CE and AAEP teamed up to present two 360-degree educational experiences

The Continuing Education (CE) office at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Science (CVM) and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) joined efforts on Tuesday, August 10 through Friday, August 13 to present two 360-degree continuing education experiences that featured the topic choice of stallion reproduction or equine dentistry. The 360-degree experience is a full-circle approach to examine veterinary topics in every angle.

The AAEP was interested in having the continuing education efforts at the CVM because of the state of the art facilities and world renowned faculty available. Also, Dr. Eleanor Green, Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine, was the 2008 AAEP president. Dr. William Moyer, professor and department head of the Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, will become the next AAEP president in December 2010.

The AAEP educational programs committee selected the content for this conference. Dentistry is a very hot topic in equine practice, and it provides the opportunity to expand one's own practice.  Updated technology and knowledge in stallion reproduction has changed the face of the breeding industry due to the artificial insemination programs and the new reproductive techniques.

Attendees were provided with an in-depth educational experience emphasizing one-on-one instruction with the opportunity for a "hands on" experience. Each topic was limited to a small group of attendees so that every attendee could get the maximum benefit from the programs. The equine dentistry section was limited to 24 participants. The stallion reproduction was limited to 20 participants. Both sections sold out. Participants came from all over the country and Canada.

"This was not a small undertaking, however it became apparent during the whole process that the staff from AAEP and our staff from the Office of Continuing Education are real professionals as they have been up to the task to partner on the meeting," explains Dr. Cleet Griffin, chairperson for the equine dentistry section of the conference and clinical assistant professor at the CVM. "I think many of the techniques and principals stressed during the meeting can be incorporated into the attendees' own clinical practices starting the day they return to the office. It is critical for our profession to provide opportunities like this for veterinarians to obtain high quality education in these specific areas."

The CE office will continue to have conferences throughout the year including the "Fall 2010: Home Game Continuing Education Series." For more information on conferences please contact the CE office at 979-845-9102 or refer to their website at www.vetmed.tamu.edu/ce.

Contact Information:
Angela G. Clendenin
Director, Communications & Public Relations
Ofc - (979) 862-2675
Cell - (979) 739-5718