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AAEP News November 2024 IX
Dr. Mindy Smith honored as AAEP Good Works recipient for August
The AAEP applauds Dr. Mindy Smith, the August honoree of the Good Works for Horses campaign, who has supersized her practice’s philan- thropic impact by enabling its
nonprofit clients to circumvent financial constraints and deploy expensive medical diagnostics and procedures at no cost.
Good Works for Horses, sponsored by AAEP Educational Partner Zoetis, honors AAEP-member practitioners whose volunteer efforts are having a positive impact on the equine community. Dr. Smith was among more than a dozen AAEP-member veterinarians nominated for the award in August by horse owners and equine organizations. Also recognized for their industry altruism were runners-up Dr. David Asmar, owner of Eagle Fern Equine Hospital in Estacada, Ore.; and Dr. Mike Tomlinson, owner of Tomlinson Equine in Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Dr. Smith owns Iron Horse Equine, a three-doctor predominantly ambulatory practice in Elizabeth, Colo. Among its clientele are three nonprofits—two equine rescues and a therapeutic riding center—for whom the practice traditionally discounted its services by 15–20%. Although helpful, Dr. Smith envisioned producing a much greater impact, which inspired creation of “Iron Unicorn Days” in 2022.
According to Dr. Smith, “We thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if instead of trickling in a little bit of help, what if we brought our whole team to the nonprofit and we do all the most expensive things we can in one day and we just donate it all?’”
Iron Unicorn Days are held once every six months on a rotating basis among the practice’s nonprofit clients and in place of discounted services. On each occurrence, the practice donates between $15,000– $30,000 worth of work, which includes considerable diagnostic imaging, lameness, joint injections, dentistry, bloodwork and shockwave therapy.
The employment of diagnostic imaging modalities previously unat- tainable due to conservative budgets
Besides the value of its donated work, the practice forgoes a day’s worth of revenue by being closed; its techs and office staff still receive their standard wage. Despite the expense of Iron Unicorn Days, Dr. Smith indicated that twice a year is manageable and provides a great deal of spiritual fulfillment.
“It fills our cup,” she said. “This is a hard job, and we end up not being able to fix our patients as much as we’d like to every day. Being able to give back and help feeds our souls,
Dr. Mindy Smith
Dr. David Asmar
of most nonprofits have yielded answers to ongoing medical questions and provided treatment options and a path forward for these equine patients.
Among the beneficiaries of Iron Unicorn Days is Terolyn Horse Rescue in Elizabeth, Colo., whose owner, Teri Allen, nominated Dr. Smith for the award. “Dr. Smith and her team perform many of the tests and exams that are often out of reach for small rescues with limited budgets, in addition to providing much- needed routine medical care for the rescue horses,” she said “Dr. Smith sets the bar high for veterinary medicine with her desire to make a difference in the horse world and truly embodies a spirit of service to the horse.”
Dr. Mike Tomlinson
and it’s definitely worth the time and lost revenue donating it and just seeing how grateful the nonprofits are for the help. It’s really, really satisfying.”
From June through August, the AAEP’s Good Works for Horses campaign spotlighted AAEP- member practitioners whose volunteer efforts are improving the health and welfare of horses. Each monthly winner remains eligible to win the contest’s grand prize, which will be announced Dec. 8 at the AAEP’s 70th Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla.
The AAEP thanks Zoetis for its sponsorship of the 2024 Good Works for Horses campaign.
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