When Ocala resident Irene Bryan’s Appaloosa mare, Skippa Secret, gave birth to a premature foal last year, both mother and baby needed immediate medical care. Thanks to veterinarians at the University of Florida’s (UF) Hofmann Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, both horses survived.

"Our personal veterinarian, Dr. Andy Bennett, responded to my call in the middle of the night," Bryan said. "Based on what he saw after coming out and performing X rays on site, he recommended that we get both horses to the foal unit at UF as soon as possible."

When Bryan arrived at UF’s large animal hospital, Bryan said veterinary emergency team members were waiting for them outside the facility with a gurney.

"I was immediately impressed," she said. "The overall experience was very satisfying