WCVM alumna new president of equine practitioners group

Read, who is associate dean for professional programs at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, was installed as AAEP president on Dec. 7 during the organization's annual convention in Nashville, Tenn.

Based in Lexington, Ky., the AAEP is a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. With over 9,000 members worldwide, it's actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.

Read joined Ohio State in 2018 after 11 years on the veterinary faculty at the University of Calgary, which included stints as chair of the clinical skills program, associate dean academic, and interim dean. She previously taught at the Ontario Veterinary College (University of Guelph) and worked for a private specialty referral practice in Alberta.

While in Calgary, Read worked with national and international equine athletes and riders as part of the treatment team at Spruce Meadows' show jumping facility. She also helped develop and validate several simulator models that were later commercialized by Veterinary Simulator Industries in Calgary, Alta.

“AAEP has been like an old close friend from the day I joined as a student to where I am now in my career,” said Read. “AAEP is my social circle and a source of connection to the wider industry. I am grateful to this organization for all it has given me, and I want to give back to others, especially those new to their career. I look at our current issues with retaining new graduates and really want to help that situation so others have the opportunity to make the most of a career in this field and feel like they belong in a welcoming inclusive profession with a bright future.”

After earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree at the University of Saskatchewan, Read completed a surgery internship at Okotoks Animal Clinic in Alberta before returning to Saskatchewan for a one-year internship at the veterinary college where her husband Matt, a 1998 WCVM graduate, was completing a resident in veterinary anesthesia. In 2000, she began a three-year Master of Veterinary Science program under the supervision of WCVM large animal surgeon Dr. David Wilson.

Their research work challenged the practice of performing "periosteal stripping" (hemi-circumferential periosteal transection and elevation or HCPTE) — a standard practice for treating crooked legs in foals at the time. Results of their study, which was supported by the WCVM's Equine Health Research Fund (now the Townsend Equine Health Research Fund), showed that the surgical procedure was no more effective than stall confinement and hoof trimming alone.

Read went on to complete a large animal surgery residency at the University of Georgia and became board certified with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) in 2004. As an AAEP volunteer, Read previously served as a member of the equine organization's board of directors from 2011-2013, as chair of the student programs task force, and as a member of the member engagement, nominating and student relations committees. She currently serves on the AAEP’s educational programs committee.

Read is also involved with the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges' (AAVMC) competency-based veterinary education working group and its council for international veterinary medical education.

Read's term as AAEP president will run until December 2022.

Click here to read the AAEP news release.