Thomas R. Lenz, DVM, MS, DACT, semi-retired equine veterinarian of Louisburg, Kas., received the AAEP’s Sage Kester Beyond the Call Award for his unparalleled commitment to equine welfare and veterinary medicine. He was honored during the Dec. 4 President’s Luncheon at the AAEP’s 64th Annual Convention in San Francisco, Calif. 

The “Beyond the Call” Award is named in honor of its first recipient, the late Wayne O. “Sage” Kester, DVM, and recognizes a current or former AAEP member who has made significant and long-lasting contributions to equine veterinary medicine and the community. 

Dr. Lenz’s vast contribution to the AAEP includes service on 26 committees and task forces; sitting on the board of directors; serving as president; delivering the Keynote presentation at the 56th Annual Convention; and receiving both the Distinguished Service and Lifetime Member Awards. 

After receiving his veterinary degree from the University of Missouri in 1975, he spent 14 years in private practice in California and Missouri, farm practice in Texas and as adjunct professor of medicine and surgery at Texas A&M University and Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.   

He entered industry practice in 1989 as senior director of research and development for the animal health unit of Bayer Corporation. Following a return to private equine practice in 2003, he joined Fort Dodge Animal Health as vice president of professional services in 2006 and Zoetis in 2010. Dr. Lenz retired as senior director of equine veterinary services for Zoetis in 2017. 

In October 2018, Dr. Lenz was appointed to a three-year term on the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board. He also currently serves on the board of trustees and is the Welfare Committee chairman for the American Horse Council; is on the board of directors and was a founding chairman for the Unwanted Horse Coalition; and is actively involved in multiple professional associations. 

His dedication to the horse is evident in his immense service to multiple equine organizations. He has served on several committees and task forces within the American Quarter Horse Association, published an estimated 300 articles within the American Quarter Horse Association Journal and was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in March 2018. Dr. Lenz has also served on committees within the American Veterinary Medical Association and was a recipient of the group’s Animal Welfare Award. 

In addition to Dr. Lenz’s contributions to the equine community, he is a veteran of the United States Marine Corp. 

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, 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.