40 years and counting, thousands of horses, one mission – and every dollar matters
When Alfie, a yearling Belgian cross colt, arrived at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center (EMC) in respiratory distress, the hospital's isolation unit and advanced diagnostic capabilities saved his life.
"Thanks to the awesome care he got, he has made a miraculous recovery," says Alfie's owner, Alex Dukes of Lincoln, Virginia.
Stories like Alfie's have been made possible by generations of donors who recognized the importance of having an advanced specialty care equine hospital in Northern Virginia. For over 40 years, the EMC in Leesburg has provided both emergency and elective services to the equine community—a legacy of excellence that continues to evolve through philanthropic support.
Without philanthropic partners, the care of horses like Alfie would be difficult to manage. Alfie needed to be isolated due to the threat of him carrying infectious and contagious diseases. Diagnostic and laboratory testing facilitated successful treatment of his bacterial bronchopneumonia.
Dream became reality in 1984
After years of planning, the center became a reality in 1984 after Marion duPont Scott gave a cornerstone gift of $2 million and the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation donated 200 acres of land at Morven Park. This coupled with generous contributions from the private sector for equipment purchases set the ball in motion.
“Beyond patient care, philanthropy fuels the center’s mission to advance equine medicine through cutting-edge research, and the education of future equine veterinary specialists”, said Michael Erskine '84, DVM '88, Jean Ellen Shehan Professor and director.
As one of three animal healthcare facilities and teaching hospitals of Virginia Tech’s Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, the EMC in Leesburg offers advanced specialty care, 24-hour emergency treatment, and diagnostic services for horses of all ages and breeds.
Over the past four decades, the EMC has continued to evolve, driven by advancements in diagnostic techniques, treatment modalities, and strategic facility upgrades. However, maintaining and enhancing these capabilities has required significant financial investment. Philanthropy has played an indispensable role in ensuring that the hospital continues to provide cutting-edge care, state-of-the-art diagnostics, and world-class facilities for all its equine patients.
While the diverse expertise of the center’s board-certified specialists is unmatched, their ability to provide the best possible care is heavily dependent on resources — resources that often exceed traditional funding avenues.
Generous philanthropic support is critical to sustaining and expanding the center’s capabilities, ensuring that horses under care at the EMC receive the highest standard of treatment, for both emergency and elective procedures.
Meeting critical emergency needs
Equine emergencies can occur at any time, and a swift, effective response can mean the difference between life and death. However, maintaining 24-hour emergency services has become increasingly challenging as fewer veterinary students pursue careers in equine medicine.
In 2023, EMC introduced a dedicated emergency and critical care team, thanks to a donor who, having witnessed firsthand the challenges of equine veterinary medicine, was inspired to support an innovative emergency and critical care program.
This philanthropic vision ensures the center remains equipped with the latest medical advancements to manage emergency cases, treat communicable diseases, and provide surgical options for complex conditions—services that often exceed traditional funding avenues.
Advanced diagnostics, the foundation of effective treatment
Modern imaging modalities allow for accurate diagnosis which is the foundation of effective treatment. CT (Computed Tomography), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), nuclear scintigraphy, digital radiology, and ultrasound are indispensable diagnostic tools. These technologies allow for precise, non-invasive evaluations of musculoskeletal, neurological, and internal injury or disease.
However, acquiring sophisticated imaging equipment requires substantial investment, making philanthropic contributions crucial to keep in step with the most up to date diagnostic modalities.
A world-class equine hospital requires facilities designed for both patient safety and operational efficiency. Generous past donations have enabled critical upgrades such as the introduction of foal boxes in the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU). These specialized enclosures are designed to provide a safe and controlled environment for compromised foals undergoing intensive care.
At just 5 hours old, a foal named Token was treated for neonatal maladjustment syndrome (dummy foal syndrome), after an overdue and difficult birth. Safely housed in a foal box during treatment, EMC staff were able to keep him comfortable and safe during his treatment.
Building for the future
Generous donor support has enabled EMC to enhance its hospital infrastructure, expand clinical services, and create safe, effective evaluation and treatment areas.
In early 2024, the Jane and Stephen Hale Equine Performance Evaluation Center opened and has since become a game-changer for lameness, respiratory, and cardiac evaluations. This latest edition to the hospital’s sports medicine facilities is linked to the Youngkin Equine Soundness Clinic (in the Fout Barn), and the Goodness Farrier Shop by overhead covered walkways, providing comprehensive evaluation facilities for equine athletes, to ensure they are ready for competition or the trail.
An architectural feasibility study of the EMC hospital complex is planned in the coming months. The study will highlight areas that need to be repurposed or upgraded to improve workflow and efficiencies and will also identify areas for expansion that will enhance existing or support the addition of new clinical services.
The EMC has proven to be a beacon of excellence in equine healthcare. The center’s team of specialists in internal medicine, sports medicine, surgery, and emergency and critical care, is committed to delivering exceptional care while also advancing equine health through research and education.
However, sustaining this legacy requires a collective commitment from individuals who are passionate about equine welfare. By contributing to the center, donors directly impact the quality of care available to horses today and shape the future of veterinary medicine for generations to come.
“With additional funding, the center can improve surgical techniques, and enhance disease prevention strategies, while expanding research initiatives that contribute to new treatment methodologies, ultimately benefit the equine industry as a whole,” Erskine said.
The impact of your support
When you support the EMC, you directly enable:
Life-saving emergency interventions for horses like Alfie, when minutes make the difference between life and death
Groundbreaking research that transforms experimental treatments into standard care practices
Advanced training for the next generation of equine veterinary specialists
Cutting-edge equipment that allows for more precise diagnosis and treatment
Specialized facilities designed specifically for equine patients with unique needs
The EMC's renowned specialists in internal medicine, sports medicine, surgery, and emergency care can only provide world-class treatment when equipped with world-class resources. Your generosity bridges the gap between standard care and exceptional care.
Be part of a legacy of excellence and caring
Philanthropic support of the EMC is not just an investment in an institution, it is an investment in the health and wellbeing of all horses. Every contribution, no matter the size, strengthens the foundation upon which equine health advancements are built. Together, we can ensure that the highest standard of specialized equine veterinary care remains accessible to horses and the people that love and care for them.
As we celebrate 40 years of advancing equine medicine, we invite you to join the community of donors whose vision and generosity have saved countless equine lives. Whether you're a horse owner who has experienced the EMC's care firsthand or simply someone who recognizes the importance of these magnificent animals, your contribution will have tangible, lasting impact.
Make your mark on the next 40 years of equine medicine. Visit vetmed.vt.edu/emc/giving today to explore giving options that match your interests or contact our development office at (540) 231-0465 to discuss how your support can advance specific areas of equine healthcare.