Jonesboro, Arkansas – Arkansas State University is preparing to dedicate a new equine teaching facility that will give veterinary students a place to gain practical experience working with horses.
The university’s College of Veterinary Medicine will hold a dedication ceremony for the Dash Goff Equine Center – Nodouble Barn at 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8.
The new center is located at 3615 Hereford Dr., near Aggie Road and A-State’s University Farm and Agricultural Teaching and Research Center.
The facility will become a hands-on training space for students pursuing their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees.
Center recognizes $1 million gift
The facility is named for Dash Goff, a prominent thoroughbred horse owner and breeder who donated $1 million to Arkansas State’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
Goff’s family has deep connections to horse racing. His father, Gene Goff, bred and owned Nodouble, a racehorse that won the Arkansas Derby in 1968.
Nodouble later became known as the “Arkansas Traveler” and went on to set national track racing records.
“We are grateful to Dash Goff for his strong commitment to our College of Veterinary Medicine, our Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students, and the future of the veterinary profession in Arkansas,” said Dr. Heidi Banse, dean of the CVM.
The Nodouble name is now incorporated into the new teaching facility, connecting the family’s horse racing history with veterinary education at A-State.
Students will gain practical experience
Veterinary students will use the center for hands-on laboratories involving horses.
Training opportunities will include areas such as hoof care and ultrasound, giving students experience with procedures and examinations they may encounter in their careers.
“The Dash Goff Equine Center – Nodouble Barn is equipped with eight equine stocks, three stalls, and an equipment storage room that will support hands-on equine restraint, examination and procedural skills training of our veterinary students,” Banse said.
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The facility is designed to support A-State’s competency-based veterinary curriculum by giving students a dedicated location to develop their equine clinical skills.
“This facility is key to delivering our competency-based veterinary curriculum, ensuring we can train our veterinary students to be prepared to effectively serve the needs of horses, trainers and owners upon graduation,” Banse said.
The university also plans to work with people and organizations involved in the equine industry as students continue their veterinary education.
“We look forward to working with Dash, Oaklawn and other stakeholders in the equine industry to support our DVM students towards becoming competent and confident veterinarians that can ensure quality care for companion and performance horses across our great state, throughout the Mid-South and beyond,” Banse said.
Barn also honors longtime veterinarian
The new facility includes another connection to the Goff family’s history.
A plaque inside the barn recognizes Dr. Doyne Hamm, who served as the Goff family’s veterinarian for many years.
That recognition adds another veterinary connection to a facility created specifically to help educate future members of the profession.
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With eight equine stocks, three stalls and space for equipment, the center will allow students to move beyond classroom instruction and practice skills directly with horses.
The Oct. 8 dedication will formally mark the opening of that new educational space and recognize the contribution that helped make it possible.
For A-State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, the Dash Goff Equine Center – Nodouble Barn will serve as a place where students can develop practical skills while preparing to care for both companion and performance horses after graduation.
