Meet Our Veterinarians
KELLY ZEYTOONIAN
Owner | DVM, CERP, MBA
Takes appointments on the Peninsula and in East Bay
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
Primarily takes appointments on the Peninsula
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.
CARA WRIGHT
Associate | DVM, MS, IVCA Certified
Primarily takes appointments in East Bay
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
Primarily takes appointments on the Peninsula
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
Primarily takes appointments in East Bay
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 fires and other large scale disasters. 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.
Sophie Russell
Associate | DVM
Primarily takes appointments in East Bay
Dr. Sophie Russell was born and raised in Oakland, California. She graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and an Equine Science Minor. While at Cal Poly, she was a member of the national intercollegiate rodeo association, competing in barrel racing. Sophie received her doctorate in 2013 from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her clinical year at Kansas State University. Her interests include equine ophthalmology, preventative care, and lameness. She’s an active member of the Northern California Association of Equine Practitioners and American Veterinary Medical Association.
Outside of work, she enjoys playing and hiking with her two dogs; Blake and Buddie, riding her quarter horse Brody and spending time with family.
Outside of work, she enjoys playing and hiking with her two dogs; Blake and Buddie, riding her quarter horse Brody and spending time with family.
Meet Our Field Team
SUE NOVIK
Field Manager, RVT
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. |
RACHEL BONSALL
Veterinary AssistantRachel 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. |
ELENA CHACK
Veterinary AssistantElena was born in Khabarovsk, Russia but grew up in San Jose, California. She recently graduated from the Veterinary Technology Program at Foothill College and is currently preparing for the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). Elena started riding at three years old on her aunt’s ranch and immediately discovered her passion for horses. Prior to coming to Starwood, she worked at a small animal clinic and held an internship at a local equestrian center.
In her free time, Elena enjoys playing with her Maltipoo named Crystal, hiking with her family, and riding her horse named Beauty – who looks just like “Black Beauty” from the novel. |
JULIANNE WHITESIDE
Veterinary AssistantJulianne Whiteside was born and raised in Piedmont, CA, and grew up riding horses. She competed on the hunter circuit for a few years but now events her seven-year-old Westphalian while her sixteen-year-old draft cross enjoys retirement. Before joining Starwood, Julianne worked at Dover Saddlery, where her love for horses and involvement in the equestrian community grew. She is very excited to be a part of the Starwood team and learn as much as she can.
In her free time (when not at the barn), you can find Julianne in the gym, watching sports, or spending it with her two rescue dogs, Topaz and Coco. Julianne plans on attending school in the spring to become a registered veterinary technician to expand her knowledge to the fullest extent. |
Meet Our Office Team
Katie Barth
Administrative Manager
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 veterinary clinics as an Office Assistant. Katie has also worked on various hunter/jumper shows in Northern California and outside of Chicago. 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.
Katie previously worked in veterinary clinics as an Office Assistant. Katie has also worked on various hunter/jumper shows in Northern California and outside of Chicago. 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.
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.