The American Association of Equine Practitioner presented its 2023 Distinguished Life Member Award to Kenton Morgan, DVM, who earlier this year retired as managing veterinarian, equine technical services with Zoetis, for his legacy of volunteer leadership and assistance to the AAEP during his nearly 40 years of membership.  

The Distinguished Life Member Award honors an AAEP member who has made outstanding contributions to the association throughout their career. Dr. Morgan, of Faucett, Mo., received his award Dec. 2 during the President’s Luncheon at the AAEP’s 69th Annual Convention in San Diego, Calif. 

Since joining the AAEP in 1984, Dr. Morgan has served on the board of directors from 2013–2015; chaired the Professional Conduct and Ethics Committee and the Biological and Therapeutic Agents Committee; and served on the Member Engagement, Nominating and Pediatrics committees. He currently serves on the Equine Disease Communication Center Advisory Committee. 

Additionally, Dr. Morgan has provided leadership and expertise as a member of the External Parasite and Vector Control Guidelines Task Force; Stem Cell Task Force; and as a presenter at the AAEP Annual Convention on the topics of practice management, drug compounding and prudent use of medication.  

In 2015, Dr. Morgan received the AAEP President’s Award for his relentless support of the association and his fellow practitioners through his many volunteer hours on behalf of the AAEP without any expectation of reward or personal benefit. 

“When Kenton has been called, he shows up—frequently as the chair,” said nominator Dr. Jim Morehead. “Much of his time on committees and task forces has been dealing with contentious issues. He can gather the troops around an issue and get a consensus before most can organize a meeting.” 

After receiving his veterinary degree in 1983 from the University of Missouri, Dr. Morgan practiced as a private ambulatory veterinarian in Missouri and Kansas for 11 years. Before transitioning to the pharmaceutical industry with Bayer Animal Health, he served as a resident veterinarian in Idaho. Dr. Morgan retired in 2023 after 17 years with Zoetis.  

About AAEP 

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.