Dr. Easter is a board-certified surgeon and co-owner of Performance Equine Associates in Thackerville, Okla., where he has practiced since 2000. He specializes in lameness and orthopedic surgery of the Western performance horse. After receiving his veterinary degree in 1993 from Texas A&M University, Dr. Easter spent two years in general equine practice at Katy Equine Clinic in Katy, Texas, before entering a surgical residency at Texas A&M. Upon completion of his residency in 1998, Dr. Easter spent a year as a faculty surgeon at Texas A&M before entering private practice.

Dr. Peters is co-owner and founder of East-West Equine Sports Medicine in Lexington, Ky., and a leading authority on locomotor pathology, diagnosis, treatment and management of sport horse health for optimum performance. Board certified in veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation, Dr. Peters is a multi-discipline licensed Federation Equestrian Internationale Veterinary Delegate and is FEI certified in dressage, eventing, jumping, driving, vaulting and reining. He received his veterinary degree in 1982 from the University of California, Davis.

Dr. Reuss is equine technical manager with Boehringer Ingelheim in Duluth, Ga., and chair of the AAEP’s Horse Owner Education Committee. A veterinary graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Reuss completed her internship at the Equine Medical Center of Ocala. She transitioned from academia to industry in 2016 following six years as a clinical assistant professor and chief of the large animal medicine service at the University of Florida. She also served on the Admissions and the Internship and Residency Evaluation committees and as a faculty advisor to the AAEP and AVMA Student Chapters.

Dr. Barton holds the Fuller E. Callaway Endowed Chair and is a Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. She also serves as assistant dean of clinical academic affairs, overseeing the program for third- and fourth-year veterinary students. Dr. Barton received her veterinary degree from the University of Illinois before completing an internship at North Carolina State University and a combined Large Animal Residency and Ph.D. in physiology at the University of Georgia.

Dr. Christakos is a shareholder at Littleton Equine Medical Center in Littleton, Colo., and a member of the AAEP board of directors. Upon receiving her veterinary degree from Colorado State University, Dr. Christakos completed an internship at Littleton Equine where she has remained on staff. Dr. Christakos is a past president of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, a member of the AAEP’s Scientific Review and Editorial Committee and has volunteered with AAEP student programming.

Dr. Loppnow is an equine surgery resident at Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics in Salinas, Calif. After receiving his veterinary degree from the University of Minnesota, Dr. Loppnow served an internship at Anoka Equine and stayed on as an associate for three more years. He completed a large animal rotating internship at Iowa State University in 2021–2022 before accepting his current position. Dr. Loppnow serves on the AAEP’s Member Engagement Committee.

Dr. Liepman is a board-certified equine internist with Cave Creek Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery in Phoenix, Ariz. She received her veterinary degree from Michigan State University, completed an internship at BW Furlong & Associates and a residency in large animal internal medicine at The Ohio State University. Dr. Liepman has spent several years collaborating with young veterinarians and university leaders to build a strong internship program focused on skills development and open communication.

Dr. Tyma is a board-certified surgeon at Rhinebeck Equine in Rhinebeck, N.Y., where she completed her internship following graduation from Cornell University. She returned to Rhinebeck Equine in January after three years as an associate surgeon at The Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center. Dr. Tyma also completed a large animal surgical residency at the University of Georgia and is certified in veterinary acupuncture. Dr. Tyma is passionate about providing dedicated mentorship and a strong sense of community for intern veterinarians through her practice.

Dr. Sykes is associate professor of equine internal medicine at Massey University in New Zealand. Since receiving his veterinary degree from Murdoch University in Australia, Dr. Sykes has worked with a wide range of horses, focusing on high performance horses. Board certified in internal medicine in both America and Europe, Dr. Sykes has a strong interest in clinical research focused on gastrointestinal diseases of the horse with a specific focus on Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome. 

Dr. Andrews is LVMA Equine Committee professor and director of the Equine Health Studies Program at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. As an internal medicine specialist, Dr. Andrews’ research interests include pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of equine gastric ulcer disease. A veterinary graduate of Washington State University, Dr. Andrews is board-certified in veterinary internal medicine and was staff veterinarian at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Dr. Eggleston is an equine veterinarian who has owned and operated a solo ambulatory equine practice since 2005. She grew up a “Cape Codder,” graduated from Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine in 2000, and completed an internship at Blue Ridge Equine Clinic in Virginia. Dr. Eggleston has collaborated on various wellness initiatives for the AAEP, AVMA, and Connecticut VMA over the years. She founded a non-profit, Veterinarians for the Intervention and Prevention of Suicide (VIPS), with two colleagues. Dr. Eggleston loves to camp/hike, travel, pursue athletic endeavors (or just snuggle!) with her 13-year-old daughter and husband. She feels centered watching her flock of 12 hens “peck about.”

