The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)presentedits inaugural Margaret Phyllis Lose Solo Practitioner AwardtoAmanda McCleery, DVM,apredominantly equineambulatory practitionerin Floridawhose adoption andsubsequentadvocacyoftheemergency cooperativecoverage modelhas improved sustainabilityand life balancefor herself and countless otherequine veterinarians.The Margaret Phyllis Lose Solo Practitioner Award honors an AAEP member in solo practice whodemonstratescommitment to the advancement of the equine veterinary profession while also striving for work-life harmony, thereby serving as an exemplary role model for others in the association, particularly those in private practice. McCleery accepted her award Dec. 9 during the Presidents Luncheon at the AAEPs 71stAnnual Convention in Denver, Colorado.A 2009 veterinary graduate of Texas A&M University, in College Station, McCleery established McCleery Equine Veterinary Servicenear Gainesville, Florida,in October 2014.Sheinitiatedthe2017formation of theNorth Florida Large Animal Emergency Cooperative,comprisedof four solo ambulatory practitionerswho share emergency coverage responsibilities and meet monthlyforcase discussionand collegiality.The following year, she joined Decade One, a professional development and peer support program for early careerpractitioners, andshared with her Decade One groupthebeneficial impactofheremergencycooperative.Group membersbegan to explore andinitiatetheir own emergency cooperatives, andtheidea spreadtoother Decade One groupsacross the US.McCleery helped spearhead the 2020 AAEP Emergency Coverage Survey, the results of which she presented at the 2021 AAEP Annual Conventionhighlighting how perceived challenges and concernswith emergency cooperativescan be addressed or mitigated.When her Fulbright Scholar husbandreceived the opportunity to spend aresearchyear in South Africain 2023, McCleery added an associate veterinarian to care for her clientsduringher absencewith periodic returns to tend to the practice.When the associate left after four months, McCleerymet clients needsthroughsupport from her emergency cooperative,more cross-Atlantic travel,andinclusive and transparent communicationwith her clients on Facebook.Dr. McCleery has had a distinct impact on her peers and on the veterinary profession through her demonstration of living a full life that blends a priority on family, unique experiences, professional dedication and success, and cooperative collaboration with colleagues,said her nominator Amy Grice.Award namesake Dr. Margaret Phyllis Lose was a racetrack practitioner whoestablishedthe first equine-only practice owned by a woman.