The Coyote Rock Ranch Veterinary Scholarships award top veterinary school students with a dedication to equine medicine for their academic excellence, leadership in their school and chapter, and their long-term goals. Penelope Knight, an avid horsewoman and strong advocate of horse health, created the scholarships in 2015.

Awarded in memory of Ellen DiBella, a 50-year plus equestrian and Morgan horse owner whose influence on equestrian sport cannot be overstated. This scholarship was established in 2023 and is funded by Drs. Karen and Frank Wolfsheimer of Micanopy, Florida. This scholarship supports the recipient’s transition from school to practice by providing financial assistance for their last two years of school and next three years afterwards as they remain active in equine veterinary medicine.

Named in honor of Dr. Ed Hagyard, the first veterinary graduate to establish a practice in Kentucky. Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, a leader in equine veterinary care for nearly 150 years, created this perpetual scholarship to support third-year veterinary students dedicated to careers in equine medicine and to celebrate its sesquicentennial.

Merck Animal Health, a long-time leader in the animal health industry and AAEP Educational Partner, is committed to preserving and improving the health and well-being of equines while honoring exceptional veterinary students dedicated to equine practice.

Named in honor of Dr. Tom Riddle, co-founder of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, renowned theriogenologist, and mentor to many. The Dr. Tom Riddle Theriogenology Scholarship rewards a veterinary student for their academic excellence and their long-term goals in theriogenology.

Named in honor of Dr. Bill Rood, co-founder of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, a long-standing leader in the profession guiding numerous future practitioners and practice owners. This scholarship is awarded to a student that exemplifies leadership within the equine profession through demonstrated academic excellence, leadership skills, and commitment to equine veterinary medicine.

The Stirlens are horse owners and advocates from Connecticut who assist new and upcoming equine veterinarians manage their debts upon graduation. These scholarships honor the friends and colleagues of the Stirlens: Drs. Gus Abuja, Bradley Amery and Laura Javsicas, and their dedication to equine medicine and education. These scholarships reward veterinary students annually for their commitment to the equine and academic excellence.

The namesake of this scholarship, Dr. William Sweeney, was an innovative equine veterinarian, educator, and mentor for decades. He was well respected by fellow practitioners and clients for his dedication, knowledge, common sense, innovation, and professionalism. The Dr. William H. Sweeney Memorial Scholarship rewards a veterinary student for their academic excellence, participation in their Student AAEP Chapter, and their demonstrated efforts toward innovation.

Courtesy of the Tennessee Equine Hospital Endowment, an endowment started by practice partners and clients, which shares its support between The Foundation’s three mission areas of education (scholarships), care for horses at risk, and investments in equine research. The Tennessee Equine Hospital Scholarship rewards an outstanding third-year veterinary student dedicated to a career in general equine medicine.

Named in memory of Dr. Ty Wallis, a natural-born leader, friend, son, board-certified surgeon, mentor, pilot, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Above all else, he was an amazing husband and father to the loves of his life: Kristen and Hattie. This scholarship and recipients keep his legacy alive in their care of horses. The Dr. Ty Wallis Memorial Scholarship rewards veterinary students for their academic excellence, participation in the Student AAEP, and their commitment to equine practice.

These scholarships have been supported annually by The Zoetis Foundation, which builds on the Zoetis Inc., an AAEP Educational Partner whose purpose is to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals through grants that support the world’s veterinarians and farmers. The Zoetis Foundation rewards veterinary students for their academic excellence, participation in the Student AAEP, and their long-term goals.