Four future horse doctors in their fourth year of distinguished veterinary school performance are the 2025 recipients of $75,000 Coyote Rock Ranch Veterinary Scholarships supporting their career pursuits in equine medicine. These exemplary students were selected from 69 applicants. The Foundation for the Horse will present these awards on December 7, 2025, during the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) 71st Annual Convention in Denver, Colorado, to:
Amanda Bolinger- Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Francesca Buchalski- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Louise Caplan- University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Camille Stewart- Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Bolinger intends to become a surgeon in equine veterinary medicine and dedicate the first five years to internships and residency. She says this scholarship will help her prioritize programs that are aligned with her goals while she seeks busy caseloads for hands-on experience.
Buchalski plans to pursue a rotating internship at an equine hospital before practicing as an ambulatory equine veterinarian in New Jersey. Within her first five years of practice, she plans to complete Equine Rehabilitation Performance Medicine Certification and equine dentistry courses. Buchalski's primary interests are sports medicine, integrative medicine, and dentistry.
Caplan aspires to be board-certified in Equine Sports Medicine by 2026. She plans to pursue a one-year internship post-DVM and engage in research focusing on regenerative medicine and cardiac health in racehorses. Caplan also plans to earn certifications in equine chiropractic and acupuncture.
Stewart expects to one day own a practice. She plans to deliver comprehensive, accessible care focusing on disease prevention, emergencies, and client education, particularly supporting underserved communities. Stewart's first five years will include completing a rigorous internship for broad experience before joining an ambulatory equine practice near her family in Maryland.
Penelope Knight, the original owner and founder of Coyote Rock Ranch, created the Coyote Rock Ranch Veterinary Scholarship. Now, through collaboration and a shared passion for agriculture and philanthropy with ranch owners Sue and Eric Hagerty, this scholarship program continues. Since awarding the first scholarships in 2016, 36 AAEP student members from 17 schools have shared cumulative proceeds of $2,775,000.
"At Coyote Rock Ranch, quality equine veterinarian medicine lies at the heart of our program. In helping future veterinarians achieve success, we elevate the entire equine industry and ultimately the welfare of the horse," says Mrs. Knight. "With the overall aim of supporting education and advancements in care for the horse, we are pleased to offer these scholarship opportunities to the next generation of equine veterinarians."
View more information about this program and other scholarships offered through The Foundation for the Horse at foundationforthehorse.org/scholarships
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