EQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION / AE / JANUARY 2009 iii Meet Harry W. Werner, 2009 AAEP President Hometown: Philadelphia, Penn. What is your primary goal as AAEP president? My goal is to stay true to the present AAEP strategic plan, Current residence: The foothills of the Berkshire Mountains which has three components: high quality continuing edu- in North Granby, Conn. cation, equine welfare efforts and growing the profession. We want to make the equine veterinary profession as Education: University of Delaware, 1969; University of attractive as we can for young people to enter. Pennyslvania School of Veterinary Medicine, 1974 What is the most significant challenge facing the profes- Current positions: 2009 AAEP President; owner of sion today? Werner Equine It is successfully dealing with the numerous equine welfare issues that increasingly confront us. We must help the pub- Past Positions: AAEP President-Elect and Scientific lic understand what we are doing to protect the horse and Program Chair (2008); Vice President (2007); Treasurer enlist their support for our efforts. The AAEP has accept- (1999-2002), Board of Directors (1995-1999); member of ed these challenges. As daunting as some of these issues Professional Conduct and Ethics, Purchase Examination may seem, each one represents an opportunity for our committees; Past President of Connecticut Veterinary association to improve the quality life of horses. Medical Association What advice do you have for veterinarians who are enter- When did you decide to ing the equine profession? become an equine veterinarian? Join the AAEP! Participate, invest in continuing education and give back to your profession. You will not find any As a kid, I don’t remember ever other resource equal to what the AAEP can give you per- aspiring to any career other sonally and professionally. Develop positive, collegial rela- than baseball and veterinary tionships with other practitioners, practice ethically and medicine. Fortunately for me, educate your clients. and no doubt baseball, fate and a greater passion led me to vet- What is the most rewarding aspect of a career in equine erinary medicine. I was accept- medicine? ed into the University of Pennsylvania School of It continues to be the opportunity to prevent and relieve suf- Veterinary Medicine in 1970. Having never been around fering in horses – to improve their quality of life. After 34 horses, I envisioned myself as a small animal practitioner. years of practice, I still enjoy working from farm to farm. However, after my first two weeks of veterinary school classes, Dr. Jordan Woodcock (our sixth AAEP president) How has your involvement with the AAEP influenced gave me a job drug testing Thoroughbreds at Delaware Park your practice? and show and steeplechase horses along the East Coast. I The superb continuing education regularly offered by the suddenly experienced a world I had never known—and I AAEP has directly impacted the quality of my patient care, was hooked! client service, practice management and practice value. My AAEP involvement has enabled me to thrive in a small Who was the biggest influence on your career? practice by providing access via modern technologies to a My wife, Susan. Veterinary medicine was something I supportive network of skilled veterinary colleagues always wanted to do, but we were married before veteri- around the world. I have learned that “solo” practice can nary school. She worked hard to help me get into veteri- really be an outdated label! The AAEP has also given me nary school, complete my studies and create a successful the opportunity to give something back to the profession practice. She is the heart of our family and the indefatiga- and brought me lifelong friendships. ble guardian of my well-being. When you are not practicing, how do you spend your The greatest professional influences have been the many spare time? mentors and teachers I have encountered throughout my We enjoy our small New England farm and spending career and my involvement with the AAEP. I have also time with our children and grandchildren. I love the learned much from supportive veterinary colleagues, ocean and saltwater fishing and go to the beach whenev- trainers, farriers and horse owners throughout my career. er possible. Continued on page IV iv EQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION / AE / JANUARY 2009 AAEP’s 54th Annual Convention brings thousands of practitioners to San Diego The American Association of Equine Practitioners’ 54th Annual Convention united equine practitioners across the globe in sunny San Diego, Calif., Dec. 6-10, for cutting-edge education. With informative lectures, table topic discussions and dry labs, the convention provided quality continued education to 3,201 veterinarians, students and technicians. The trade show brought 2,440 exhibitors to