DISASTER RELIEF
CRISIS RELIEF
EQUITARIAN PROJECT
In times of natural disaster, veterinarians are normally one of the first medical
personnel needed after human needs are managed. Animals can be victims of natural
disasters just like their human owners. We support our veterinarians in the care of
their communities as they rebuild after natural disasters. Since 2017, Texas Equine
Foundation has contributed over $360,000 in disaster relief. In 2024, we contributed
over 400 tons of hay and $15,000 in veterinary supplies to horse owners affected by
the Smokehouse Creek and associated fires in the Panhandle of Texas.
Most veterinarians are also small business owners. They can fall victim to a variety
of personal crises just like anyone else. We support our member veterinarians with
easily accessible grants in times of need. We believe that supporting each other
extends beyond the professional bounds of our careers. In 2024, we were able to
provide crisis grants to one veterinarian who was without electricity for over two
weeks rendering her unable to charge her ambulatory truck and provide care to
horses in her area as a result of a terrible derecho in the Houston area. We were also
able to provide a grant to a veterinarian who cared for several horses in a tornado
outbreak in North Texas, which resulted in personal losses.
We are a proud supporter of the Equine Disease Communication Center, which is
an online communication tool for notifying the equine industry of infectious diseases
regionally. They have filled a large need in our community by making it quick and
easy to communicate disease outbreaks in the equine community.
The Equitarian Project was started by one of the Texas Equine Veterinary Association
founders, Dr. Rob Franklin. Veterinarians, students and industry partners travel to
South America to serve communities whose main source of income depends on their
equine partners. Texas Equine Foundation provides funding for the group as a whole,
as well as giving scholarships to students who want to attend the trip.
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