EQUUS Foundation Supports Katrina Equine Disaster Relief

Updated Sept. 26, 2005

PRESS RELEASE:

PHOTO CREDIT: Katrina Equine Disaster Relief Volunteers at work. PHOTO BY: Courtesy of AAEP.

EQUUS Foundation Supports Katrina Equine Disaster Relief with $5,000 Grant

WESTPORT, CT - September 22, 2005- The Board of Directors of The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., approved an emergency allocation of $5,000 to support the Katrina Equine Disaster Relief effort. The funds will be dispersed by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation (http://www.aaep.org/). The AAEP Foundation's mission is to improve the health and welfare of the horse through support of research, education, benevolence and the equine community.

Many organizations and individuals have joined together to support the effort. According to AAEP Foundation Advisory Committee Chairman Dr. Nathaniel White, the AAEP Foundation Equine Disaster Relief Fund was created to lend aid to horses affected by Hurricane Katrina.

The AAEP is in close contact with their member veterinarians, their Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Committee, as well as the local veterinary schools and AVMA Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams in Louisiana and Mississippi . Efforts by these individuals and groups have been focused on search and recovery, as well as housing, transporting, and feeding of horses and mules.

The AAEP funds have not been dispersed as of yet and they continue to receive donations daily. The AAEP was advised that an influx of supplies and financial donations have reached the areas affected by Katrina. Their contacts in the area advised them to wait until this influx has subsided and assess what the long-term needs will be.

Dr. White said, "We understand this terrible event won't be something that is resolved immediately, and we are committed to assisting with recovery but more importantly, assistance for the horse at the right time. Rest assured, dispersal of the AAEP Equine Disaster Relief funds will go to legitimate agencies and equine caretakers that are treating, housing, transporting, and feeding horses and mules affected by Hurricane Katrina."

The AAEP is one of the Katrina recovery supporters and relief resources recognized by The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) (http://www.usef.org/). USEF is playing a major role by setting up an emergency Hotline number in Mississippi (859) 225-2051. The LSU Vet School Hotline (225) 578-9501 has been handling equine-related emergencies in the Louisiana area. They also compiled a list of Shelter Facilities and Veterinary Services for Hurricane Katrina Equine Refugees on the USEF website and set up two equine supply depots to receive feed, hay, and supplies. Volunteers are shuttling these supplies to specific locations in Mississippi and Louisiana where needed.

"There are no proper words to describe the devastation to the Gulf Coast and its residents, said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS President. Our decision to support the equine relief effort in no way diminishes our compassion for the human victims of this tragedy. We hope everyone will continue supporting human relief organizations like the Red Cross and Salvation Army."

About The EQUUS Foundation, Inc.

The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., established in August 2002 as an all-federally tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, recently awarded over $150,000 to 19 charitable organizations that promote the positive use of the horse for the benefit of the general public and the equestrian sport as a whole.

The deadline for grant requests for 2006 is October 1, 2005 . Grant recipients are selected in the in the late fall of each year, with grants awarded in August.
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The 2005 Grant Recipients included:

ASPCA Equine Fund, New York City , NY : Rescue & care of Premarin Foals
Bridgeport Police Mounted Unit, Bridgeport , CT : Health & welfare of Bridgeport Police Mounted Unit horses.
City Slickers, Inc., Wolcott , CT : After school and summer programs for "at risk" youngsters in inner city & suburban Hartford .
Dressage4Kids, Inc., Bedford , NY : Scholarships to encourage children to become true horsemen with correct position, competitive skills, & knowledge of all aspects of riding & horse care.
Equestrian Aids Foundation, Flemington , NJ : Support for individuals in the equestrian community afflicted with HIV or AIDS.
Equine Orthopaedic Research Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: Improvement of the orthopaedic health of horses through investigation in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment & prevention of musculoskeletal disease.
Green Chimneys Children's Services & School, Brewster , NY : Treatment & schooling of emotionally troubled at risk youth in New York & Connecticut through its Therapeutic Riding Program and Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy Program.
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc., Old Lyme , CT : Therapeutic riding & related equine facilitated programs to individuals of all ages who face physical, behavioral & developmental challenges.
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, Inc. , Ashford , CT : A horseback riding program for children who have a life-threatening illness.
Horses in the Hood , Tarzana , CA :A five-day horse camp for at-risk children from Los Angeles ' Watts community
H.O.R.S.E of Connecticut, Inc., Washington , CT : Rescue & rehabilitation of abused horses.
Intercollegiate Equestrian Foundation, Inc., Fairfield , CT : Scholarships for students participating in collegiate equestrian activities & equine programs.
Living Bridges International, Inc., Glenyeare Equestrian Program, Lumberton , NJ : Building of confidence & self-esteem in children in New Jersey through the care & training of horses.
New Canaan Mounted Troop, Inc., New Canaan , CT : Scholarships for children in need in the surrounding communities to build leadership, management skills, responsibility, & to develop personal character through sound horsemanship.
Pegasus Therapeutic Riding, Inc., Stamford , CT : Therapeutic horseback riding for individuals of all ages with physical, mental & emotional disabilities in eight barns in Connecticut & New York .
R. W. Mutch Foundation, Inc., Saddle River , NJ & Wellington , FL: Scholarships to recipients who best reflect the personal qualities & horsemanship abilities of the late Ronnie Mutch.
United States Equestrian Federation Emerson Burr Horsemanship Awards Program, Lexington , KY : To promote & perpetuate good horsemanship in young equestrians.
United States Equestrian Team Foundation, Inc., Gladstone , NJ : Support for the competition, training, coaching, travel & educational needs of America 's elite & developing International High Performance horses & athletes.
We Will Ride Therapeutic Riding, Inc. , Cross River , NY : Therapeutic horseback riding & other equine-related activities in the Connecticut / New York area to people with disabilities.

For additional information on The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., visit the website, (http://www.equusfoundation.org/) or contact EQUUS at (203) 259-1550 or at equusfoundation@aol.com.

PHOTO CREDIT: Katrina Equine Disaster Relief Volunteers at work. PHOTO BY: Courtesy of AAEP.

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Article courtesy of EuroDressage.com & Mary Phelps, PhelpsPhoto.com, HorsesDaily.com, DressageDaily.com