Nearly 5,500 Soak in Sun and Science at AAEP Convention in Orlando

The American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) 62^nd Annual Convention, held Dec. 3–7 in Orlando, Fla., dispensed the essential knowledge, emerging diagnostics and newest treatments across the medical spectrum to help practitioners provide optimal care to their equine patients. Convention attendance comprised 5,471 veterinary professionals, students, guests and exhibitors from across the United States, Canada and 46 other countries.

The meeting offered more than 130 hours of continuing education in core areas of equine medicine, including imaging, infectious disease management, internal medicine, lameness and reproduction. In addition, renowned airway surgeon Norm Ducharme, DVM, MSc, DACVS, presented the prestigious Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture while acclaimed ethics speaker Chuck Gallagher delivered the keynote presentation.

“Program Chair Dr. Reynolds Cowles and the Educational Programs Committee created an excellent educational program that delivered relevant and desired content that will help our members perform their jobs to the best of their ability, no matter if they are in the field, the hospital or the classroom,” said AAEP Executive Director David Foley. “New interactive technology within selected sessions brought additional value and a fresh dimension to the program by enabling audience-speaker engagement through their smartphone, tablet or laptop.”

In addition to the educational program, the convention offered a variety of social and networking opportunities at which practitioners and students could expand their professional footprint; and a trade show featuring 347 exhibiting companies showcasing the newest products and services for equine practice.

Highlights from the 2016 convention included:

Installation of new officers and board members: R. Reynolds Cowles, Jr., DVM, Free Union, Va., was installed as the 63^rd president. He is joined as a 2017 officer by Margo Macpherson, DVM, Gainesville, Fla., president-elect; Jeffrey T. Berk, VMD, Lexington, Ky., vice president; Jack Easley, DVM, Shelbyville, Ky., treasurer; and Kathleen Anderson, DVM, Fair Hill, Md., immediate past president.

New members of the board of directors are Leslie Easterwood, DVM, College Station, Texas; and Tracy Turner, DVM, DACVS, DACVSMR, Stillwater, Minn.

Presentation of annual awards: Four AAEP members and two horse industry advocates were honored during the President’s Luncheon on Dec. 6.

The Lavin Cup: Michael Blowen, founder, Old Friends Equine

AAEP George Stubbs Award: Jay Hickey, past president, American Horse Council

Distinguished Educator Award – Academic: Dennis Brooks, DVM, Ph.D., DACVO

Distinguished Service Award: Bill Moyer, DVM

Distinguished Life Member Award: Glenn Blodgett, DVM

President’s Award: Nat White, DVM, MS, DACVS

Generation of funds for the AAEP Foundation: Combined proceeds from the AAEP Foundation Benefit Golf Tournament, silent auction, special gifts and the inaugural Collegiate Challenge—won by Texas A&M University—raised more than $97,000 for the Foundation’s mission to improve the welfare of the horse.

Photos and videos from the 2016 convention can be found on the AAEP’s Facebook page by searching American Association of Equine Practitioners.

The AAEP’s 63^rd Annual Convention will be held in San Antonio, Texas, Nov. 17-21, 2017.

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, 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.