Flight nurse volunteers to aid sick foals at Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center
The Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center Foal Care and Mare Watch Volunteer Program provides an opportunity for individuals to play a vital role in caring for sick and at-risk foals as well as their dams.
Running annually from February to June, the program gives volunteers comprehensive training before they select their preferred four-hour shifts and settle into their supportive role.
Melody Meehan, an Inova helicopter flight nurse more accustomed to human health care in hospital emergency rooms than horse stalls, has been volunteering at the Equine Medical Center (EMC) for several years.
“I get so excited when there are foals at the EMC and I have the opportunity to spend time with them. It’s my favorite time of the year. I love the babies,” Meehan said.
Last year, the center treated 119 foals, and this year, it is on track to meet or exceed that number. For the 2025 foaling season, more than 100 volunteers signed up for the behind-the-scenes experience.
Located in Leesburg, the center is one of three animal health care facilities and teaching hospitals of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, based at Virginia Tech's campus in Blacksburg.
Meehan’s journey with the volunteer program began when she accompanied a friend to a veterinary appointment. Curious about volunteer opportunities, she explored the center's website and quickly realized it was the perfect way to reconnect with her love for horses.
A lifelong equestrian, Meehan now leases an American quarter horse-Arabian cross and enjoys trail riding.
“I’ve learned so much about horsemanship here. Everyone at EMC is fantastic and I get to ask so many questions,” Meehan said. “A lot of the clinical work translates from my experience as an emergency and critical care nurse. I’ve learned how to handle sick foals, and I love it — it’s amazing.”
Volunteers are on hand throughout the day and night to help the Equine Medical Center's faculty and staff provide critical care to the hospital’s smallest and most vulnerable patients. They focus on monitoring high-risk mares prior to foaling and support the care of recumbent foals. A mare is considered high-risk if she has experienced foaling complications, has underlying reproductive health issues, or is either an older or a young maiden mare.
“Volunteers significantly impact the workload and morale of our team,” said Laura Dawson, hospital manager. “Volunteers are an irreplaceable part of the foaling season workforce, and we are deeply grateful for their contributions.”
Many families volunteer together — often mother-daughter or father-daughter pairs — enjoying quality time while nurturing a shared passion for horses. For some, the program also serves as valuable experience before applying to veterinary school.
Volunteers help care for recumbent foals by ensuring they remain in a sternal position and lifting them every few hours to encourage circulation and normal bodily functions. These foals are often weak, unable to stand on their own and may struggle with nursing or bonding.
“EMC volunteers come from diverse backgrounds but share a common desire to give back to the community and a deep love for horses,” said Dawson. “Most have some horse experience, but it’s not required. We provide all the training needed.”
In addition to assisting with foal care, volunteers’ clean stalls, monitor high-risk mares via stall-side cameras, and may even milk mares if needed.
Foaling season is the busiest time of year at the Equine Medical Center, and with some foals weighing up to 150 pounds, lifting and positioning them correctly requires teamwork. Volunteers play a crucial role in keeping the foals in a sternal position to ensure proper lung expansion and reduce the risk of life-threatening complications like pneumonia.
As a helicopter flight nurse, Meehan sees parallels between human and equine medicine, from medication protocols to the importance of warmth and constant monitoring of vital signs. Her flight nurse role takes her to emergencies across Loudoun County, including vehicle crashes, farm accidents, and on occasion horse-riding incidents.
Inspired by her experiences at the center, Meehan even applied for a part-time role at the center, joking that she would work without pay. "I love being at EMC that much,” she said.
Though equine care presents its own emotional challenges, Meehan finds it less stressful than her primary role as a flight nurse.
“Horses can’t tell you what’s wrong, which makes treating them challenging, but I shower each foal with all the love, care, and attention I can during my volunteer hours,” she said.
Meehan isn’t the only one in her family with a passion for horses. Her daughter, Hannah, has dreamed of a veterinary career since childhood. She now works part-time at the center, gaining hands-on experience before applying to veterinary school.