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From the Desk of Marty Schaffel: A Great Man Who Made a Huge Difference

What do we admire in people most? I pose this question to my students at UF frequently. And here is what they usually say: Humility Perseverance Empathy Integrity Passion Kindness Confidence And when we meet someone who possesses those traits, they usually make a huge difference in the lives of those they touch. And so it was with Dr. Scott Bennett. He touched so many of our lives. He saved so many of our horses. He was there for us virtually all the time.

Dr. Bennett embodied the best in humanity. He possessed all the attributes of character I listed above. He fought a tough fight. During those difficult times, he still tried to be there for us.  In his life, he put all of us and our horses ahead of himself. He was a very caring and selfless person.

He strived to be the best in his field. And I believe he was as good as there ever was in veterinary medicine.  He proved it to so many of us over and over again. I personally recall the number of times he came to the rescue of our horses.  He was very gifted.

He was a humble man. There was a moment we shared last year that is indelibly inscribed in my memory.  He was helping one of our horses and I asked him how his fight against cancer was going.  He paused and said he was doing great. I was almost convinced but I saw a little glimmer of apprehension and fear in his eyes. I told him how much he meant to all of us and that we loved him very much and we were all here for him. As he has been there for us for so many years.

He thanked me for the kind words and firmly shook my hand. And I saw his eyes well up in tears. It was a tough moment for both of us. We both knew that kind of cancer is so sadly lethal.   He put up a Herculean fight. And yet he was always still there for all of us.

His memory will live within all of us. He is the example we all can emulate.  He made our world a better place. He made a difference in all of our lives. He left us something very special though. He left us the greatest example of what is the best in humanity. When in these difficult times we are questioning the presence of that greatness in humanity, we all just need to stop and remember Dr. Bennett.  If we all can learn from the wonderful example he set for us, this world he left behind will be a little bit better.

Rest In Peace our dear friend. We will miss you and always remember you.

Marty Schaffel, ASHA President