Karl Hoopes, DVM
Utah State University Extension and USU College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
Vice President and Dean
![Karl Hoopes, DVM](/communitywellness/images/presenters/karl-hoopes.jpg)
Biography
Karl Hoopes grew up on a small dairy farm near Afton, Wyoming. He graduated with BS from the University of Wyoming in 2000 and with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University in 2003. In 2015, he started work at USU in equine extension and developed a program call Ride Utah!, which provides a 2 hour trail ride, lunch, and professionally moderated group discussions for military personnel and an invited guest. The program is hosted locally by county extension and collaborates with community members and military support groups.
Karl’s presentation will discuss how Ride Utah! is harnessing Utah’s natural beauty and resources into a successful program that improves participants lives and strengthens communities. He will also share data showing the program decreases anxiety, addiction cravings, provides enjoyment, and improves relationships with friends and family for military personnel.