A full-time farrier, Travis Burns of Marshall, Va., has joined the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. Burns' arrival also brings the addition of equine podiatry services in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

In his new position, Burns will offer specialized shoeing and hoof care for horses.

Proper treatment and care of a horse's hoof is essential to the overall health of the animal, according to David Hodgson, BVSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, FACSM , head of the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences.

"Correctly fitting shoes and properly trimmed and balanced hooves are essential to preventing lameness and other maladies in horses," said Hodgson. "We are very pleased to welcome Travis to our hospital and department, and we look forward to his arrival enhancing our ties to the local community of farriers