Fred B. McCashin, owner of the Carolina Equine Clinic on Youngs Road in Southern Pines, recently attended the American Association of Equine Practitioners' 55th Annual Convention, the world's premier continuing education meeting for equine veterinarians.

The convention, held in Las Vegas from Dec. 5-9, offered veterinarians the latest advances in equine health care. Scientific sessions covering topics ranging from critical care to lameness were attended by an international gathering of more than 2,500 veterinary professionals. Many of the sessions focused on providing new equine health care techniques that can be applied immediately to a veterinarian's daily practice.

The AAEP, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of horses. Currently, the AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its nearly 10,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.

Dr. McCashin has been a member since 1969 and has served on several committees and the Board of Directors.