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From aaep.org/about-aaep
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) was founded in 1954 by a group of 11 charter members who saw that together they could direct the focus of equine veterinary medicine.
Today, the AAEP, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., at the Kentucky Horse Park, represents an educated group of men and women who cover a broad range of
equine disciplines, breeds and associations. Nearly 9,300 veterinarians and veterinary students in 61 countries are members of the AAEP.
Our Mission
The AAEP's mission is to improve the health and welfare of the horse, to further the professional development of its members, and to provide resources and leadership for the benefit of the equine industry. These principles have guided the AAEP for more than six decades in the activities and services it provides.
Long-Range Goals
The AAEP will be the members' primary resource for education, professional development and ethical standards.
The AAEP and its members will be recognized as the voice and authority for the health and welfare of the horse.
The AAEP will be financially secure.
The AAEP will be the respected source of information for influencing public policy.
Strategic Plan
The AAEP conducts regular strategic planning every three to four years in order to establish priorities and set direction for the association. The 2020-2023 plan was formally approved in December 2019 with a primary focus on retention in the profession. To view the latest resources that the AAEP has developed to help its members "change the numbers" and transform equine practice, click here (aaep.org/aaep-equine-veterina....
The three primary goals of the 2020-2023 AAEP Strategic Plan are focused on the following:
1. The Profession. AAEP will work to improve upon the current equine practice model in an effort to improve the practice life of its members and retention within the profession. Secondary strategies to this goal will involve further recruitment efforts to satisfy market demand.
2. Education. The AAEP will continue to provide innovation and improvements in its continuing education offers to members. Key drivers will be to provide member value, return on investment, and community building. Furthermore, the education will be membership-driven and focused on providing education on timely topics and enhancing the member experience.
3. The Horse. AAEP will strive to improve equine welfare, particularly with the racing and performance horse sectors, through education and advocacy of appropriate business and ethical models of practice, enhanced communications amongst members and their clients, as well as between the association and industry stakeholders.
Many areas of the United States and beyond currently face a shortage of equine practitioners to provide veterinary care to horses and other equids. This equine welfare issue will further intensify without action to address the diminishing number of equine veterinarians.The AAEP has formed the Commission on Equine Veterinary Sustainability to develop strategies to retain and recruit more veterinarians to equine practice.The Commission will be led by AAEP-member volunteers with work focused in five key areas: compensation, strategies for effective emergency coverage, veterinary practice culture, internships, and supporting the growth and development of the equine veterinary student.While developing solutions to the five key factors affecting sustainability of equine practice, the Commission will ensure that the needs of one- and two-doctor practices are carefully considered. Approximately 50% of AAEP members operate practices of this size. Outreach to horse owners and equine industry partners will create expanded awareness and yield additional perspective.Transforming equine practice is one of the largest initiatives ever undertaken by the AAEP. We look forward to collaborating with equine veterinarians and those who help support them in all facets of practice to change the numbers.
Why a Shortage of Equine Veterinarians?
According to AAEP data, approximately 1.3% of new veterinary graduates enter equine practice directly each year, and another 4.5% pursue further training in equine internship positions. Within five years, however, 50% of all these veterinarians leave for small animal practice or quit veterinary medicine altogether. The primary reasons are burnout due to the personal demands of the profession and personal struggle due to the lower starting salaries for equine practice when compared to companion animal practice. Many new veterinarians begin their career with more than $200,000 in student loan debt.