Meet Our Veterinarians
KELLY ZEYTOONIAN
Owner | DVM, CERP, MBA
Dr. Kelly Zeytoonian moved to the Bay Area in 2009 after earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Zeytoonian has a special interest in lameness and diagnostic imaging as well as preventative medicine. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), The Northern California Association of Equine Practitioners (NCAEP) and The International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology (ISELP).
Kelly has participated in a number of equine disciplines, including: trail riding, fox hunting, endurance, and currently hunter/jumpers. This variety has led to her interest in performance horses and sports medicine. Kelly is proud to serve on the Menlo Charity Horse Show Committee, Woodside Livestock & Equestrian Heritage Committee, NCAEP and serves as a board member of B.O.K. Ranch. She is also an instructor for Foothill College's Veterinary Technology Program. In her spare time she enjoys running, hiking, and skiing along with any other outdoor activities she can do with her husband and dogs.
Kelly has participated in a number of equine disciplines, including: trail riding, fox hunting, endurance, and currently hunter/jumpers. This variety has led to her interest in performance horses and sports medicine. Kelly is proud to serve on the Menlo Charity Horse Show Committee, Woodside Livestock & Equestrian Heritage Committee, NCAEP and serves as a board member of B.O.K. Ranch. She is also an instructor for Foothill College's Veterinary Technology Program. In her spare time she enjoys running, hiking, and skiing along with any other outdoor activities she can do with her husband and dogs.
KRISTY MODING
Associate | DVM
Dr. Kristy Moding grew up in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Boulder, Colorado riding in the Hunter-Jumper show circuit. Kristy graduated from North Carolina State Veterinary School in 2011 with a focus on equine medicine. She completed further training after vet school under the guidance of a board-certified internal medicine specialist. Her focus has been on performance horse soundness including working with farriers to optimize hoof care and improve performance. She also has a special interest in ophthalmology and dentistry.
Kristy is passionate about travel and the welfare of working equids and has participated in yearly veterinary volunteer trips to provide free care to horses in Nicaragua. She also continues to ride in the jumper ring in her spare time.
Kristy is passionate about travel and the welfare of working equids and has participated in yearly veterinary volunteer trips to provide free care to horses in Nicaragua. She also continues to ride in the jumper ring in her spare time.
GARY HANES
Associate | DVM
Dr. Hanes is a 1978 graduate of the University of California, Davis following his undergraduate studies in physiology at the same school. He spent one year at Texas A&M University as a large animal intern, then 3 years at The Ohio State University as a resident in equine surgery. Dr. Hanes then worked at Southwest Equine Hospital in Scottsdale, AZ but eventually returned to California and became the sole owner of Briarwood Equine Clinic, located in Woodside, in 2002. In August of 2018 Briarwood Equine joined Starwood Equine Veterinary Services where Dr. Hanes continues to practice general equine medicine.
When not caring for patients you can usually find him on his road bike.
When not caring for patients you can usually find him on his road bike.
CARA WRIGHT
Associate | DVM, MS, IVCA Certified
Dr. Cara Wright grew up swimming and eventing outside of Washington DC. After attending Louisiana State University to earn her Master of Science with a focus on Equine Reproduction, she graduated in 2009 from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. After vet school, she headed straight to Ocala for an internship at a large practice focused on the needs of the Thoroughbred racehorse. She stayed in Florida for a few years but comes to California from the mountains of Sun Valley, Idaho. Cara completed the Options for Animals Chiropractic -United Kingdom course and is certified by the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association. She now teaches sessions for other veterinarians and human chiropractors at the Options for Animals UK chiropractic for animals course.
Cara's interests outside of work involve cycling and triathlon, which correlates with her professional interests in the equine athlete and integrating additional modalities such as laser and chiropractic to keep horses feeling and working their best. Dr. Wright also really enjoys working with geriatric horses and ophthalmic cases.
Cara's interests outside of work involve cycling and triathlon, which correlates with her professional interests in the equine athlete and integrating additional modalities such as laser and chiropractic to keep horses feeling and working their best. Dr. Wright also really enjoys working with geriatric horses and ophthalmic cases.
