At the 2005 AAEP Convention held Dec. 3-7 in Seattle, Wash., the founders of Days End Farm Horse Rescue received the Lavin Cup, which is the AAEP’s equine welfare award named for longtime racetrack practitioner Gary Lavin, VMD, of Kentucky.

Allan and Kathleen Schwartz started Days End Farm in 1989. Since then, their farm has been home to more than 1,000 abused and neglected horses. The organization takes a direct role in educating animal control officers, veterinarians, and prosecutors about horse abuse and neglect. They also teach a course in large animal rescue to first-responder personnel.
Days End personnel took an active role in rescuing horses and other animals in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.

Thomas R. Lenz, DVM, MS, an AAEP past president, received the 2005 Distinguished Service Award from AAEP. This award honors individuals who have provided exemplary service to the AAEP or a similar organization to the benefit of the horse, horse industry, or equine veterinary medicine. Lenz currently chairs  the AAEP Equine Welfare Committee.
Charles F. Reid, VMD, received the Distinguished Educator Award from the AAEP. He joined the staff at the fledgling University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center in 1963, focusing on radiology, and he retired as Emeritus Professor in 1998.

Professor Edward L. Squires, PhD, received the AAEP’s George Stubbs Award, which recognizes contributions made to equine veterinary medicine by individuals other than veterinarians. Squires’ focus on equine reproduction has led the world to a better understanding of that field. He continues teaching today at CSU, where’s he’s been conducting research since 1976