A.J. Ruggles
DVM Cornell University, 1987
Internship and residency in large animal surgery at University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center 1987-1991
Lecturer in Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, 1991-92
Board Certified Large Animal Surgery, American College of Veterinary Surgeons, 1992
Associate Professor-Clinical Equine Orthopedic Surgery, The Ohio State University, 1992-99
Staff Surgeon and Partner, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital 1999 –to present
Co-Chair Principles and Advanced Courses on Equine Fracture Repair Columbus Ohio 1996 to present
Chair, AOVNA (AOVET North American Region) 2011 to present
Author or co-author of approximately 20 referred articles and 10 book chapters
G.S-S. Al, you have built a very respectable name and reputation for yourself. That cannot have occurred without considerable thought , effort and tuition along the way. What came first? A love for horses or a desire to become a veterinarian?
A.J.R....Actually they kind of evolved together I was interested in the medical field through my mother being an RN and very active in sports growing up. I became interested in horse as a teenager mostly through televised racing and going to a local Standardbred track (Roosevelt Raceway) and nearby Belmont Park. My friends and I spent a lot of time at Belmont and I eventually started working there and a hot walker, groom and eventually became a veterinary assistant. Along the way veterinary medicine sort of evolved for me. Horse racing allowed me to be vicariously involved in sports through the equine athlete.
G.S-S. Can you name an individual, or others, who had a marked effect in directing your career?
A.,J.R....You know you can only get somewhere with the help of others and I am no exception. I think back to the trainer at Belmont Dick DeStasio who gave me my first job. I learned a lot from him about horsemanship and dealing with people in the industry which has been invaluable. At New Bolton Center at the University of Pennsylvania, where I did my internship and residency Drs. Mike Ross and Dean Richardson were my chief mentors although I owe the entire staff a lot for putting up with me. I am very fortunate now to work with a great group of surgeons at our practice in Lexington. I think we all help each other out with new ideas, support and by providing an enriching place to work.
G.S-S. Most of your patients, I believe, are very valuable thoroughbreds (Full-Bloods). Many people would shy away from being responsible for the veterinary care of such valuable and wonderful animals. Can you please tell readers how that experience affects you and how you have found a way to cope with the responsibility? Is your word 'Law' as to whether an animal runs or not?
A.J.R.......I don’t know about law but I like to believe most of my clients respect my opinion or they wouldn’t being coming back to me. Our practice being in Lexington is predominately Thoroughbreds although I really do work with all breeds. This is especially true regarding major fracture repair which is not a uniquely Thoroughbred problem. I really don’t think I feel any special pressure based on the breed or value. I think surgeons put pressure on ourselves to perform well and that seems to be more than enough.
G.S-S. Have you been responsible for the introduction of a particular operative technique or system of which you are especially proud?
A.J.R. No, not really. I would like to think I have help promote internal fixation in horse through practice and have tried to influence the practice of equine orthopedic surgery by teaching in AO and developing new course material.
