The American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation recently announced the creation of an equine research endowment “to help fill the growing need for better understanding of and solutions to diseases and maladies that affect horses of all breeds.”

The endowment was instituted with $150,000, more than half of which was committed by the late Dr. Michelle LeBlanc. A renowned theriogenology educator, researcher and practitioner, LeBlanc pledged a portion of her estate to the foundation in 2012 as a member of its Legacy Society with the intent to fund future equine research.

“The foundation is embarking on a journey of great potential,” says Dr. Richard Mitchell, chairman of the AAEP Foundation Advisory Council. “From this modest start, there is no limit to how far this initiative can go — no limit to the kinds of important research we can someday invest in.”