Dr. Martin is an ambulatory associate at Mountain Pointe Equine Veterinary Services in Long Valley, N.J. After attaining her veterinary degree from Ross University, Dr. Martin completed an internship at Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center in Ringoes, N.J., before joining Mountain Pointe Equine in 2018 as the practice’s first associate. The practice has a focus on general and performance medicine, and recently successfully formed an emergency cooperative with a neighboring practice. Dr. Martin's particular interests include endoscopy and dentistry.

Dr. Lindroth maintains a strong interest in helping practitioners establish innovative business models for emergency coverage. Having previously participated in the formation of an emergency co-operative and providing service as an equine relief veterinarian, she has presented on the topic of emergency coverage at the AAEP Annual Convention and facilitated many rounds discussions. Dr. Lindroth resides in Bozeman, Mont., as a dedicated equine veterinarian, educator, wife, and mother. A veterinary graduate of Colorado State University, Dr. Lindroth has over 25 years of diverse equine practice experience both as a business owner and academic instructor. She currently teaches at Montana State University but will soon relocate and assume a new faculty position at Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Schnabel is an associate professor of equine orthopedic surgery at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Schnabel completed her DVM, large animal surgery residency and Ph.D. at Cornell University, and she is board certified in veterinary surgery and veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation. Dr. Schnabel’s research focuses on stem cell immunology, use of biologic therapies to treat musculoskeletal injuries and diseases, and advancing equine rehabilitation protocols. Dr. Schnabel is also co-founder and chief medical officer of Vetletics Inc., created in 2020 to improve the welfare, health and performance of equine athletes.

Dr. Seabaugh is a board-certified veterinary surgeon and assistant professor of equine sports medicine at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. After receiving her veterinary degree from Washington State University, Dr. Seabaugh completed an internship at a specialty equine referral practice in California followed by a large animal surgical residency at Colorado State. Following three years on faculty at University of Georgia, Dr. Seabaugh returned to Colorado State in 2016, where her clinical and research interests include biologic therapies and lameness diagnosis.

Dr. Heleski is a senior lecturer in the Equine Science and Management Program at the University of Kentucky. Her applied research interests include equine behavior and welfare, horse-human interactions, and sport horse welfare issues. Dr. Heleski serves on the FEI’s Commission for Equine Ethics and Wellbeing, and she co-authored “Thoroughbred Racehorse Welfare through the Lens of ‘Social License to Operate—With an Emphasis on a U.S. Perspective,” which was published in the peer-reviewed journal Sustainability. Dr. Heleski received her Ph.D. in Animal Science with an emphasis in equine behavior and welfare from Michigan State University, where she worked for 25 years as coordinator of its Horse Management Program.

Dr. Sandler-Burtness is the owner of Pacific Coast Equine Veterinary Services and an FEI official veterinarian. Her practice involves primarily sport horse medicine. She graduated from Colorado State University’s vet school in 2000 and completed a surgical internship at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Kentucky.

Dr. Sutherland is a private practitioner in Oxford, Miss., and member of the AAEP’s Welfare & Public Policy Advisory Council. He previously worked for the USEF/AQHA Drug and Medication Program and as Veterinary Medical Officer with the USDA, where he served as lead VMO in USDA team inspections and was responsible for initiating over 400 federal cases for violation of the Horse Protection Act. Dr. Sutherland was also a committee member for the 2021 published study by the National Academy of Sciences, “A Review of Methods for Detecting Soreness in Horses.” He received his veterinary degree from Mississippi State University.

Dr. Vale of San Diego, Calif., conducts the Postmortem Review Program as an Official Veterinarian for the California Horse Racing Board. She is a graduate of the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and holds a Master's degree in Veterinary Forensic Medicine. Dr. Vale is a passionate proponent of the humane use of horses and currently chairs the AAEP’s Welfare & Public Policy Advisory Council, on which she has served since 2015.

Dr. Zeliff is founder and managing partner of Allegheny Equine in Murrysville, Penn., as well as a current AAEP board member. After receiving his veterinary degree from Purdue University in 1988, Dr. Zeliff completed an internship at the Elmont Equine Hospital at Belmont Park in New York, before relocating to western Pennsylvania in 1989. He opened his current practice in 1992. His primary interests are equine reproduction, sports medicine, lameness and practice management. Dr. Zeliff completed his MBA in 2019.

