Dear FAEP Members, As we move further into 2026, the FAEP remains focused on delivering meaningful benefits that support your professional growth, strengthen connections within the industry, and serve the practical needs of equine practices.
Membership provides access to valuable educational discounts on high-quality continuing education, both in person and online, helping practitioners stay current on advances in equine medicine while upholding the standards of care our profession is known for. Members also have access to legal consultation services offering guidance on regulatory and practice-related matters. The FAEP continually works to expand these offerings, so we encourage you to check in regularly as new resources and opportunities are added throughout the year.
Advocacy remains central to our work on behalf of Florida’s equine practitioners, and this legislative session delivered meaningful results. A key achievement was the passage of SB 432 and HB 309, which designated xylazine as a Schedule I controlled substance in Florida while securing a clear exemption for its use in veterinary medicine when medically appropriate. This outcome preserves access to a critical tool for sedation and pain management in equine patients and reflects the strength of a united veterinary voice in the legislative process.
Another significant legislative win is the Florida Food Animal and Equine Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program. Recognizing the urgent need to support workforce development in large-animal medicine, the FVMA and the FAEP worked closely with lawmakers to expand the original proposal to include equine veterinarians. Officially signed into law on March 23, 2026, this program is designed to encourage qualified veterinary professionals to practice in Florida and to strengthen access to care for both food animal and equine species.
This is a landmark step forward for the profession, and we are proud of the collaborative effort that made it possible.
Looking ahead, we are excited to gather once again for the Promoting Excellence Symposium, taking place October 15–18, 2026, at the Hilton West Palm Beach. This event serves as the flagship veterinary medical conference of the Florida Association of Equine Practitioners. The symposium delivers RACE-approved continuing education to a distinguished international audience of veterinary professionals dedicated to advancing the care of equine athletes.
We hope you will make plans now to join colleagues from across the profession for an engaging program focused on clinical excellence, innovation, and collaboration. Thank you for your continued commitment to the FAEP and to the equine patients and communities we serve.
We look forward to seeing you in West Palm Beach.
Warm regards,
Gerardo Diaz, DVM