Editors note: This exciting seminar, to encourage careers in equine veterinary, is returning this year from Friday, August 30, 2024 to Sunday, September 01, 2024 in Lexington KY. In addition the seminar will also be presented again in 2025. The success of this program in 2023, as described below, is encouraging as the shortage of equine veterinarians is addressed.
by Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital
Opportunities in Equine Practice Seminar (OEPS), a professional forum created to encourage students to enter equine practice upon graduation, was held this past Labor Day in Lexington, Kentucky. After a ten-year hiatus, the event was reestablished to address the emerging crisis of the diminishing number of graduating veterinary students entering equine practice.
The seminar hosted third-year veterinary students with practitioners from around the country on hand to present their experiences in various disciplines, from general and mixed practice to board specialties, providing an introductory view of all aspects of equine practice, from the large hospital setting to the solo practitioner, at nominal or no expense to the student.
The event is the result of the cooperative efforts of equine practitioners from across North America, with additional financial support from industry sponsors and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).
Attendees could engage in interactive discussions with equine practitioners and industry partners, tour equine hospitals, local horse farms, and Keeneland racetrack, as well as participate in hands-on workshops. OEPS 2023 was an unforgettable experience for those attending.
“We are thrilled to have such an amazing outpouring of support since the announcement of the return of OEPS, and due to the support of the equine practices and industry partners that joined us, we were able to sponsor over 260 students to attend from the US, Canadian, and island schools,” said Dr. Craig Lesser, the lead organizer of OEPS. “With dwindling numbers of students pursuing careers in equine practice, we aimed to inspire and equip students with knowledge about the vast opportunities within equine practice that make our careers uniquely gratifying.”
It was a rare opportunity for practices to positively influence hundreds of veterinary students interested in equine practice and cultivate relationships that will lead to future externs, interns, associates, and colleagues. Many attending practices have already pledged support in future years, as they saw how it was nice to see so many students actively interested in equine practice!
The survey of students after the event had some wonderful responses, including one student saying, “I thought it was an awesome weekend, I left feeling motivated for third year and getting closer to being with the equine vets in the field.” And another, “I loved the weekend; I really appreciated the opportunity to network with so many practices and meet other students who were interested in the same thing as me.”
One question asked on the survey was: “Based on your knowledge of equine practice before (then after) attending OEPS, how likely will you choose equine practice as your career?” Before the conference, eighty percent of respondents thought they were 80% confident that they would enter equine practice; however, after OEPS, that number rose to ninety-seven percent.
Looking forward, we plan to once again host OEPS on Labor Day weekend in 2024 for veterinary students entering their third year (2026 graduates). We must continue to encourage gifted students to pursue careers in equine practice and equip them with practical information for launching successful careers.
For more information on OEPS and ways to participate, please visit: oeps.com
This article by Rood & Riddle is published here with permission.
You can find this event and more on the EIE Calendar of Events. There are more informative articles in our section on Health & Education.
