NAVIGATORT h e N e w s l e t t e r o f t h e A A E P F o u n d a t i o n

Fall 2014

www.aaepfoundation.org

Mission Statement:To serve as the charitable arm of the AAEP to improve the welfare of the horse.

AAEP Foundation support of equine welfare surpasses $3 million

Grants totaling $284,000 distributed in 2014

With its recent disbursement of $284,000 in grants, the AAEP Foundation has provided more than $3 million in support of equine welfare during its 20-year history.

The 2014 allotment went to support 24 equine organizations and special projects that address a broad range of initiatives aligned with the Foundation’s mission of improving the welfare of the horse.

New initiatives awarded funding were the Horses and Humans Research Foundation for research into equine-assisted rehabilitation for military veterans; and the Equine Land Conservation Resource for its planning and zoning guide to facilitate protection and preservation of lands available for horse-related activities and facilities.

Veterinary student development in the form of scholarships, short courses and student-centric programming at the AAEP’s Annual Convention and Focus on Students summer meeting remained a staple of Foundation funding.

Meanwhile the plight of the world’s working equid population continued to receive attention through support of Equitarian Initiative workshops in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Nicaragua as well as training and education efforts in Mongolia.

Other categories to receive financial assistance were equine advocacy and unwanted horses, laminitis research, equine research, professional development and youth development in the equine industry.

For a complete list of 2014 grant recipients, visit www.aaepfoundation.org and click the “Our Work” heading.

The Foundation relies on gifts—both large and small—to confront the needs of the horse and the equine veterinary profession. The AAEP Foundation thanks you for your support in “Helping Us Help Horses.”

Funding from the AAEP Foundation enabled an expanded slate of student offerings at the AAEP’s 59th Annual Convention, including a variety of dry labs.

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Legacy gift to benefit plight of world’s working equids

From her earliest days as a horse-crazy girl, Dr. Casey Gonda has been continually enriched by horses so it is only natural for her to want to give back to the animal that has provided so much joy throughout her life. Dr. Gonda and her husband, Les, who reside in Keswick, Va., have made such arrangements by pledging a portion of their estate to the AAEP Foundation and becoming members of its Legacy Society. Dr. Gonda recently discussed the couple’s bequest, which they earmarked specifically in support of Equitarian projects.

Describe the important role horses have played in your life?From the time I was 5 or 6, I was determined to become a “horse doctor.” One of my first books, “Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners” by Captain M. Horace Hayes, FRCVS, became my bible. I literally read it to pieces and would proudly explain to anyone who would listen that I was studying to be a veterinarian! As a young teen, I was fortunate to meet a couple of “empty nesters” whose children had moved on but left a barn full of show ponies and horses with no one to care for them. It was then that I was introduced to the world of 4-H, horsemanship and husbandry. After my husband Les and I were married, we began to breed and show Arabian horses and did so for nearly 30 years. All of these experiences and the many “characters” met along the way have directed the path my life has taken.

What prompted your decision to designate your estate gift to the AAEP Foundation in support of Equitarian initiatives?Like many of my colleagues, I have provided pro bono veterinary services over the years for cases of neglect and abuse within my practice area. However, until I read about the benevolent missions supported by the AAEP Foundation, I was unaware of the many well organized groups committed to providing veterinary services to abused or neglected horses, and education to practitioners and horse owners living in impoverished

countries and remote areas of the world.

Talk about the planning that went into your estate gift and the importance of estate planning in general for equine practitioners.Since Les and I have no direct heirs, it was our decision to bequeath the majority of our estate to combine our love of horses and my devotion to veterinary medicine. Only well-informed and careful planning can guarantee your wishes will be met upon your death. In our initial discussions, Les and I agreed that it was important we have some say in how our monies were dispensed. The AAEP Foundation provides the flexibility to earmark how and where your monies will be spent.

Why, as an AAEP member, do you feel it is important to support the mission of the AAEP Foundation?Equine veterinarians devote their lives to caring for and protecting horses. Paraphrasing friend and colleague, the late Dr. Doug Byars, “horses are mute” and it is our responsibility to advocate for them in any and every way we can. As an AAEP member, I expect and appreciate that a portion of my annual dues supports the administrative costs incurred by the Foundation so that 100% of donations go directly to programs that benefit the welfare of horses in the U.S. and elsewhere.

Did the relatively small size of the AAEP Foundation influence your charitable giving decision?

Yes. When Les and I began to investigate to whom we would leave our estate, it became clear that universities and veterinary schools took a large chunk off the top to be used however they saw fit and would not allow us the ability to direct how our money would be spent. Conversely, some smaller welfare organizations were too unstable or poorly managed, and we were concerned our bequest might end up in someone else’s pocket! Though a smaller organization, the AAEP Foundation is professionally managed and overseen by

colleagues with our shared philosophy.

What legacy do you hope to leave through your estate gift?To know that our gift played some part in alleviating pain and suffering experienced by even one horse and hope that our support allows Equitarian programs to continue and grow long after we are gone.

Dr. Casey Gonda and Fox

Legacy Society MembersDr. Kathleen M. AndersonCarolyn Anderson-MeadowsDavid T. & Jodie K. BinghamDr. Jerry B. & Melinda BlackDr. Stuart E. BrownDr. R. Reynolds & Evie CowlesDr. Ann E. DwyerDr. Leslie A. EasterwoodDr. Benjamin Franklin, Jr. Dr. Brendan W. FurlongLeslie R. & Dr. Kathleen

‘Casey’ GondaDr. Michelle M. LeBlanc*Dr. Midge Leitch*Drs. Tom R. & Erin LenzDrs. C. Wayne McIlwraith &

Nancy L. GoodmanDr. John S. MitchellDr. William A. MoyerDrs. Nathaniel A. White &

Leslie Sinn

*Deceased

For information about joining the Legacy Society, contact Jodie Bingham at (859) 233-0147 or jbingham@aaep.org.

