Tell us about your background.
I grew up on a small cattle ranch in southeastern Idaho and originally planned on being a mixed animal practitioner.
I was always around horses as we used them to move cattle out onto open range, and we feed cattle in winter months using a sleigh and a team of draft horses.
My interest in equine medicine started when I was in mixed practice. During my first job, my employer started sending me on the ambulatory calls and most of those were horses. I discovered that I really enjoyed working with horses and their owners. After 3 years in practice, I made the decision to complete a residency in internal medicine, and I came to Champaign to complete my training in equine internal medicine.
My interests include geriatric horse care, managing disorders of body condition and neonatal medicine.
Tell us about a favorite case of yours.
One of my favorite cases was during my time in private practice and involved a foal that was born prematurely at 290 days gestation. Not only was it a challenging case to manage, but it was great to see all the staff and interns come together and volunteer to cover shifts while the foal was most critical. Everyone was tired at the end of the two-week hospitalization, but all had a great sense of accomplishment when the foal went home.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
In my spare time, I enjoy photography. My hobby started while working in ambulatory practice and seeing the fascinating old barns that are found across the country. I started photographing the old barns, and now I do mainly landscape photography.
