Photo Credit: Elma Garcia-Cannavino
Horse Farms Forever’s Behind the Gate event at the Chi University on April 2nd was a memorable and educational evening to showcase the world-renowned veterinary school.
Over 90 VIP members and community leaders joined us for an exclusive, invitation-only behind-the-scenes look at one of our Founder Members. This year, we were honored to showcase the incredible Chi University.
Chi University was founded in 1998 by Dr. Xie Huisheng, DVM, PhD, with a mission to educate and train veterinarians in acupuncture and integrative medicine. Dr. Xie is considered a “leading authority in animal acupuncture” and has authored more than 26 books. His textbooks are used for training around the world.
Our guests were captivated by the live demonstrations, on three different horses, of acupuncture and other integrative medicine techniques. The presentation by Dr. John Langlois, DVM and Assistant Professor at Chi University, was enlightening. He described the many ailments and conditions that acupuncture can treat in horses, ranging from reproductive issues to lameness, and from non-sweating to colic.
“It was an outstanding event and I was so inspired,” said Elma Garcia-Cannavino, Director and Founder Member of Horse Farms Forever. “I already use acupuncture on my horses, so it was really amazing to finally get to see the acupuncture and eastern medicine clinic right here in our back yard.”
Dr. Lisa Trevisanello, Provost of Chi University, and Dr. Terri Rosado, Assistant Professor at Chi University and the Medical Director of the Chi Animal Hospital, also spoke at the Behind the Gate event.
Over the past 27 years, the Chi University has trained over 11,000 veterinarians from 75 countries worldwide in acupuncture and integrative medicine. Chi University just recently opened a new Integrative Veterinary Hospital on the Chi University campus to provide both holistic and modern veterinary care tailored to meet the needs of both small animals and horses.
Horse Farms Forever would like to thank Dr. Xie Huisheng, DVM, PhD, and his wife Yanru Zhao, VP Finance at Chi University, for allowing Horse Farms Forever and our guests the incredible opportunity to go Behind the Gates at the Chi University.
Thank you also to the Duke Energy Foundation for their generous sponsorship of the Behind the Gate event at Chi University.
“I’m just so proud to support what Horse Farms Forever is doing,” said Mike Mangan, Account Executive, Duke Energy Corporation. “At the pace that we are growing, I’m afraid that without Horse Farms Forever, we would see negative impacts to our horse farm community that would be irreversible.”
Horse Farms Forever holds three events every year as part of our core mission of education, awareness, and idea exchange. The Behind the Gate event is meant to be a “behind the gate look” of one of our Founder Members to showcase their business or horse farm, as well as their contributions to the local community and equine industry. Last year, the Behind the Gate event was held at the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association’s office in Ocala.
Photo Credit: Sean M. Dowie Photography
Dr. John Langlois demonstrates acupuncture on a horse. From L to R: Carl Zalak, III, Marion County Commissioner; Bartow McDonald IV at SVN/McDonald & Company; Laura Drake McDonald; Nicole Hornblower, Owner of Little Creek Farm; Valerie Dailey, Owner and Broker, Showcase Properties; and Samantha Dailey, Broker Associate, Realtor, Showcase Properties.
Dr. Xie Huisheng, DVM, PhD, and Founder of the Chi University; and Tom James. Director of Executive Engagement, Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership (Ocala CEP)
Dr. Xie Huisheng, DVM, PhD, and Founder of the Chi University; Amy Mangan, Executive Director, AdventHealth Ocala Foundation; Mike Mangan, Account Executive, Duke Energy Corporation; Sophie Transou, Sales Assistant at Lugano Diamonds
Mike Mangan, Account Executive, Duke Energy Corporation; Mary Jane Hunt, Founder Member, Horse Farms Forever; Amy Mangan, Executive Director, AdventHealth Ocala Foundation
Craig Curry, Marion County Commissioner ; Sara Fennessy, Executive Director, Horse Farms Forever; Billye Mallory, Community Relations Manager at AdventHealth Ocala
Busy Shires, Director of Conservation, Horse Farms Forever; Charisse Rivers, CEO/Financial Planner, Zinnia Wealth Management and Chair, Ocala CEP Executive Committee; Sadie Cone-Fitzgerald, Owner, Sadie Fitz Events
Tasha Osbourne, Realtor, Golden Ocala Real Estate; Michael Osbourne, Area Sales Manager at ARK; Katherine Davies Miller, Executive Director of Advancement, University of Florida
Samantha Dailey, Broker Associate, Realtor, Showcase Properties; Bernie Little, President, Horse Farms Forever, Valerie Dailey, Owner and Broker, Showcase Properties
Angie Lewis, State Farm Insurance Agent and At Large Member, Ocala CEP Executive Committee; Craig Curry, Marion County Commissioner
As guests arrived, they were asked to choose a “Dragon Egg” based on the Five Elements. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Five Elements – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water – reflect personality traits, emotions, and health tendencies. For example, Wood is confident, adaptive, competitive, natural leader, can be impatient or frustrated. Photo Credit: Sean M. Dowie Photography
Dr. Lisa Trevisanello, Provost of Chi University; Jennifer Fryns, Vice President, Workforce Development and Innovation, College of Central Florida selected a “Fire Element” Dragon Egg. Photo Credit: Sean M. Dowie Photography
Lisa Varner, Sales Manager, North Central Florida Media; Jorge Garcia-Bengochea, Executive Director, Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses; Lisa selected a “Fire Element” Dragon Egg. Photo Credit: Sean M. Dowie Photography
Dr. Shu Dai, DVM and Assistant Professor, Chi University demonstrates acupuncture on a horse. L to R: Nancy DiMaggio, Volunteer, Horse Farms Forever; Busy Shires, Director of Conservation, Horse Farms Forever; Tasha Osbourne, Realtor, Golden Ocala Real Estate; Sophie Transou, Sales Assistant at Lugano Diamonds; Lisa Swayze Niemi; Charisse Rivers, CEO/Financial Planner, Zinnia Wealth Management and Chair, Ocala CEP Executive Committee; Bernie Little, President, Horse Farms Forever; Tracy Straub, Assistant County Administrator, Marion County
Dr. Kaley Seits demonstrates acupuncture on a horse.
Sarah Huber Myers, Co-Owner Pat Myers Electric; Sara Fennessy, Executive Director, Horse Farms Forever; Busy Shires, Director of Conservation, Horse Farms Forever; Jorge Garcia-Bengochea, Executive Director, Executive Director, Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses. Photo Credit: Sean M. Dowie Photography
Photo Credit: Sean M. Dowie Photography
