Dr. Justin B. Janssen was honored as a 2001 Alumni Recognition Award recipient during the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Reception at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Equine Practitioners on November 25 in San Diego, California K-State's Veterinary Medical Alumni Association sponsored the award. The veterinarian is being recognized for time and effort devoted to advancing the profession of veterinary medicine and for being an exemplary role model for future alumni of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University.

Dr. Janssen grew up in the central Kansas town of Geneseo, and he earned two academic degrees from Kansas State University, a bachelor's degree in 1970 and a doctorate of veterinary medicine in 1972. After graduation, Dr. Janssen served two years in the United States Army Veterinary Corp. He then worked for an equine veterinary center in Westfield, Ind. before opening Janssen Veterinary Clinic in Sheridan, Indiana in 1977. While the four-veterinarian practice serves both large and small animal care needs, approximately 60% of the clinic's patients are horses.

Throughout his career, Dr. Janssen has remained involved in several national and regional equine organizations and served on many committees. Since joining the American Association of Equine Practitioners in 1973, he has attended 26 of the last 28 annual AAEP meetings, and he currently serves as the Ethics Forum Facilitator. He previously served on the Purchase Committee and Pubic Relations Committee, and partook in an Equine Event Ambulance/Education focus group.

Dr. Janssen joined the Indiana Association of Equine Practitioners in 1974, and he has served as past chairman, program coordinator and representative to the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association. He remains currently involved with a number of equine associations including co-chairman of the Hoosier Horse Fair and Expo Steering Committee for the Indiana Horse Council, director of the Indiana Horse Council Foundation and board member of the Agape Therapeutic Riding for Handicapped. Previous involvements include the Indiana Commission of Farm Animal Care, the Indiana Livestock Breeders Association, the Indiana High School Rodeo Association and the Indiana Quarter Horse Association.

An active member of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association since 1974, Dr. Janssen served a six-year term on the Board of Directors, and he also served on several equine, program and strategic plan committees. He has been an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association since 1972.

Dr. Janssen has been recognized throughout the years for his service and dedication to the veterinary profession and the equine industry. He was named Honorary Indiana Commissioner of Agriculture in 1999, and he has also been named as an Indiana Friend of 4-H.

Dr. Janssen's greatest and proudest accomplishment is his family. Mary, his wife of 31 years, earned a bachelor's and master's degree in speech pathology from Kansas State University. His children are carrying on the K-State legacy. Ben is a 1999 graduate and Katie will graduate in 2002.