# Animal Health Trust

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Animal_Health_Trust
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Animal_Health_Trust.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Health_Trust
> Source revision: 1351039279
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

UK charity

Animal Health Trust Founded 1942 Founder WR Wooldridge CBE, FRCVS Dissolved 31 July 2020[1] Type Charitable organisation Focus Epizootiology[2] Horses Canine Feline Location Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket Origins Veterinary Education Trust by Walter Reginald Wooldridge[3] Region served Veterinary medicine Key people Peter Webbon (CEO) Andrew Higgins (veterinarian)Scientific Director and Chief Executive[4]

The **Animal Health Trust** (AHT) was a large national independent charity in the United Kingdom, employing 200 scientists, veterinarians and support workers. Its objectives were to study and cure diseases in [pets](/source/Pet) (horses, dogs and cats), and research and [postgraduate education](/source/Postgraduate_education) in [veterinary medicine](/source/Veterinary). It was founded in 1942[5] by WR Wooldridge, and was awarded a [Royal Charter](/source/Royal_charter) on 29 July 1963. [Elizabeth II](/source/Elizabeth_II) was the charity's patron from 1959[6] until the end of 2016,[7] and [the Princess Royal](/source/Anne%2C_Princess_Royal) was its president. Based in [Newmarket](/source/Newmarket%2C_Suffolk) in Suffolk, it was a [registered charity](/source/Charitable_organization) under English law[8] and received no government funding. Following fundraising issues exacerbated by the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic), the charity entered liquidation on 31 July 2020.[1]

## Work

Research of the AHT was in two main areas: [inherited disease](/source/Genetic_disorder) and [infectious disease](/source/Infectious_diseases_(medical_specialty)). Inherited disease research includes [genetics](/source/Genetics), [oncology](/source/Oncology) and stem cell research. Infectious disease includes [bacteriology](/source/Bacteriology), [virology](/source/Virology), [immunology](/source/Immunology) and equine epidemiology and [disease surveillance](/source/Disease_surveillance).[9] Its clinics ran active internship and residency training programs for postgraduate education and training. The AHT published research and clinical findings in journals such as *Nature*,[10] and it also had its own open-access library.

AHT had two clinical centres: the Centre for Small Animal Studies and Centre for Equine Studies.[11][12] Both clinics offered diagnostic laboratories and DNA testing services and conducted research.[12]

## History

The AHT was founded in 1942 as the Veterinary Education Trust by Walter Reginald Wooldridge; it was renamed the "Animal Health Trust" in 1948.[3] One of its first major donors was [Annie Henrietta Yule](/source/Annie_Henrietta_Yule), co-owner of [Hanstead Stud](/source/Hanstead_Stud), who offered the Trust the use of her Newmarket stable, Balaton Lodge.[13] The Trust operated from there until 1998.

The Animal Health Trust expanded quickly after 1942 with schemes for postgraduate veterinary education and the establishment of four research centres for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases in horses, dogs, farm livestock and poultry, making a considerable contribution to veterinary science that was considered a monument to Wooldridge; Following the death of Wooldridge in 1966, the Trust focussed its work on horses and small animals, and in 1998 consolidated all of its activities at Lanwades Park near Newmarket.[14]

In 1989 the Trust received a grant of arms with the motto Salus Fidesque Animalium (the health and trust of animals).

Animal Health Trust Coat of Arms

[Lord Kirkham](/source/Graham_Kirkham%2C_Baron_Kirkham), who was on the Board of Trustees of AHT for 30 years (1990-2020) and served as Member of Council, Chair of the Executive Committee, and Vice-President, was a major donor to the charity. In the 1996 New Year Honours he was given a knighthood for his charitable work for the AHT and The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