the San Diego Convention Center. Total attendance for the five-day meet- ing was 6,519. Dr. Harry W. Werner assumed the AAEP presidency Dec. 9 at the annual President’s Luncheon. Dr. Werner was induct- ed with two new members of the Executive Committee, Drs. The 2009 AAEP Executive Committee from left to right: Dr. Jeffrey T. Berk and William Moyer, and six new members of William Moyer, vice president; Dr. Jeffrey Berk, treasurer; Dr. the board of directors. Harry W. Werner, AAEP president; Dr. Eleanor Green, immedi- ate past president; and Dr. Nat White, 2009 president-elect. The Dec. 9 AAEP Foundation Celebration at the San Diego Convention Center featured humorist Baxter Black and “In a year in which many conventions experienced low two-time Grammy Award winner Lyle Lovett. The live and turnouts, we were pleasantly surprised with attendance at silent auctions held throughout the night raised $119,615 the AAEP meeting this year, which was great,” Foley said. for the AAEP Foundation. “An outstanding scientific program, coupled with the attractive San Diego location, helped set the stage for anoth- David Foley, executive director of the AAEP, considered the er terrific AAEP meeting.” third largest AAEP convention turnout a success in the midst of a staggering economy. The AAEP congratulates 2008 award winners: Distinguished Educator Award: George Stubbs Award: John K. and Timothy R. O’Brien, DVM, MS, Marianne Castle Ph.D., and the late John V. Steiner, Lavin Cup: Hanover Shoe Farms DVM, DACT President’s Award: Midge Leitch, Distinguished Life Member: Larry R. VMD Bramlage, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS Distinguished Service Award: Susan L. Dr. Larry Bramlage received the White, DVM, DACVIM Distinguished Life Member award at the President’s Luncheon. Meet Harry W. Werner, cont. How do you manage a practice and a personal life? an/handler safety, improve efficiency and reduce liability Having a business partner and good support staff allows risk. We employ skilled administrative staff and work me to focus on patient care, have time for my family and hard to create a positive work environment. We have also personal life and stay healthy. worked hard to build positive relationships with our regional colleagues – veterinarians, referral hospitals, My wife is my business partner and our first hire was a trainers and farriers. trained veterinary assistant to ensure patient/veterinari- EQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION / AE / JANUARY 2009 v Committee members end service The AAEP would R. Reynolds Tiffany Hubbs Russ Peterson Paul Stephens like to thank the Cowles, Jr. John Hurtgen Tony Peterson Scott Taylor following outgoing Nancy Diehl Amy Isaac Linda Quodomine Peter Timoney committee members Allan Dorr Brad Jackman Stephen Reed Mats Troedsson for their service. Ann Dwyer Katy Krista Roger Rees Tracy A. Turner Lane Easter Amber Labelle Christina Russillo Wendy Vaala Kathleen Anderson Leslie Easterwood Midge Leitch Carol Sabo Timothy Vail Marvin Beeman Alexandra Eastman Nancy Loving Sergio Salinas Sally Vivrette Ed Boldt, Jr. Mylon Filkins Margo Macpherson Liz Santschi Harry Werner Larry Bramlage Richard Forfa Monty McInturff Charles Scoggin David Whitaker Bo Brock David Frisbie Vasiliki Meisenburg Gregg Scoggins Nat White Matt Brokken Steve Galloway Nat Messer Mary Scollay Suzi White Jennifer Brown Katherine Garrett Shane Miller Debra Sellon Deborah Whitmer Sara Campbell Jon Gieche John Mitchell Robert Shideler Chris Wilhite Andy Clark Eleanor Green William Moyer Stuart Shoemaker Julie Wilson Carol Clark Scott Handlin Steve O’Grady Bruce Solomon Walter Zent Noah Cohen Kevin Hankins Scott Palmer Debbie Spike-Pierce Dana Zimmel Tim Cordes Michael Harry Dean H. Peterson Christine Starer- Douglas Corey Scott Hay Eric Peterson Smith Thanks for another great convention! VI EQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION / AE / JANUARY 2009 AAEP partners with Intervet/Schering-Plough to support rescue facilities The AAEP and Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health AAEP-member veterinarians who work with equine res- have announced a program that will provide core equine cue and retirement facilities may apply to the program to vaccines to qualified equine rescue and retire- receive cost-free vaccinations. Additionally, sales of all ment facilities across the United States. Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health equine vaccines to participating veterinarians will count toward the pro- The Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief gram contribution fund at one dose of vaccine for every Campaign was unveiled at the AAEP’s 100 doses purchased. 54th Annual Convention with the mission to help overburdened equine rescue and AAEP-member veterinarians or vet- retirement facilities so they can rehabilitate, erinarians who partner with