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It’s been 30 years since the American Quarter Horse Foundation awarded its first scholarships, and with the help of generous members, great advancements have been made. Through increasing the number of recipients and boosting the amount of scholarship assistance awarded, the success stories are numerous.
Amy Hurd, from Almond, New York, was one of the first scholarship recipients whose life was impacted by the Foundation’s support. In 1978, Hurd received a scholarship through the American Quarter Horse Foundation.
“I was very appreciative of the money to help pursue my dream,” Hurd said.
After receiving her degree in animal science from Cornell University in 1982, she continued her studies at Cornell and received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1985 from The New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell. As a veterinary student, Hurd was the recipient of several academic awards including the Colonel Floyd C. Sager Equine Obstetrics and Pediatrics Award and the New York State Veterinary Medical Society Award for Best Senior Seminar.
Committed to providing the highest quality veterinary care, Dr. Hurd established the Bristol County Veterinary Hospital in 1988. Located in Seekonk, Massachusetts, the hospital offers various equine services including preventive and primary health care as well as reproduction. BCVH maintains the highest possible standards of medical and surgical expertise and makes every effort to bring horses the latest and greatest developments in veterinary medicine.
“There is a lack of large animal veterinarians, and I have to wonder if it isn’t affected by the high cost of education,” Hurd said. “Thirty years ago, AQHA helped me with my education, and whatever support they can provide is good to help young people in the same situation.”
Dr. Hurd is an AQHA life member and a past president of the New England Veterinary Medical Association. In addition, she serves on the board of directors of the NEVMA and Greenlock Therapeutic Riding Center.
Dr. Hurd was one of the first of more than 900 Foundation scholarship recipients. These bright and deserving individuals rely on contributions to the Foundation's scholarship fund. To find out more about becoming a donor, contact the Foundation’s scholarship office at (806) 378-5034 or lowens@aqha.org.