Veterinary Students Awarded Scholarships at the 2022 AAEP Convention

The Foundation for the Horse awarded 16 scholarships to students pursuing future careers in equine practice.
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2022 Oakwood Foundation Scholarship Winners
Dr. Margo Macpherson (right), a past president of the AAEP, awards the Oakwood Foundation Scholarships at the 2022 AAEP Convention. | Courtesy AAEP

The Foundation for the Horse awarded a variety of scholarships to veterinary students on Nov. 20 at the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) 68th Annual Convention, in San Antonio, Texas.

The following scholarship programs, managed through The Foundation for the Horse, reward veterinary students at colleges of veterinary medicine in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Europe for their academic excellence, leadership in their school and American Association of Equine Practitioners student chapter, and their long-term goals in equine practice. Applicants apply during their second and third year of school and must also have the support of AAEP members and their clinical instructors.

5 Aspiring Horse Doctors Awarded $5,000 Oakwood Foundation Scholarships

Five accomplished equine veterinary students received $5,000 Oakwood Foundation Scholarships, made possible by the generosity of Renee and John Grisham’s Oakwood Foundation Charitable Trust.

The 2022 Oakwood Foundation Scholarship recipients are:

  • Amanda Bowen, University of Illinois, class of 2023
  • Jessie Cathcart, University of Georgia, class of 2023
  • Anya Floyd, Atlantic Veterinary College, class of 2024
  • Kalene Johnson, The Ohio State University, class of 2023
  • Courtney Wood, Lincoln Memorial University, class of 2023

Alongside her husband, Renee Grisham owns and operates Oakwood Farm in Covesville, Virginia. She is an avid horsewoman and strong advocate for horse health. Among the Grishams’ many philanthropic interests is a dedication to education.

“With the help of The Foundation for the Horse, I am pleased to offer this opportunity to benefit future equine veterinarians,” Grisham said.

“We owe the Grishams a tremendous debt of gratitude,” said Rick Mitchell, DVM, MRCVS, Dipl. ACVSMR, Certified ISELP, Foundation for the Horse chairman. “To have owners who care deeply about the health and welfare of horses by making a continued commitment like this is truly something special. They demonstrate how important education is for the benefit of veterinary students and the horses they ultimately will care for.”

Jeannie Jeffery of Zoetis (center) awards the Zoetis Foundation Scholarships.
Jeannie Jeffery of Zoetis (center) awards the Zoetis Foundation Scholarships. | Courtesy AAEP

5 Students Receive $5,000 Zoetis Foundation Scholarships

Five exceptional veterinary students pursuing future careers in equine practice received $5,000 Zoetis Foundation Scholarships:

  • Megan Elcombe, University of California, Davis, class of 2024
  • Denise Grohn, The Ohio State University, class of 2024
  • Jessie Hoagland, Ross University, class of 2023
  • Vaiva Palunas, Washington State University, class of 2023
  • Katie Stockum, Texas A&M University, class of 2024

“Through the Zoetis Foundation, we are committed to providing opportunities for students through a more inclusive veterinary community,” said Jeannette Ferran Astorga, executive vice president, corporate affairs, communications and sustainability at Zoetis and president of the Zoetis Foundation. “It’s important to us that we support the veterinary profession as it continues to grow in order to meet the need for increased animal care and wellness.”

The AAEP Foundation, the forerunner of The Foundation for the Horse, established this scholarship in 2013. The award is made possible through a grant from the Zoetis Foundation.

Dr. Chrissie Schneider, senior equine professional services veterinarian for Merck Animal Health (at right), presents the 2022 Merck Animal Health Scholarships.
Dr. Chrissie Schneider, senior equine professional services veterinarian for Merck Animal Health (at right), presents the 2022 Merck Animal Health Scholarships. | Courtesy AAEP

5 Dedicated Equine Veterinary Students Awarded $5,000 Merck Animal Health Scholarships

Five outstanding veterinary students intent on careers in equine practice have received $5,000 Merck Animal Health Scholarships awarded by The Foundation for the Horse:

  • Anne Brien, Kansas State University, class of 2024
  • Molly Goldberg, University of Georgia, class of 2024
  • Anam Hamza, Atlantic Veterinary College, class of 2024
  • Silke Hoffman, University of California, Davis, class of 2024

“We are incredibly proud to support these five future equine veterinarians through our continued partnership with the AAEP and its charitable arm, The Foundation for the Horse,” said Bryant Craig, DVM, equine professional services for Merck Animal Health. “These students represent the future of care and welfare for horses, and Merck Animal Health knows their leadership will help move our mission forward by advancing the science of healthier animals.”

Dr. Bill Rood, retired co-founder of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, awards the 2022 Dr. Bill Rood Leadership Scholarship to Bailey Fritz, a dual degree DVM-PhD student at Kansas State University.
Dr. Bill Rood, retired co-founder of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, awards the 2022 Dr. Bill Rood Leadership Scholarship to Bailey Fritz, a dual degree DVM-PhD student at Kansas State University. | Courtesy AAEP

K-State Vet Student Receives 2nd Annual Dr. Bill Rood Leadership Scholarship

Finally, Bailey Fritz, a dual degree DVM-PhD student at Kansas State University, is the 2022 recipient of the $5,000 Dr. Bill Rood Leadership Scholarship. Managed through The Foundation for the Horse, the endowed scholarship was established in 2021 by friends, colleagues, and clients of the retired co-founder of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.

Fritz plans to pursue a career in equine medicine and pharmacology upon completion of her DVM in 2024 and PhD in physiology in 2025.

The Dr. Bill Rood Leadership Scholarship also rewards a veterinary student at a college of veterinary medicine in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Europe for their academic excellence, leadership in their school and AAEP student chapter, and their long-term goals in equine practice. Applicants must also have the support of AAEP members and their clinical instructors.

Rood received his DVM degree from the University of California, Davis, in 1972 and his JD degree from the University of Kentucky in 1975. He started an ambulatory equine practice in Lexington while in law school. In 1982 he partnered with Tom Riddle, DVM, to form what is now Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, which has grown to encompass the original hospital and a veterinary pharmacy in Lexington, as well as satellite hospitals in Saratoga Springs, New York, and Wellington, Florida.

For more information about this program and other scholarships offered through The Foundation for the Horse, visit www.foundationforthehorse.org.

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