euthanasia, farm call services and pharmaceuticals.

“People who are very kind have trouble with that concept that the quality of life is probably more important than the quantity,” Dr. Hoyme said. “That’s a thing we struggle with back and forth. We try to decide what we can do to make the horse comfortable.”

Dr. Hoyme recognizes that TIER does its small part to stop the rising population of unwanted horses. He said he knows small rescues are struggling, and helping Gleeson keep veterinary costs down is his way of supporting her mission. He said he also makes special considerations for all of his clients who struggle to finance costly veterinary services in the current economy.

Throughout 2011, the AAEP’s Good Works for Horses Campaign will spotlight AAEP-member practitioners whose volunteer efforts are improving the health and welfare of horses. Monthly honorees will be considered for the 2011 Good Works Award, to be presented during the 57^th Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas. Nominations will be accepted through the month of September and forms are currently available at www.aaep.org/goodworks.htm.

The Good Works Campaign is sponsored in part by AAEP Educational Partner, Pfizer Animal Health. Pfizer Animal Health strives to improve horse health by helping to build strong relationships between veterinarians and horse owners and providing a range of products backed by the highest standards of scientific research.

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.