Equine Program Volunteers (EPVs)

The D. E. King Equine Program Volunteers (EPVs) are a group of people from the community, as well as students, who volunteer their time and expertise to support the D.E. King Equine Program goals in two ways. Some help produce, manage and run the annual U. A. horse events. Others guest lecture or volunteer their professional skills.

Currently we have lawyers, veterinarians, store clerks, accountants, bookkeepers, emergency medical technicians, nurses, librarians, artists, photographers, physical therapists, physicians, an apprentice architect, secretaries, horse trainers, carpenters, horse farm managers, and many other professionals. All sacrifice their free time, or in some truly devoted instances use their vacation time, to support this program and its goals.

The EPV’s were first established in the Spring of 2000. Tamara Denard, now Hazlett, was the first EPV. She served as Event Coordinator spending untold hours lining up demonstrations and help for the 1st U. A. Horse Festival. Currently there are 81 people on the EPV email list. Directly involving our students with professionals of a diverse background and expertise is absolutely invaluable to their education. Let me repeat that ABSOLUTELY INVALUABLE TO THEIR EDUCATION! In 2004 EPV’s donated almost 2918 hours. From a monetary point of view, at minimum wage ($5.15) an hour, that’s $15,032! Be assured, all of our EPV’s are worth much more than minimum wage.

Without the support and input from the EPV’s the D. E. King Equine Program simply could not be run at the level of excellence that it currently maintains.

Each year an appreciation picnic is hosted for our EPVs. The photo above was taken in the fall of 2005 at Agri-Park. Approximately 40 guests enjoyed a nice meal of brisket and pot-luck side dishes. Also at the picnic orders were taken for EVP jerseys to be given to those EPVs who have volunteered at 3 events.

The students, staff, and members of the Animal Science Department would like to say “thank you” to our EPV’s. If you would like to like to learn more about our program please contact Dr. Jack at njack@uark.edu or call 479-575-4380.

Our Gold Sponsors support excellence
in Equine Education.  Please visit their sites.