Following fundraising difficulties and issues aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Animal Health Trust entered liquidation on 31 July 2020 with an auction for medical equipment in August 2020.[14][15] The medical site of the AHT went on auction for £7.85 million.[16] Lord Kirkham funded the relocation of the Harris Library to the [Harper Keele Veterinary School](/source/Keele_University), and the transfer of the institute's archives to the [Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons](/source/Royal_College_of_Veterinary_Surgeons).[17][18]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-HorseyHound_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-HorseyHound_1-1) Elder, Lucy (3 July 2020). ["*Breaking news* Animal Health Trust to close after attempts to secure a viable financial future fail"](https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/animal-health-trust-to-close-718828). *[Horse & Hound](/source/Horse_%26_Hound)*. Retrieved 23 January 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Zootiology_2-0)** ["AHT / BEVA / DEFRA Equine Quarterly Disease Surveillance Report"](https://www.jdata.co.za/iccviewer/media/dsr20161.pdf) (PDF). *DEFRA Equine Quarterly Disease Surveillance Report*. **12** (1).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Hannant_1993_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Hannant_1993_3-1) Hannant, D. (January 1993). "Scientific publications from the animal health trust at newmarket 1942–1991: A veterinary record". *British Veterinary Journal*. **149** (1): 9–19. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/S0007-1935(05)80207-6](https://doi.org/10.1016%2FS0007-1935%2805%2980207-6). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [8439802](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8439802).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Higgins_4-0)** ["Andrew James Higgins"](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Andrew-Higgins-6). *[ResearchGate](/source/ResearchGate)*. Retrieved 23 January 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BBCMention_5-0)** ["Animal Health Trust"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120322062502/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-568000-264000/page/19). BBC. Archived from [the original](https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-568000-264000/page/19) on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Hoey, Brian (2013). "Appendix 1: Royal Animal Patronages". *Pets by Royal Appointment: The Royal Family and their Animals*. Biteback Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-84954-649-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-84954-649-2).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Queen steps down as patron of children's charities"](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-38380285). *BBC News*. 20 December 2016. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220922085112/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-38380285) from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2017. Other organisations which will be seeking a new patron include... the Animal Health Trust...

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["*Animal Health Trust, registered charity no. 209642*"](https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=209642&subId=0). [Charity Commission for England and Wales](/source/Charity_Commission_for_England_and_Wales). accessed 14 February 2019

1. **[^](#cite_ref-EquineFluOutbreak_9-0)** Elder, Lucy (4 June 2019). ["Equine flu 'gathering pace' as experts warn owners not to drop their guard"](https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/equine-flu-june-2019-690226). *[Horse & Hound](/source/Horse_%26_Hound)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Animal Health Trust (AHT)"](https://www.nature.com/nature-index/institution-outputs/united-kingdom-uk/animal-health-trust-aht/57981136140ba096498b4568#collaboration). *Nature Index*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221020054528/https://www.nature.com/nature-index/institution-outputs/united-kingdom-uk/animal-health-trust-aht/57981136140ba096498b4568#collaboration) from the original on 20 October 2022. Retrieved 20 October 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-SmallAnimalCentre_11-0)** Sparkes, Andrew (14 April 2008). ["Looking bright with future in sight"](https://www.vettimes.co.uk/article/looking-bright-with-future-in-sight/). *Vet Times*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-EquineResearch_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-EquineResearch_12-1) ["Major job cuts at Animal Health Trust"](https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/major-job-cuts-at-animal-health-trust-72588). *[Horse & Hound](/source/Horse_%26_Hound)*. 21 December 2005.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Hunter, Pamela (2016). *Veterinary Medicine*. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.4324/9781315235103](https://doi.org/10.4324%2F9781315235103). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-351-87605-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-351-87605-6).[*[page needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources)*]

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-VetJournal2020_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-VetJournal2020_14-1) [Higgins, Andrew J.](/source/Andrew_Higgins_(veterinarian)); Meldrum, Keith C.; Johnson, J. Barry; Biggs, Peter M.; Chandler, Edward A. (June 2021). "The Animal Health Trust (1942–2020)". *The Veterinary Journal*. **272** 105681. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.tvjl.2021.105681](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.tvjl.2021.105681). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [33895064](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33895064).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Closure of a specialist animal treatment centre used by clients from West Norfolk results in sale of specialist veterinary equipment"](https://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/closure-of-a-specialist-animal-treatment-centre-used-by-clients-from-west-norfolk-results-in-sale-of-specialist-veterinary-equipment-9122393/). *Lynn News*. 9 September 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Massive site of former veterinary charity's HQ on the market for £7.85m"](https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/newmarket/news/former-animal-health-trust-site-goes-on-sale-9240574/). *Suffolk News*. 17 February 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ShropshireLive_17-0)** ["The Princess Royal opens new Veterinary Education Centre at Harper Adams University"](https://www.shropshirelive.com/news/2021/06/30/the-princess-royal-opens-new-veterinary-education-centre-at-harper-adams-university/). *Shropshire Live*. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-AnimalHealthTrustDirector_18-0)** ["Animal Health Trust Library donated to Harper & Keele Veterinary School"](https://www.keele.ac.uk/natsci/facultynews/2021/march/vet-school/animal-health-library.php). *[Keele University](/source/Keele_University)*. 11 March 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2025.

## Further reading

- Onslow, Richard (1992). *A History of the Animal Health Trust*. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [28251741](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/28251741).

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF National United States

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Animal Health Trust](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Health_Trust) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Health_Trust?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.