Kelli Matheny
Associate | DVM, MS
Dr. Kelli Matheny is originally from Hebron, Indiana where she grew up camping, trail riding, and participating in her local 4-H club. While studying Animal Sciences at Purdue University, Kelli enjoyed showing in the intercollegiate hunter-jumper circuit for the Purdue Equestrian Team. Kelli then obtained a Masters in Animal and Dairy Science at Mississippi State University. When she wasn’t doing research in equine reproduction, Kelli participated as a teacher’s aid for several undergraduate equine courses. Kelli then moved to Southern California and completed her veterinary degree at Western University of Health Sciences. Following the completion of a post-graduate rotating equine internship, Kelli joined the Starwood Equine team. Her career interests include sports medicine as well as primary and emergency care.
Outside of work, Kelli enjoys hiking, exploring Northern California’s beautiful wine country and beaches as well as spending time with friends and family.
Outside of work, Kelli enjoys hiking, exploring Northern California’s beautiful wine country and beaches as well as spending time with friends and family.
Brigid McCarthy
Associate | DVM
Dr. Brigid McCarthy grew up in the small central California town of Ojai. While attending Stanford University, she was very involved in riding and leadership on the Stanford Equestrian Team. Brigid then spent two years performing autism research at UCLA prior to returning to the Bay Area for a post-baccalaureate program. Brigid began working for Starwood Equine in early 2014 as a veterinary assistant, gaining invaluable experience both in the field and in the office. Brigid then began Veterinary School at UC Davis in Fall 2016, focusing on equine medicine and actively volunteering with the veterinary emergency response team deployed during recent fires. Brigid has a special interest in equine internal medicine and diagnostic imaging. Dr. McCarthy is excited to return to the Starwood team as she begins her veterinary career!
Outside of work, Brigid enjoys everything outdoors: running, hiking, skiing, and exploring Northern California with her Australian Shepherd, Madison.
Outside of work, Brigid enjoys everything outdoors: running, hiking, skiing, and exploring Northern California with her Australian Shepherd, Madison.
Meet Our Field Team
SUE NOVIK |
ALEXANDRA BRETZ |
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Field Manager, RVT
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Veterinary Assistant |
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Sue is a Registered Veterinary Technician and a member of the California Veterinary Medical Association, National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, and American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians.
She grew up in upstate New York where she started riding at 7 years old. Her family moved to southern California where she continued riding and was a member of 4-H and IEL in high school. She attended UC Davis and received her BS in Animal Science with Equestrian Emphasis while also working at the Equestrian Center. In her free time, Sue enjoys playing with dog Winston, arts and crafts, and recreational sports. Sue is thrilled to be a part of the Starwood Equine Team and to continue learning about her favorite field. |
Alexandra was born and raised in Palm Springs, CA, where she spent many summers at horse and zoo camps. She studied Animal Science and Wildlife Biology at Cal Poly, SLO. During her college years, Alexandra took several equine classes, working with thoroughbreds and quarter horses. This unique hands-on learning experience further developed her love of horses and helped her to realize that she wished to continue working in the field of equine medicine. Since graduating, she has had the opportunity to work in small animal hospitals and currently interns at a wildlife rehab center.
Alexandra is excited to join the Starwood team and work in a field where she can combine her passions for horses and veterinary medicine. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, interning at the wildlife center, and painting. |
CAILEY BURNS |
RACHEL BONSALL |
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Veterinary Assistant |
Veterinary Assistant |
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Cailey Burns was born and raised in the East Bay of CA, and has always been passionate about horses. She earned her B.A. in Biology with a minor in Equine Studies at Asbury University in Wilmore, KY. She fell in love with the Bluegrass, where she was able to attend events such as the Breeder’s Cup, Breyerfest, and the Rolex/Land Rover Kentucky 3-Day Event.