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Initial Laminitis Research Project study approaches deadline

We are in the homestretch of data collection for the AAEP Foundation’s Case-Control Study of Pasture- and Endocrinopathy-Associated Laminitis but still need additional cases to reach our goal. We know cases are out there and could use AAEP members’ assistance in collecting data on one eligible laminitis case horse with corresponding control horses to help us reach the data collection finish line for phase one of the Laminitis Research Project.

Successful completion depends on the passion, goodwill and commitment of AAEP members. Thanks to all veterinarians participating in this special effort and going the extra mile to help our profession improve its understanding of this frustrating disease.

To learn more about the study, or to register or submit data, visit www.vetmed.tamu.edu/laminitis or contact the study coordinator, Dr. Michelle Coleman, at mcoleman@cvm.tamu.edu or (979) 219-3523.

Each person submitting data will receive a $50 gift certificate to the AAEP General Store.

The study is supported in partnership by the AAEP Foundation; Prascend® (pergolide mesylate), manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.; and the USA Equestrian Trust.

Laminitis research matching funds challenge issued

Starlight Racing partners, in memory of the stable’s prominent three-year-old Thoroughbred colt Intense Holiday who succumbed to laminitis June 12, has established a $25,000 matching funds challenge to the AAEP Foundation to help increase contributions for the purpose of funding laminitis research. The AAEP Foundation is currently working to raise matching funds.

“We salute and thank Starlight Racing for its dedication to helping us try to solve the mysteries of laminitis,” said AAEP Foundation Chairman Dr. Jeff Berk. “Based on multiple surveys with AAEP members over the past decade, laminitis remains the number one disease equine veterinarians seek answers to. It is based on this

member input the AAEP Foundation started its Laminitis Research Project and is the only research area the Foundation is directly funding.”

“Our impetus to donate and raise money for this research really arose, not just from our loss, but from the overwhelming outpouring of support from the racing community,” said Jack Wolf, founder of Starlight Racing. “We heard hundreds of stories from people who, like us, lost horses prematurely. … The overarching theme I’ve heard has been enormous frustration with regard to laminitis.”

AAEP FOUNDATION, INC.

4075 Iron Works ParkwayLexington, KY 40511TEL (800) 443-0177 (U.S. & Canada)TEL (859) 233-0147FAX (859) 233-1968www.aaepfoundation.org

2014 AAEP FOUNDATION, INC. OFFICERS

Jeff A. Blea, DVM President

G. Kent Carter, DVM President-Elect

Kathleen M. Anderson, DVM Vice President

Ann E. Dwyer, DVM Immediate Past President

James P. Morehead, DVM Treasurer

2014 AAEP FOUNDATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

Jeffrey T. Berk, VMDChairman

Ann E. Dwyer, DVM Board Liaison

Duncan AlexanderDuane Chappell, DVMJack Easley, DVM, MSLeslie Easterwood, DVMAmy Grice, VMDKaren L. Jackman, DVMJohn W. Lee, Jr., DVMJames P. Morehead, DVM John Mitchell, DVM Rick Mitchell, DVMJackie Shellow, DVM, MSTracy Turner, DVMJohn Wesley Williams, DVM

FOUNDATION STAFF

Keith KleineDirector of Industry Relationskkleine@aaep.org

Jodie BinghamDevelopment Coordinatorjbingham@aaep.org

Pam ShookPrograms Coordinatorpshook@aaep.org

Make plans now to attend the 18th Annual AAEP Foundation Celebration, the social centerpiece of the Convention organized exclusively for AAEP members and their guests, partners, exhibitors and friends of the AAEP and the Foundation. Along with the return of the ever-popular live auction, an improved silent auction with limits on the number and types of items accepted will be offered this year.

The Foundation Celebration, sponsored by Zoetis, is set for Tuesday, Dec. 9, 6:00-11:00 p.m. at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. The featured entertainer is country musician and Utah native Charley Jenkins, a finalist on the 2008 NBC series “Nashville Star.”

Ticket price remains $90 per person and includes entertainment, buffet dinner and open bar from 6:00-8:00 p.m., live and limited silent auctions, and dancing. Music will start at approximately 9:00 p.m. Tickets for the event may be purchased with your Convention registration or on site at the Convention while available. Tickets will not be sold after Monday, Dec. 8, at noon.

Live and limited silent auctions set for this year’s Celebration

Potential bidders inspect live auction items at the 2013 Foundation Celebration.

Enclosed is a check payable to the AAEP Foundation, Inc. in the amount of:

o $25 o $50 o $75 o $100 o $250 o $500

o Other _____________________________________________________________

Please charge my credit card: o Visa o MasterCard o AmEx o Discover

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Contribution Please designate my gift to:

o Unrestricted/Area of greatest need o Benevolence

o Equine Community o Disaster Relief

o Education (Scholarships/Student support) o Equine Research

o Laminitis Research

Mail to: AAEP Foundation, 4075 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511 Fax: (859) 233-1968

Make a gift conveniently and securely online at: www.aaepfoundation.org

Legacy Society

o I have included the Foundation in my estate plans and wish to be recognized in the Legacy Society.

o Please send me information about including the Foundation in my estate plans.

Thank you for your support!

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Contribute to the AAEP Foundation

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