61.0°,
A Few Clouds Horse surgeon to be honored in Rockville Centre
Last month, Patricia Hogan, VMD, was named the winner of the first-ever New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association’s EquiStar Award for her dedication and exceptional work on behalf of New York’s retired racehorses. According to the NYTHA, the EquiStar award recognizes, “an individual or organization that, through compassion, hard work and generosity, enriches the New York Thoroughbred industry.”
Hogan will be honored with the award in a ceremony at the annual NYTHA PAC Golf Tournament at Rockville Links in Rockville Centre on Tuesday, Oct. 11.
“We are very pleased to honor Patty with the first EquiStar Award,” said NYTHA President Rick Violette Jr. “There are so many members of the Thoroughbred community who give back with both hands, but NYTHA and New York’s horsemen and women owe her and people like her a debt of gratitude. We created this award so that we could, in some small measure, show our appreciation,” he said.
Working with some of the best racehorses in the world, Hogan operates out of her boutique veterinary practice in Cream Ridge, NJ. About 90 percent of her patients are racehorses and are seen for orthopedic or breathing and upper airway issues.
As a service, she also operates on retired racehorses so they can have a chance at a second career. As part of their Take the Lead program — which facilitates the rehabilitation and placement of retired racehorses — NYTHA acknowledges that Hogan’s “expert care ensures that the horses will have every chance at healthy and productive lives after their racing careers are over.”
“Not only is she one of the top equine surgeons in the world, but she gives back to the industry like no other,” said NYTHA’s Aftercare Committee Chairman Rick Schosberg. “She does it all out of the goodness of her heart, to assure these horses are at their very best for their new endeavors. She is a true angel for the industry,” he continued.
“I was very surprised, very honored and humbled by it,” said Hogan of the EquiStar award. “I have so much respect for the New York Horsemen and to be recognized by that group of people means the world to me,” she continued.
On an average day, Hogan will examine about 20 horses and perform surgery on up to six. “It’s nice to do things your own way,” said Hogan of her boutique practice, where she sees just enough patients to maintain the personal, hands-on care they need.
Hogan grew up in the suburbs of New Jersey as a self-described “horse-crazy kid.” At 10-years-old she began working with Standardbred horses at a harness track three miles from her house where she helped out for five years. Before opening Hogan Equine, she earned her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1992, interned at the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Kentucky, and completed a 3-year surgical residency at Texas A&M University.
