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Emergency and Disaster PreparednessWhen an emergency or natural disaster occurs, it is always in the best interest of the horses for both the equine practitioner and the horse owner to be prepared. Foreign animal disease outbreaks or other catastrophic events can adversely affect the health and well-being of horses. The preparation must be as thorough as possible knowing that circumstances will highlight the weaknesses rather than the strengths of those involved. The AAEP has a committee dedicated to overseeing the ongoing development and implementation of a nationwide emergency management communication system for equine practitioners, and to solicit and develop ongoing educational resources for the equine practitioner throughout the year and at the AAEP annual convention. Members of the AAEP Emergency and Disaster Preparedness committee collaborated to develop the following resources and programs: Resources for Equine Practitioners In today's world, the equine practitioner must prepare him or herself, family, the practice, and the clients for what to do in a disaster situation. The equine practitioner is uniquely qualified to understand and treat the injuries and stresses of horses in a disaster as well as understand the logistical factors associated with a rapid or planned evacuation of horses. Once the catastrophe strikes, the veterinarian will be seen as an important professional resource. Important steps to consider in establishing a disaster and emergency response plan include:
AAEP State Equine Emergency Network (SEEN) In order to provide support for AAEP members who have been impacted by a disaster, the AAEP Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Committee is developing a nationwide communication network. The committee is looking for AAEP members in every state to serve as liaisons in gathering vital information about the impact of a disaster on other members and horse owners in order to effectively assist them in getting back to work. With this network and its information-gathering ability in place, the AAEP can become a national resource for equine-related data in a post-disaster period. When government officials or the media want timely information about a disaster’s impact on the domestic animal population, the communication conduit will be critical. Through this effort, the AAEP will gain credibility on both state and national levels, but, most importantly, the AAEP and its members will be able to help horses more effectively during times of disaster.
Click here to view the goals of the SEEN program and what your role as a liason would be.
Additional links for equine practitioners: National links VMAT teams page
Animal Disaster Relief through the AVMA Foundation USDA/APHIS Veterinary Services:
USDA Emergency Management Response System Bioterrorism:
Animal Rescue Plans: Education: FEMA Independent study Free courses available on "Animals in Disasters," "Live Stock in Disasters," and "Basic Incident Command" course are highly recommended. "The Role of the Veterinary Community in Disaster Preparedness and Response." (Proceedings, NCVC Annual Conference, Nov 2000) Additional Resources: Recommended Books:
AVMA Disaster Preparedness and Response Guide Animal Management in Disasters by Sebastian Heath Rescuing Rover: A First Aid and Disaster Guide for Dog Owners by Sebastian Heath Manual of Equine Emergencies by J.A. Orsini and T.J. Divers, Editors. 2nd ed. 2002, W.B. Saunders. Resources for Horse Owners Preparation is a key part of making sure your horses are safe and taken care of in a crisis situation. One must understand who the other resources are and what their plan is in order for a coordinated response to result. The AAEP has collected the following helpful links to make sure you, the horse owner, have vital information available to you before a disaster strikes. Disaster Planning:
National links:
Animal Rescue Plans:
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American Association of Equine Practitioners |
