Sep 27, 2019
The AAEP Foundation has approved $731,000 in grants for 28 programs and projects committed to the Foundation’s mission of improving the welfare of horses.
The Foundation Advisory Council at its summer meeting selected recipients from a group of applications and ongoing projects seeking continued Foundation support. These recommendations were ratified by the AAEP board of directors.
The disbursement includes support for 10 working equid welfare projects administered by “Equitarian” veterinarians throughout Central and South America, the Caribbean and the United States, along with funding for 55 scholarships to help students and recent graduates offset the financial strain of veterinary school.
Allocated funds are also earmarked for four disaster preparedness programs, including a large animal rescue course hosted by the Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine and disaster preparedness training offered by the Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation.
Other projects receiving funds include essential skills workshops and convention programming for students as well as five equine research projects spearheaded by graduate students and/or residents.
Following are a list of grants by project area.
Disaster preparedness:
Disaster preparedness training – LA County Animal Care Foundation
Large Animal Rescue Course – Lincoln Memorial University CVM
National Alliance of State Animal & Agricultural Emergency Annual Conference
Noah’s Legacy Disaster Relief Fund – LA County Animal Care Foundation
Equine research projects:
Equine platelet-derived peptides as novel disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs
Identification and validation of alleles responsible for cardiac arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation
Investigating equine endometrial signaling pathways using an organoid culture system
Understanding the role of MHCI compatibility in equine allogenic mesenchymal stem cells
Validation of an antemortem diagnostic test for equine neuroaxonal dystrophy (eNAD)
Scholarship awards for 2019:
AAEP Past Presidents’ Research Fellowship
Coyote Rock Ranch Scholarships
EQUUS Foundation Research Fellowship
Merck Animal Health Scholarships
Oakwood Foundation Scholarships
Race for Education Scholarships/Platinum Performance
Zoetis Scholarships
Working equid welfare projects:
Donkey Welfare Symposium
Equitarian Young Leader Development Scholarships
Guatemala Equitarian Project – 6 Communities
Guatemala/Nicaragua – Texas Equitarian Project
Haiti Veterinary Agent Training
Honduras Equitarian Project
Ngabe Indigenous Reserve, Costa Rica Equitarian Project
Peru Equitarian Project Cusco Region – 5 Communities
South Dakota Pine Ridge Indian Reservation EI Project
South Dakota Cheyenne River Indian Reservation EI Project
Other grants:
AAEP Student Programs
Essential Skills Workshop
Student Chapter and Convention Programs
Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover Symposium
The AAEP Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization established in 1994, serves as the charitable arm of the American Association of Equine Practitioners to improve the welfare of horses. Since its inception, the Foundation has disbursed more than $6 million to fulfill its vital mission. For more information about the Foundation and its impact on horse welfare, visit aaepfoundation.org.
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