Equine devotees rewarded, executive committee announced
Past AAEP president (1975) Dr. G. Marvin Beeman received the AAEP's highest honor, the Sage Kester Beyond the Call Award, Dec 7, 1999, during the AAEP annual convention in Albuquerque, NM.
Presented to an individual who has made significant and long-lasting contributions to equine veterinary medicine and the community, the Beyond the Call Award is named in honor of its only previous recipient, the late Gen Wayne O. "Sage" Kester, DVM. General Kester was the fifth president of the AAEP and the association's executive director for 25 years.
Dr. Beeman is involved in numerous equine industry organizations. His current positions include AAEP liaison officer to the American Horse Council, trustee of the AHC, chairman of the AHC Health and Regulatory Committee, AAEP liaison officer to the American Quarter Horse Association, AQHA Research Committee member, and member of the Secretary of Agriculture's Advisory Committee for Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases. Now semi-retired, Dr. Beeman remains active at the Littleton Animal Clinic in Littleton, Colo.
Accepting the award, Dr. Beeman said, "It's very difficult for me to tell you how humbled I am, because I have known Sage Kester since 1956."
Past AAEP president (1981) Dr. John T. Vaughan received the Distinguished Life Member Award. Dr. Vaughan was recognized for his contributions to veterinary medicine and the AAEP.
Dr. Vaughan is dean emeritus of Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to serving 18 years in the college's highest position, Dr. Vaughan was a professor and the head of the Department of Large Animal Surgery and Medicine. His work in academics also included service as professor of surgery and director of the Large Animal Hospital at the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University from 1970-1974. Active in professional and civic organizations, he is past president of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
In receiving the award, Dr. Vaughan said, "I rationalize it to myself as not an Oscar to one person for a single, award-winning performance, but recognition of past experiences that stretch over a lifetime. ... I accept this award with humility and gratitude."
Former California state Sen Kenneth L. Maddy was the 1999 recipient of the George Stubbs Award. The award recognizes outstanding contributions made to equine veterinary medicine by an individual other than a veterinarian.
During his career in the California Senate, Maddy's legislative efforts led to funding for equine research. Legislation he sponsored has provided nearly $11.5 million since 1988 for research at the Center for Equine Health at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. His work on behalf of the horse established the position of equine medical director for the California Horse Racing Board and secured the development of the equine analytical chemistry laboratory that was named for him at the University of California-Davis.
"He loves horses, he loves racing, and he is deeply dedicated to the idea of sound, basic research as a means of providing the best health and welfare possible for horses," said Dr. Bobby Lewis, 1998-1999 AAEP president.
The pioneer of resistance-free training, Tom Dorrance, Salinas, Calif, was the 1999 recipient of the association's equine welfare award, the Lavin Cup. Named for AAEP past president Dr. A. Gary Lavin, the award is presented annually to a nonveterinarian or nonveterinary organization that has demonstrated exceptional compassion or developed and enforced rules and guidelines for the welfare of the horse.
For more than 60 years, Dorrance has taught horsemen his approach to breaking and training young horses, using resistance-free methods. Credited with starting the current wave of natural horsemanship techniques, Dorrance's methods are used by many equine practitioners in the care and treatment of their patients. His unique ability to understand horses has proven that working with the horse, instead of against it, is best for the animal's welfare.
The 2000 AAEP executive committee was introduced during the luncheon: Dr. Benjamin Franklin Jr, Miami Lakes, Fla, president; Dr. C. Wayne McIlwraith, Fort Collins, Colo, president-elect; Dr. Jerry B. Black, Oakdale, Calif, vice president; Dr. Robert D. Lewis, Elgin, Texas, immediate past president; and Dr. Harry W. Werner, North Granby, Conn, treasurer.