The Program
Auburn University’s Veterinary Sports Medicine Program (VSMP) was established in 1991, with faculty from AU's College of Veterinary Medicine. The faculty studied injuries, diseases, nutritional factors, and physiologic functions of dogs and horses involved in field sports and working endeavors. It is currently the only active program with a full-time director devoted to equine and canine athletic and working animals.
Veterinarians and scientists in Auburn’s SMP have a team established that addresses health and performance questions of canine and equine athletes. Their work addresses conditions affecting a variety of sporting animals. The overall goals of the program relate to optimizing performance, minimizing the risk of injury or metabolic damage, and defining the best treatment and therapy protocols as they correlate to the special needs of performance animals.
The VSMP provides cutting edge physical conditioning, nutritional program design, veterinary care, canine performance research, and support to prepare dogs for all terrains and climates. Dr. Gillette states, “We strive to improve the health, well-being, and functional longevity of athletic and working animals and disseminate information on clinical and research findings to those involved with dogs and horses.”
