The veterinary students in attendance at the Opportunities in Equine Practice Seminar (OEPS, Sept. 2-4) at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., wanted to help the relief efforts of their fellow vet students at Louisiana State and Mississippi State. In response to this desire, a box was set out for donations to go to animal rescue efforts in Missississippi and Louisiana with the promise from founding partner Bill Rood, DVM, that OEPS would match the dollar figure raised by the students.

With 474 students on hand, plus donations from equine veterinarians participating in OEPS, $3,500 was raised. As promised, OEPS will match that amount bringing the total contribution to $7,000.

The $7,000 will be divided between the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association and the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association to assist the rescue, treatment, and care of animals injured and displaced by Hurricane Katrina