The American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation will contribute to equine research through a new endowment fund seeded with $150,000 in initial contributions. More than half of the fund came from the estate of the late University of Florida equine reproduction specialist Michelle LeBlanc, DVM, DACT, who died in 2013.<\/p>\n
The fund, announced Nov. 18 during the AAEP annual convention, will be allowed to grow before endowment proceeds are spent on research grants.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe foundation is embarking on a journey of great potential,\u201d said Richard Mitchell, DVM, DACVSMR, chairman of the AAEP Foundation Advisory Council. \u201cFrom this modest start, there is no limit to how far this initiative can go \u2014 no limit to the kinds of important research we can someday invest in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. LeBlanc worked at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine for 22 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis endowment embodies everything near and dear to Michelle in one amazing effort,\u201d said Chris Sanchez, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM, medical director of UF\u2019s Large Animal Hospital. \u201cShe loved the AAEP and everything for which it stands. Michelle also spent her life asking questions. She had an incredibly inquisitive and creative approach to her craft along with the passion to answer as many questions as possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cHer answers have helped horses, owners and veterinarians for decades. This endowment will allow her to continue answering questions vicariously for generations to come while hopefully also inspiring us all to continue asking.\u201d<\/p>\n