Ocala, FL (June 22, 2011) – The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center, located in the heart of Ocala, Florida, is not only dedicated to the healing, conditioning and well being of all equine athletes, but they are also committed to keeping the equestrian community abreast of current issues. The Sanctuary recently hosted an informative presentation on EHV-1, which was well attended by the community, and on June 24th The Sanctuary will offer a Lameness and Laminitis Symposium in conjunction with the grand opening of their new state-of-the-art custom designed Lameness Evaluation Center.

“We had a packed house at our EHV-1 seminar, as obviously this is an important issue for horse owners and everyone wants to understand the latest information,” said Brenda McDuffee, General Manager of The Sanctuary in Ocala, adding that the Equine Herpes Virus, or EHV-1, is a highly infectious viral disease currently affecting Colorado and several other Western states. “The disease can cause respiratory disease, abortion in pregnant mares, and though it is rare, it can also cause neurological disease.”

Dr. Amanda House, DVM, of the University of Florida gave the EHV-1 presentation. “Dr. House is an assistant professor in the department of large animal clinical sciences at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She is a large animal medicine clinician in the equine hospital and coordinates equine continuing education and outreach programs at the College of Veterinary Medicine. Her professional interests include neonatology, infectious disease and preventative health care,” McDuffee said, adding that The Sanctuary wanted to thank Seminole Stores and Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health for sponsoring the event.

“Our next event for the community is on Friday, June 24th at 4 pm when we will host a Lameness and Laminitis Symposium featuring renowned speakers who will be discussing equine podiatry. Most horse owners face lameness issues with their horses at one point or another, so this is certainly something that will be of great interest to the community,” McDuffee said. “At the same time, we also want to invite everyone to the grand opening of our Lameness Evaluation Center. Join us for wine, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as we celebrate our new Lameness Evaluation Center.”

Dr. Vernon Dryden, CVM, CJF and Dr. Raul J. Bras, DVM, CJF will lead the Lameness and Laminitis Symposium. “Both of these veterinarians have incredible knowledge when it comes to lameness issues and everyone attending will be pleased at how much they learn,” McDuffee said. “The symposium is free and open to the public. Please call and RSVP at 1-352-369-4325.”

In addition to their world-class facility in Ocala, which features some of the most advanced conditioning and rehab equipment in the world, The Sanctuary recently opened a new facility in Wellington, Florida. The Sanctuary at PBIEC, built in conjunction with the Wellington Equestrian Partners, is a full horse therapy and conditioning center featuring above ground water treadmills, cold saltwater leg spa treatments, vibration plates with solarium, laser therapy, electromagnetic pulse therapy and a respiratory machine.

For more information about The Sanctuary in Ocala or Wellington, visit their website at www.sanctuaryequinerehab.com. To sign up for the lameness symposium call 352-369-4325 (HEAL).