Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center

04/04/2025

EMC foal care and mare watch volunteer Melody Meehan leads a fascinating double life! 🐎🐎🐎

Discover her journey as an EMC volunteer, part-time employee, and an adventurous full-time helicopter🚁 flight nurse! ❤️

Melody Meehan, one of more than 100 volunteers for this year's foaling season, sees parallels between her human health care job and veterinary volunteer work.

03/31/2025

🎉 Congratulations to Michelle Bates, winner of the EMC door prize - a certificate for treatment services at the EMC - which she won at the LCEA Equine Expo. on Wednesday, March 26! 🎉

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by to see us—we appreciate your support!

📸 Pictured from left to right: EMC Intern Dr. Alice Goff and equine track veterinary students Paul Rusak and Kendra Byrwa from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.

03/28/2025

This is a great opportunity to learn how to improve your horse pastures! 🐎🐎🐎

03/27/2025

How low can you go? 🏇

Certified farrier Luke Goodness of Goodness Farrier Associates hits the deck in the EMC farrier shop to get just the right angle for trimming mini ponies Muffin and Mac’s tiny toes! 🦄

03/26/2025

Calling all horse lovers! 🐴✨ Join us tonight at the Equine Expo!

Whether you own a horse or simply love being around these incredible animals, there’s something for everyone!

🐴 Be sure to visit the EMC stand and meet Dr. Emily Schaefer, Equine Emergency and Critical Care Specialist. Get your questions answered and learn about top-notch equine care from an expert!

03/21/2025

🐎 A Surprise Encounter on Virginia Derby Day! 🏇

Paul Rusak, an equine track veterinary student from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM), is currently completing a six-week clinical block at the Equine Medical Center (EMC). During a visit to Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent, Virginia, on Virginia Derby Day, he had an unexpected and exciting encounter!

While shadowing regulatory veterinarians in the paddock, Paul had the opportunity to meet Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin. The Governor took time to chat with racetrack staff and regulatory veterinarians and was particularly interested in Paul's path as an equine-focused veterinary student.

Governor Youngkin expressed his concern about the declining number of veterinary students pursuing careers in equine medicine and seemed genuinely pleased to meet a student dedicated to the field. After a brief discussion about Virginia’s equine industry and Paul’s hands-on experience at the EMC, the Governor wished him great success in his future career!

Paul described the experience in two words: “Absolutely awesome!” 👏🎉

03/20/2025

On March 19, the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) confirmed a case of salmonellosis in Carroll County, Maryland.

An 8-year-old gelding was initially evaluated for a fever on March 15 and was subsequently referred by the attending veterinarian to a hospital for treatment. The horse remains in isolation at the hospital and has since been diagnosed with putative intestinal hyperammonemia, secondary to a Salmonella infection. He remains hospitalized but is responding to medical management.

On March 18, the EDCC confirmed an Equine Herpesvirus-Respiratory (EHV-1) case in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

A 3-year-old Thoroughbred developed clinical signs on March 7, including fever and hind limb cellulitis. The horse is currently under quarantine at Laurel Park Racetrack.

03/15/2025

On March 13, the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) confirmed a case of strangles at a private facility in Fauquier County, Virginia.

The affected horse, a 23-year-old mare, developed clinical signs on March 10, including fever, nasal discharge, inappetence, and lethargy. She was unvaccinated but is reported to be recovering while under voluntary quarantine.

Additionally, on March 12, the EDCC confirmed an Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-4) case in Fauquier County, Virginia.

The affected horse, a 10-year-old gelding, began showing clinical signs on March 6, including a fever reaching 104.7°F. The horse is isolated in an equine hospital and tested positive for EHV-4. His vaccination status is unknown.

03/14/2025

🎉 BIG congratulations to Dr. Teresa Hopfgartner! 🎉

Our former EMC resident (center of the picture) has officially achieved Diplomate status with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons!
Join us in celebrating this amazing achievement! 🐎👏

🐎🐴

03/12/2025

Throughout the year, veterinary students from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine participate in three-week clinical rotations at the Equine Medical Center, gaining hands-on experience in equine care.🐎🐎

Meet Zach, a dedicated veterinary student on a mission! Click the link below to read his unique story. 👇

Zach Kirkpatrick will receive training after getting his DVM degree to become a commissioned officer in the Army Veterinary Corps.

03/10/2025

🎉👏 HUGE congratulations to Dr. Julia Borgens for passing her specialty board certification exam! 🏆🎓 She’s now one step closer to becoming board-certified in equine internal medicine! 🐴💙

Join us in celebrating this incredible achievement! 🎊🐎

03/10/2025

Farrier Travis Burns, a protégé of Paul Goodness, was recently inducted into the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame and is transitioning into an administrative role at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.

To read the full story, click on the link below 👇

Burns, an influential figure in the horseshoeing industry, will turn most of his work time toward helping run the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

03/07/2025

📢Don't miss the last installment of our Tuesday Talks series, focusing on equine sports medicine, on Tuesday, March 11, at 7 p.m. (Online Only). 🐎🐎

🔹 Speaker: Gustavo Zanotto, MV, M.Sc., Ph.D., DACVSMR
🔹 Topic: Intra-articular Joint Therapies
🔹 Duration: Approximately one hour, followed by a live Q&A session

If you haven't registered for the program, no problem! Sign up here: https://aimsbbis.vt.edu/tuesdaytalks
This is an online-only event—join us from anywhere!

03/03/2025

Did you know that Virginia Tech has an equitation barn at the main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia?

Every morning at Virginia Tech's Equitation Barn, students from all majors, along with staff and volunteers, come together to feed horses and clean stalls—365 days a year. Students gain hands-on experience in breeding and foaling, ground training, marketing, nutrition, exercise physiology, and stable management fundamentals.

The morning routine at Virginia Tech's Equitation Barn involves students from all majors, staff, and volunteers who feed horses and clean stalls 365 days of the year. Students gain experience in breeding and foaling, ground work training, marketing, nutrition, exercise physiology, as well as stable....

02/26/2025

Covered in mud from head to toe, it was obvious that Cooley had been struggling to stand for some time and that he was in a critical condition. With his field buddy standing by, and with the help of some barn friends, Cooley was encouraged to stand.

Click on the link below to read this heartwarming story about a cherished trail partner and beloved best friend!

Cooley, found unable to stand, was treated successfully at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg.

02/20/2025

Yeah!!!! Success! A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the EMC Compassionate Care Fund!

02/19/2025

🎉 is off to an amazing start at the EMC! 🎉

We kicked things off at noon with a faculty and staff pizza party 🍕, and let’s just say... Dr. Erskine got a taste of what’s to come! A sneak peek of him getting his just desserts—a well-loaded cream pie—was on full display! 😂

We’re closing in on 270 donations, with a goal of 400 to unlock the $8,500 matching gift for Compassionate Care! 💜 Every donation counts and just $5 can make a difference!

Once we hit our goal, Dr. Erskine’s full pie-in-the-face video will be released across our social channels! 🎥🎯

Donate now and be sure to select the EMC Compassionate Care Challenge! ➡️ https://givingday.vt.edu/amb/EMC-compassionate-care