If the job trend for veterinary school graduates continues as it has for the past few years, then the answer might be “no.” Concern was raised at the 2002 American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention due to the declining number of students entering equine practice when finishing veterinary school. “There is an acute shortage of new graduates entering equine practice,” noted Bill Rood, DVM, a founding partner in Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky.

This potential crisis caused Rood and some of his peers from across the country to come up with the idea of the Introduction to Equine Practice Weekend Seminar, which will be held Aug. 29-31 in Lexington.

“Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital and its supporting sponsors–Milburn Distributions, the Bayer Corp., Boehringer-Ingelheim Vetmedica, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Intervet, Merial, and private practices from around the country–are hosting the first annual Introduction to Equine Practice Weekend Seminar to provide the prospective equine practitioner with an introductory view of all aspects of equine practice, from the large hospital setting to the independent practitioner, at nominal or no expense to the student,” noted Rood. “Students will be given the opportunity to meet successful equine practitioners from around the country, as well as other veterinary students with similar interests. In addition to this professional contact and camaraderie, students will be treated to scenic tours of the world-famous Kentucky horse country known as the Bluegrass.”

This seminar will be an annual event for veterinary students entering their junior year, noted Rood. To be eligible, students must be national members of their school’s student chapter of the AAEP, and registration is only available through AAEP student chapters