Veterinarians Kevin Dunlavy, Alan Ruggles and Keith Latson will assist NBC Sports with horse-health information during live racing telecasts May 2 – 4 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The three media-trained spokesdoctors represent the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ On Call program.

Dr. Dunlavy will assist with Thurby coverage on May 2; Dr. Ruggles will be on site for the Kentucky Oaks May 3; and Dr. Latson will return to cover his fifth consecutive Kentucky Derby telecast.

The On Call program serves all nationally televised equestrian events.  Nearly 15 AAEP-member veterinarians share their veterinary expertise as On Call spokespersons. The program received the 2008 Special Eclipse Award for its contributions to Thoroughbred racing.

To request horse-health information from Drs. Dunlavy, Ruggles or Latson, please contact Sally Baker, AAEP director of marketing and public relations, at sbaker@aaep.org or (859) 552-5615.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse.  Currently, the AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its over 9,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.

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Dr. Kevin Dunlavy is managing partner of Kentucky Equine Medical Associates, PLLC, a multi-doctor veterinary practice which provides services at racetracks in Kentucky, Louisiana, Indiana and Arkansas. In addition to his service as an AAEP On Call spokesperson, he is a member of the AAEP’s Racing and Professional Conduct and Ethics committees.

Dr. Alan Ruggles is a veterinary surgeon and partner at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky.  Specializing in orthopedic surgery and lameness, he is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and has authored over 20 peer-reviewed papers and eight book chapters about equine orthopedic problems.

Dr. Keith Latson is a private surgical and performance equine consultant, focusing on yearling to racing-age Thoroughbreds. He received his board certification in surgery from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2006 and has been practicing equine medicine and surgery for more than 15 years.