Just 2 months into 2025 and Travis Burns is enjoying a memorable year.

It began in late January when he was inducted into the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame during the International Hoof-Care Summit in Kansas City, Mo. It continues this week with the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Va., announcing a promotion for Burns. The college’s farrier will also be the administrator of the college’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, writes Kevin Myatt of Virginia Tech.

“Travis Burns’ reputation for excellence precedes him, both as a farrier and as a leader,” says Tanya LeRoith, director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. “We are delighted to welcome him into this new dual role, where his vision, skill, and commitment to both education and equine care will help drive the Veterinary Teaching Hospital toward an exciting future.”

While Burns will spend 80% of his duties as administrator — including organizing plans for a proposed expansion and renovation of the teaching hospital — he continues hoof-care duties and mentoring staff farriers.

“I've had the opportunity to serve in some leadership capacities within the college, as president of the Faculty Association, serving on the executive committee, and it really opened my eyes that there’s a lot more than my little farrier shop,” says the American Farrier’s Association past president. “There’s a lot more going on here and a lot of things happening, and I really think I can help and participate. It’s another way that I can give back to the to the college.”

Burns became the chief of farrier services at Virginia Tech in 2010, earning promotions to assistant professor of practice in 2017 and associate professor of practice in 2018.