The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) commends the professional candor and sensitivity Thomas Hoyme, DVM has demonstrated while caring for rescue horses at True Innocents Equine Rescue (TIER). Hoyme, of Chino, Calif., has been selected as the Good Works for Horses Campaign honoree for the month of August.

Gail Gleeson, the founder of TIER, which is located in Riverside, Calif., said Hoyme has assisted her in making tough decisions for the welfare of her horses for 13 years. The 20 horses and donkeys at the rescue suffer from complicated conditions, such as founder, burn wounds, chronic gastrointestinal problems and behavioral disorders. Gleeson said Hoyme knows when to make tough calls to euthanize a horse and when to try "last resort" treatments to preserve a horse’s life. In addition to years of dedication to the rescue, Hoyme has assisted its operation by providing low-cost euthanasia, farm call services, and pharmaceuticals.

"People who are very kind have trouble with that concept that the quality of life is probably more important than the quantity," Hoyme said. "That’s a thing we struggle with back and forth. We try to decide what we can do to make the horse comfortable."

Hoyme recognizes that TIER does its small part to stop the rising population of unwanted horses. He said he knows small rescues are struggling, and helping Gleeson keep veterinary costs down is his way of supporting her mission. He said he also makes special considerations for all of his clients who struggle to finance costly veterinary services in the current economy