March 2, 2021
Centenary University’s Jesslyn Bryk-Lucy, D.V.M., Named Veterinarian of the Year
Dr. Bryk-Lucy selected for Region II award from the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, an international organization for therapeutic riding.
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, March 2, 2021— Jesslyn Bryk-Lucy, D.V.M., Centenary University’s resident veterinarian and assistant professor of equine studies, has been named Veterinarian of the Year for Region II by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH Intl®). PATH Intl® is a nonprofit membership organization for therapeutic riding and other equine-assisted services.
As resident veterinarian at Centenary, Dr. Bryk-Lucy cares for all of the horses at the University, which offers a nationally ranked Equine Studies Department with graduates who are currently enrolled at top veterinary schools including Cornell University, the University of Pennsylvania, North Carolina State, and Ross University. Centenary’s diverse herd has approximately 100 horses. Dr. Bryk-Lucy treats many conditions, including lameness, colic, ophthalmic issues, lacerations, and metabolic diseases. She is also an equine acupuncturist and chiropractor.
Among her responsibilities at Centenary is caring for horses that participate in the Therapeutic Riding At Centenary (TRAC) program, recognized as a premier accredited center and higher education member by PATH Intl®, which facilitates beneficial interactions between horses and humans through training and education to develop professionals in the field of equine-assisted education and therapy.
“This is an absolutely amazing outlet for so many people of all ages to use horses to find strength and independence while working through physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges,” said Dr. Bryk-Lucy, who balances her duties at Centenary with her own private ambulatory veterinary practice, Leg Up Equine Veterinary Services. “I love how the therapeutic riding program reaches people with physical challenges, but can also be useful for veterans, troubled youth, and leadership programs.”
Dr. Bryk-Lucy grew up near Buffalo, NY, and has been an experienced horsewoman since childhood. She started riding at age five, got her first pony at 10 and showed in competitions, then got a jumper and competed until she received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University. After graduation, she trained horses and rode professionally in New Jersey before returning to Cornell for veterinary school.
“Horses are a lifestyle, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Dr. Bryk-Lucy explained. “They have taught me and helped me grow as a person. I get great satisfaction from seeing the horses I treat out doing their job. Horses like to have a purpose, too, and it’s my job to keep them comfortable so they can continue to perform.”
Dr. Bryk-Lucy’s award will be announced formally at the PATH Intl® Region II virtual conference on March 27. Region II encompasses New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, DC, and several Scandinavian countries.
ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary University’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix provides an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world. The University’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township. The Centenary University School of Professional Studies offers degree programs in Parsippany, as well as online and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.