Dr. Flynn, Equine Health and Biosecurity Veterinarian for United States Equestrian Federation, earned her veterinary degree at the University of Glasgow, Scotland.  Previous to this position Dr. Flynn was a state animal health official for over 23 years holding positions as the Kentucky State Veterinarian and the Equine Staff Veterinarian for the California Department of Food and Agriculture.  She serves on the US Animal Health Association and the American Horse Council. She has extensive domestic and international experience in epidemiologic disease investigations, developing and implementing equine biosecurity plans, drafting and enforcement of regulations, and emergency disease response.

Dr. Pelzel-McCluskey is the national equine epidemiologist for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services in Fort Collins, Colo., where she oversees the federal response to reportable equine disease outbreaks nationwide. Dr. Pelzel-McCluskey has been an epidemiologist with state and federal animal health agencies since 2004, after several years in private equine practice. She received a M.S. degree in Immunology and Infectious Disease from Washington State University in 2017.

Dr. Morello is a courtesy associate professor at The Center for Veterinary Business and Entrepreneurship at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, from which she received her DVM in 2006. Dr. Morello has published extensively and lectured nationally and internationally on professional sustainability in veterinary medicine studying organizational topics, compensation, career paths, and work-life integration with a particular consideration for gender.

Dr. Pownall is president of McKee-Pownall Equine Services in the Greater Toronto area, and is also a partner in Oculus Insights, which provides business education for veterinarians and their staff around the world. After seven years as a farrier, Dr. Pownall received his veterinary degree from University of Guelph in 2001. He is co-host of the AAEP’s Practice Life podcast and speaks on practice management topics at the AAEP Annual Convention and other forums.

Dr. Reda is an ambulatory associate veterinarian with Southern Equine Service in Aiken, S.C. She received her veterinary degree in 2015 from the University of Florida and completed her internship at Southern Equine. Dr. Reda serves on the AAEP’s Member Engagement Committee, and she is passionate about pioneering ways for recent veterinary graduates to remain and thrive in equine practice.

Dr. Zeliff is founder and managing partner of Allegheny Equine in Murrysville, Penn., as well as a current AAEP board member. After receiving his veterinary degree from Purdue University in 1988, Dr. Zeliff completed an internship at the Elmont Equine Hospital at Belmont Park in New York, before relocating to western Pennsylvania in 1989. He opened his current practice in 1992. His primary interests are equine reproduction, sports medicine, lameness and practice management. Dr. Zeliff completed his MBA in 2019.

Dr. Ellis is an assistant clinical professor in equine sports medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Georgia, from which she received her veterinary degree in 2009 and completed a large animal rotating internship in 2010. Dr. Ellis became certified in equine chiropractic and acupuncture during 4.5 years as a general equine ambulatory practitioner before completing a specialty internship in equine surgery and sports medicine at the University of Florida in 2016. She completed a combined equine diagnostic imaging internship and equine sports medicine and rehabilitation residency at Colorado State University in 2020 prior to joining the University of Georgia, where she has strong interest in equine rehabilitation and musculoskeletal imaging.

Dr. Walker practices at Cave Creek Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery in Phoenix, Ariz. She joined the practice in 2020 following 12 years at California Equine Orthopedics, a specialty practice in San Diego. Dr. Walker received her veterinary degree from Texas A&M University in 2008, after which she completed a sports medicine and imaging internship and residency at California Equine Orthopedics. While in California, she worked on a wide array of breeds and disciplines, performing in depth lameness examinations and performing and interpreting advanced diagnostic imaging.

Dr. Graves is a clinical associate professor of large animal emergency relief for field service at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, from which she received her veterinary degree in 2001. Dr. Graves entered equine practice treating both hospital and ambulatory cases in South Carolina and Georgia until starting her own emergency relief services practice in North Carolina in 2008, a business model she brought to the University of Tennessee in 2013.

Dr. Lee lives in the Lake Tahoe area and owns High Tide Veterinary Services, providing relief services for veterinary practices in California, Oregon and Nevada. She moved to Scotland to complete her veterinary degree at the University of Edinburgh, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in 2016. Dr. Lee returned to California to establish her current practice.

Dr. Logan is a South Dakota-based relief veterinarian for equine and small animal practices throughout the U.S. After receiving her veterinary degree from Oklahoma State University in 2003, and moving to Australia in 2007, Dr. Logan returned to her native South Dakota, where she spent 10 years in a mixed animal practice before transitioning to relief work for fellow veterinarians who need time off.

Dr. Wright is a senior equine professional services veterinarian with Merck Animal Health who also sees chiropractic cases and emergency calls for local practitioners. A 2009 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Wright is a founding member of the Sustainability in Equine Practice Seminars as well as a Decade One/Starting Gate program facilitator and is passionate about helping practitioners find solutions to maximize their satisfaction in practice.