The Foundation for the Horse has named 10 exceptional veterinary students as recipients of the 2025 Zoetis Foundation Scholarships to be formally presented during the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) 71st Annual Convention in Denver on December 7, 2025. 

Administered by The Foundation for the Horse, these scholarships recognize veterinary students at colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States, Canada, and the West Indies for academic excellence, leadership in their schools and AAEP student chapters, and commitment to long-term careers in equine practice. Applicants apply during their third year of veterinary school and must be endorsed by AAEP members and clinical instructors. 

The 2025 scholarship recipients are: 

  • Mia Durham, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
    Durham aims to integrate farrier skills with equine veterinary medicine through private practice internships and scholarship support, aspiring to be a compassionate, collaborative leader shaped by challenging cases such as laminitis. 
  • Diego Figueroa, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine
    Figueroa aspires to become a well-rounded equine veterinarian with a focus on clinical skills, acupuncture, ambulatory medicine and sports medicine, while his leadership as former AAEP student chapter president has strengthened his mentorship and event planning abilities. 
  • Katie Haydon, Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine
    Haydon seeks to become a rural equine veterinarian and practice owner dedicated to community education and quality care, pursuing mentorship and scholarship support to address local needs, reduce student debt and advance veterinary outreach leadership. 
  • Latisha Margis, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
    Margis is pursuing a broad-based equine veterinary career, building skills through clinical work and externships at Texas A&M, while her leadership as polo coach and Horse Care Advisor has strengthened her commitment to teamwork, communication and positive impact in the veterinary community. 
  • Zachary Meyer, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine
    Meyer aspires to become a versatile equine general practitioner with a focus on podiatry and lameness, using scholarship support to pursue specialized training and mentorship, while his leadership experience at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute has reinforced his dedication to guiding future veterinary professionals. 
  • Margaret Piecz, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
    Piecz aims to become an equine surgeon integrating clinical excellence and research, pursuing advanced training backed by scholarship funding, while her leadership in AAEP student chapter roles and veterinary nursing highlights her commitment to teamwork, education and future contributions to equine veterinary medicine. 
  • Hedy Seeber, Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine
    Seeber aspires to establish a rural, performance-focused equine practice in Northeastern Washington, specializing in sports medicine and lameness, while providing practical skill-building and mentorship opportunities. 
  • Dileydis Soto Montes, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
    Montes is dedicated to advancing equine medicine in preventive and emergency care, establishing a private ambulatory practice in Puerto Rico, and leading educational and outreach initiatives for underserved communities, driven by personal experience and strengthened by leadership in volunteer and health programs. 
  • Seline Stoop, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
    Stoop seeks to advance in equine veterinary medicine through clinical internships and continuing education, with interests in internal medicine and leadership roles that have led to operational improvements and increased student engagement at NC State. 

“Fostering opportunities for students to thrive in the veterinary community is crucial to support the evolving veterinary profession in meeting the rising demand for enhanced animal care and wellness,” said Jeannette Ferran Astorga, president of the Zoetis Foundation and executive vice president of corporate affairs at Zoetis.

The AAEP Foundation, predecessor to The Foundation for the Horse, established this scholarship in 2013; it has been supported by grant funding from the Zoetis Foundation since 2021. 


About Zoetis Foundation

The Zoetis Foundation’s mission is to care for those who care for animals — supporting veterinary professionals and livestock farmers to build a better world. Since 2021, the Foundation has distributed $35 million in grants to support education, well-being, and livelihoods in the veterinary and livestock professions. The Foundation’s grantmaking priorities include empowering the next generation of leaders in animal health, supporting mental health and resilience in the workforce, and advancing opportunities for thriving livelihoods in animal husbandry. To learn more about the Zoetis Foundation, visit: www.zoetisfoundation.org. 


About The Foundation for the Horse

Established in 1994, The Foundation for the Horse is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization transforming the lives of horses through equine veterinary education and scholarships, medical research, natural disaster relief, and support for working equids and horses in need worldwide. As the charitable arm of the AAEP, The Foundation is governed by leading equine veterinarians and industry stakeholders and awards more than $1 million annually in scholarships, grants and program support. Visit foundationforthehorse.org to learn more.