The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) presented Harry Werner, VMD, founding owner of Werner Equine in North Granby, Connecticut, the 2017 Distinguished Life Member award for his acclaimed leadership and exemplary service to the association during his 37 years of membership.

The Distinguished Life Member Award honors an AAEP member who has made outstanding contributions to the association throughout their career. Werner was honored Nov. 20 during the President’s Luncheon at the AAEP’s 63rd Annual Convention, in San Antonio, Texas.

Werner’s extensive service to the AAEP during the last three decades is punctuated by his term as president in 2009. He has served as chair of the Convention Planning, Equine Welfare, Finance, Nominating and Purchase Exam committees and as a member of other committees and councils, including current service on the Welfare and Public Policy Advisory Council. A staunch advocate for equine welfare, Werner has served as AAEP’s representative to the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee since 2012, and is also AVMA’s liaison to the Unwanted Horse Coalition. Additionally, he worked with 2009 British Equine Veterinary Association President Chris House to help initiate the International Forum for Working Equids.

Werner received his veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) in 1974. In 2016, a $5 million transformational gift to Penn Vet established an endowed chair in his name at the New Bolton Center, honoring his dedication to equine welfare and global achievements for the cause