Rob Franklin, DVM, DACVIM, a partner in Fredericksburg Equine Veterinary Services in Fredericksburg, Texas, and a strong advocate for equine-humanitarian efforts through his support of working equid welfare, has been appointed 2021 vice president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. He was installed on December 9 during the 2020 AAEP Virtual Convention & Trade Show and will assume the role of AAEP president in 2023.
Franklin received his veterinary degree in 1999 from Texas A&M University and became board certified in large animal internal medicine in 2003 while completing his residency at the University of Florida. He subsequently established and managed intensive care units at equine referral hospitals in Australia, Florida and Texas before opening a veterinary consulting and practice ownership firm in 2012 and starting his current practice in 2018.
A founding director of the Equitarian Initiative, Franklin has led more than 15 veterinary medical trips to Central America since 2012 to administer care to the region’s working equids and education to caretakers. He is also co-founder of animal nutritional supplement company Animal Stewards International, whose pay-it-forward model helps animals in need in underdeveloped countries.
“There is no greater good that we can do for one another than to support, encourage and praise those in our family, community and profession,” said Franklin. “The AAEP provides the platform for equine veterinarians to serve each other in this way. For the past two decades of my career, many things have changed, but the AAEP continues to stand as a pillar for all that is good in the horse, the profession and the horse industry. I’m honored beyond words to have the opportunity to serve as the leader of the association. Iron sharpens iron.”
An AAEP member since 1998, Franklin chairs the Wellness Committee and previously served on the board of directors from 2015-2017. In addition, he has volunteered as a member of the Educational Programs and Nominating committees. Franklin’s avid support of organized veterinary medicine extends beyond his AAEP service: He is co-founder and past president of the Texas Equine Veterinary Association, past president of the Marion (County, Florida) Veterinary Medical Association and a former director of the Florida Association of Equine Practitioners. In addition, Franklin has published numerous book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles, and he has presented at national and international veterinary conferences.
Franklin lives in Fredericksburg with his wife, Laurie, and their two daughters, ages 14 and 10.
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.
