The American Association of Equine Practitioners presented Benjamin Franklin Jr., DVM, with the Distinguished Life Member Award for his leadership and extensive involvement within the association during his 45 years of membership.
The Distinguished Life Member Award honors an AAEP member who has made outstanding contributions to the association throughout their career. Franklin, a semi-retired racetrack practitioner who served as AAEP president in 2000, was honored Dec. 10 during the President’s Luncheon at the AAEP’s 59th Annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.
During his presidency, the AAEP tackled the issue of medication in racing by developing and approving “Policy on Therapeutic Medication in Race Horses,” which would extend to other disciplines. That year also saw the AAEP launch a horse owner website to engage owners with horse health issues.
Since joining the AAEP in 1969, Franklin has served two separate terms on the board of directors and has applied his experience and expertise as a member of numerous committees, including Racing, Ethics, Purchase Exam, Leadership Development, Nominating, Long-Range Education Planning, Finance and Abstracts Review. He also served as chair of the Racing Council and Committee as well as the Nominating Committee.
Currently, Franklin serves on the President’s Advisory Council and as the AAEP’s representative to both the American Veterinary Medical Association’s House of Delegates and House Advisory Committee.
Upon graduating with honors from Auburn University in 1967, Franklin began practicing in Florida in a racetrack practice with former AAEP President M.B. Teigland. He shared his expertise as an AAEP “On Call” veterinarian for televised races from Gulfstream Park and Hialeah. While currently retired from full-time practice, Franklin still maintains a close affiliation with his former practice group, Teigland, Franklin and Brokken DVM’s, P.A.
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. The AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its nearly 10,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.
