The faculty, staff and students of the Equine Health Studies Program (EHSP) of the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine (LSU-SVM) were recently nationally recognized for their efforts in assisting horses and horse owners during hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) awarded the inaugural Heroes for Horses Award to both the EHSP of LSU-SVM and the Blue Devils Horse Platoon for their volunteer efforts in the rescue and care of horses affected by these two powerful hurricanes in Louisiana and Mississippi, respectively.

Rustin Moore, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, director of the EHSP, represented LSU at the annual meeting of the USEF in Cincinnati, Ohio. “It is an incredible honor to receive this award on behalf of our team at LSU,” said Moore. “Our efforts during this unprecedented season of hurricanes was basically an extension of what we strive to do everyday,” Moore continued. “We simply work to provide the most complete care possible for the equine population and public service to horse owners, breeders, trainers, caretakers, and others involved in the equine industry in Louisiana and the surrounding region. It was our absolute privilege to serve in this role