Presidential treatment

Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro may be a national celebrity these days, but he still made time last week for an important visitor.

University President Amy Gutmann visited Barbaro at the School of Veterinary Medicine's New Bolton Center last Friday and spoke with his owners and doctors about his health.

"I have seen firsthand the extraordinary care that Barbaro is receiving at our School of Veterinary Medicine," Gutmann said. "Barbaro's surgeon, and his team are providing state-of-the art treatment and the entire staff is offering tremendous support."

Barbaro fractured his right hind leg in three places during the running of the Preakness on May 20. He was taken to the New Bolton Center in Kennett, Pa., where he underwent surgery and is currently recovering.

Gutmann said that Dr. Dean Richardson, Barbaro's surgeon, informed her that the horse's condition was "excellent" but cautioned that a recovery would take months rather than days.

"Barbaro is as feisty and friendly, especially toward those of us bringing good food, as one would expect a true athlete to be," Gutmann said.

Doctors are cautiously optimistic about Barbaro's recovery after initially saying that his chances of survival were fifty-fifty.

"We can all be extremely proud of the superb medical treatment offered at the New Bolton Center," Gutmann said.

Barbaro's owners, Penn alumni Gretchen and Roy Jackson, said that they were happy that Gutmann paid a visit to Barbaro and that they selected the New Bolton facility for his operation "for its outstanding service to the horse world."

"All the experts said go there," Gretchen Jackson said. "I certainly don't know of any better [facility] in the United States and it is certainly within a perfect distance from all the tracks."

About the fact that Barbaro is being treated at her alma mater, Jackson said that was more coincidence than intention.

"It couldn't be a better place," she said. "It just happened to be the best place but it's nice that it has that connection."

Roy Jackson said that there really was never much debate as to where to take Barbaro after his injury at the Preakness.

"Everyone was on the same page to get him out of there and get him to New Bolton as soon as possible," he said.

Gretchen Jackson said that she was informed about Gutmann's visit and was with Barbaro at the time.

"I was just told she was coming," she said. "The fact that it is the winner of the Kentucky Derby and have it there at Penn I would think she'd be interested."

Gail Luciani, the director of communications for the School of Veterinary Medicine, said that the media exposure of the New Bolton Center is good for the larger University.

"New Bolton Center already had a world renowned reputation in equine medicine [but] one of the important things for us was to let the public know that New Bolton Center was part of the University of Pennsylvania," Luciani said. As for Barbaro, the Jacksons remain hopeful but recognize that the situation is fragile and could change at any time.

"It's a long road to go but I think everything is going as well as anyone could expect," Roy Jackson said. "All the vets are still somewhat guarded because you never know when something could crop up but I think everyday we get away from the injury and the operation is better."

Gretchen Jackson expressed her gratitude to supporters since the accident.

"It's been amazing the amount of well-wishers and people that have sent us notes, flowers, drawings by kids," she said. "It's exciting to think that this horse has caught so many people's imaginations."

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