Diamond Anniversary Draws More than 5,500 to AAEP Convention

The 60th Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, held Dec. 6 – 10 in Salt Lake City, Utah, attracted 5,534 veterinary professionals, guests and exhibitors from around the world to the heart of the American West.

In addition to 175 presentations across four days of education covering topics ranging from colic to regenerative therapies, the Convention featured veterinary legend Dr. G. Marvin Beeman as the keynote speaker. Renowned equine internist Dr. John Madigan delivered the prestigious Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture.

“Our attendees enjoyed the beauty and hospitality offered by Salt Lake City,” said David Foley, AAEP executive Director. “More importantly, this year’s program chair, Dr. Kent Carter, and the Educational Programs Committee developed a comprehensive program that appealed to veterinarians in all types of equine practice, and the association is grateful for their hard work.”

Highlights from the 2014 convention include:

Installation of new officers and board members: Kent Carter, DVM, College Station, Texas, was installed as the 61st president. Other members of the 2015 Executive Committee are Kathy Anderson, DVM, Elkton, Md., president elect; R. Reynolds Cowles, Jr., DVM, Earlysville, Va., vice president; Jack Easley, DVM, Shelbyville, Ky., treasurer; and Jeff Blea, DVM, Sierra Madre, Calif., immediate past president.

New members of the board of directors are Rob Franklin, DVM, Lipan, Texas; Bibi Freer, DVM, Tryon, N.C.; and Katie Garrett, DVM, Lexington, Ky.

Annual awards presented. The association honored several veterinarians during the Dec. 9 President’s Luncheon.

Distinguished Life Member: Terry Swanson, DVM

Distinguished Service Award: Larry Bramlage, DVM, and Wayne McIlwraith, BVSc

Distinguished Educator Award – Academic: Terry Blanchard, DVM

AAEP Research Award: Donald Knowles, DVM

President’s Award: Rick Arthur, DVM

The Lavin Cup – The AAEP Equine Welfare Award: Robbie Timmons, CANTER USA

George Stubbs Award: Dell Hancock

Events raise funds for AAEP Foundation: The live and silent auctions held during the Convention along with a clay shooting tournament and individual donations combined to raise more than $150,000 to benefit the Foundation’s outreach programs.

The AAEP’s 61st Annual Convention will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 5 – 9, 2015.

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 more than 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.