HELP US GROW
E.T. Hagyard 1876 Scholarship
Let’s do our part to reverse shortage of equine vets is the U.S. and around the globe
In 2022, Hagyard established a scholarship named in honor Dr. Ed Hagyard, the first veterinary graduate to establish a practice in Kentucky. The $5,000 annual scholarship was designed to support third year veterinary students dedicated to careers in equine medicine. Today, in honor of our 150th anniversary and in conjunction with AAEP, we’re setting the bar much higher to address the growing need for equine veterinarians.
With a goal of raising $1.5 million by 2027, we will offer three (3) $25,000 scholarships, annually, to third-year equine vet students. That’s just a start. If we reach this goal, it would mean 30 students would be funded in this critical year of education over the next decade. And the more we raise, the more scholarships that can be added.
Causes and Impact of the Equine Vet Shortage
Today, the U.S. and countries around the world are experiencing an equine vet shortage due to low numbers of new veterinarians entering the field, high rates of early-career veterinarians leaving the profession, and a significant number of older vets nearing retirement. Further, high student loan debt, the demanding nature of the job leading to burnout, and low relative starting salaries are key factors driving veterinarians away from the equine field. This shortage results in increased difficulty for horse owners to access timely care, potentially increasing costs and impacting equine welfare. The potential consequences of this shortage are numerous and alarming:
Reduced Access to Care: Owners may have to travel long distances to find an equine vet, leading to increased wait times for appointments and emergency services.
Increased Costs: A limited supply of vets can drive up the cost of veterinary services for horse owners.
Geographic Disparities: Rural areas and regions with large equine populations are more severely affected, making access to care even more challenging.
Impact on Equine Welfare: The inability to access timely care can negatively affect the health and productivity of horses.
But the good news is, your donation can make a difference! Here are the potential giving levels that will allow us to succeed.
LASTING LEGACY
What Students and Leaders are Saying about the Foundation:
“The Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Scholarship is making an immediate impact on the lives of future equine practitioners by allowing the students to attend an important continuing education event or provide them the opportunity to take that internship they wanted vs. the one they could afford.”
– David Foley, AAEP Executive Director
“Thanks to the support of the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Scholarship, equine veterinary students’ career decisions can be focused on becoming the best equine veterinarian they can be, rather than student loan debt. This financial freedom brings each student closer to achieving their goal.”
– Dr. Tracy Turner, AAEP President
“Having Hagyard’s support throughout my educational journey has been a tremendous experience. I was welcomed warmly by the team and had the opportunity to engage in insightful conversations expanding my knowledge and understanding of the practice.”
– Tessa Beiter, 2023 Scholarship Recipient
“Your investment in my future not only inspires me but reaffirms my commitment to this field. I look forward to the day when I can give back to the profession and support aspiring veterinary students, just as you have done for me.”
– Brittney Carney, 2024 Scholarship Recipient
Please Give!
Make your tax-deductible donation to this very important effort. And let’s make sure we have a pipeline of quality veterinarians to care for these magnificent equine athletes for the next 150 years.
