Five veterinary students committed to careers in equine medicine were the recipients of $5,000 scholarships through the Merck Animal Health/American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation scholarship program. The scholarships were awarded on Nov. 19 during the AAEP’s 63^rd Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

Congratulations to the following recipients:

• Brittany Bazeley, University of California, Davis
• Travis Miller, Tuskegee University
• Rachel Pfeifle, Auburn University
• Alexandra Scharf, University of Georgia
• Kelsey Stoner, Washington State University

The Merck Animal Health/AAEP Foundation scholarship program rewards second- and third-year veterinary students dedicated to equine medicine for their academic excellence, leadership in their school and AAEP student chapter, and their long-term goals. This scholarship program is open to AAEP student members who are active within any of the AAEP’s 39 student chapters at colleges of veterinary medicine in the U.S., Canada, Europe and the Caribbean.

“Merck Animal Health is proud to maintain our partnership with the AAEP, as we strongly support the association’s ongoing endeavors with young people,” said Craig Barnett, D.V.M., Merck Animal Health Director of Equine Technical Services. “Through these scholarships, we hope to reinforce the association’s efforts and help lay a solid educational foundation for these students to excel in their future careers.”

“As an Educational Partner of the AAEP, Merck Animal Health has provided longstanding support towards the education of veterinarians and veterinary students for which we are very appreciative,” said Rick Mitchell, DVM, chairman of the AAEP Foundation Advisory Council.  “These scholarships underscore the company’s leadership and commitment to the equine industry, the veterinary profession and students, especially at a time when student debt load is at an all-time high.”

For more information about AAEP Foundation scholarship programs, please visit www.aaepfoundation.org.

About Merck Animal Health:

For more than a century, Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals™, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter at @MerckAH.

About AAEP Foundation:

The AAEP Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization created in 1994, serves as the charitable arm of the American Association of Equine Practitioners to improve the welfare of the horse. Since its inception, the Foundation has disbursed more than $4 million to support its mission. For more information, visit www.aaepfoundation.org.

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