While in school, Cailey participated in the Service Mounts Club and Vaulting Club and was involved in a research study at the University of Kentucky, which looked at cytokine production in elderly horses in response to exercise, while concurrently being a working student for a USDF bronze, silver, and gold medalist. Cailey recently moved back to CA to pursue her dreams of equine veterinary medicine, and she is very excited to do that with the Starwood team. You’ll find Cailey walking her puppy, Archer, hiking, horseback riding, and rock climbing outside of work. When indoors, Cailey enjoys reading, drawing, painting, and playing D&D with her friends. |
Rachel was born and raised in Santa Cruz, CA, where she found her passion for horses. In Bozeman, MT, she earned her BS in Animal Science, emphasizing Equine Sciences, along with a minor in Business Administration at Montana State University. While attending school, she leased a thoroughbred, Percheron, Trakehner cross named Enzo, who carried her through Rocky Mountain trails and over jumps looking over the Bridger Mountain Range in Bozeman.
Post-graduation, Rachel worked at a small animal clinic and animal nutrition store in Montana. She recently moved back to the area to pursue her interest in equine medicine and is very excited to be a part of the Starwood team. Outside of work, you can find Rachel riding, hiking, camping, and doing anything that gets her out with her beloved chocolate lab, Wesley. |
Meet Our Office Team
Katie Barth |
Stefanie Juelsgaard |
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Administrative Manager
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Administrative Assistant |
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Born and raised in San Francisco, Katie grew up riding hunter/jumpers in the Bay Area. She attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing and Human Resource Management.
Katie previously worked in an equine clinic as an Office Assistant, and most recently spent time working in a very busy small animal clinic in Marin, as a Client Services Representative. Katie has also worked on various hunter/jumper shows in Northern California, and spent a summer working dressage and hunter/jumper shows outside of Chicago. Her primary focus while working many of these shows has been to assist with hospitality, awards, vendors and sponsorships. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, cheering on her favorite sports teams, and doting on her New Zealand Thoroughbred mare Lola. Katie is excited to be part of the Starwood team and further her knowledge of equine medicine. |
Stefanie grew up in Woodside, CA, and has spent much of her life around horses. She started riding at four years old and showed in jumpers until attending University. Stefanie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of San Diego and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Samuel Merritt three years later.
Her science background brought her to the lab of Thomas Fogarty Winery, where she became part of the winemaking team for eight years. She then moved into wine sales at K&L Wine Merchants, where she gained customer service and client communication expertise. Outside of work, Stefanie loves to hike with her dog, Bailey, cook, and play tennis. Though she no longer has a horse herself, Stefanie enjoys attending horse shows and watching her mother and sister ride. |
ASHLEY WAGNER
Equine Nutritionist | Ph.D.
Dr. Ashley Wagner received her BS and MS from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Animal and Poultry Sciences with an emphasis in nonruminant nutrition. She then earned a PhD from the University of Kentucky in Animal and Food Sciences with an emphasis in equine nutrition through the completion of her dissertation, titled “Factors affecting skeletal muscle protein synthesis in the horse.” She stayed at UK to complete post-doctoral training in the department of Physiology with a research emphasis in metabolism and skeletal muscle chronobiology. Upon completion of her post-doctoral training, Dr. Ashley moved back to Virginia as the Research Manager for Cooperative Research Farms. During the three years she spent with CRF, Dr. Ashley managed research trials and co-authored 50 internal publications. In 2014, Dr. Ashley left CRF to start a consultation firm whose cliental base stretches from individual horse owners and veterinarians to supplement and feed additive companies. As a large proponent of research, she is still very active in partnering with universities to investigate new ingredients and products, and is a member of a number of professional associations including the Equine Science Society and the American Society of Animal Sciences. Her publication history consists of over 40 co-authored abstracts, presented at regional or national conferences, and 10 peer-reviewed co-authored publications
In her spare time, Dr. Ashley enjoys spending time at the barn with her daughter, who is learning to ride, and riding and competing in hunter/jumpers on her VT-bred Hanoverian.
In her spare time, Dr. Ashley enjoys spending time at the barn with her daughter, who is learning to ride, and riding and competing in hunter/jumpers on her VT-bred Hanoverian.