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.

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.

SILKE HOFFMANN

Associate | DVM
Starting Summer 2025 - Primarily takes appointments on the Peninsula

Dr. Silke Hoffmann has been drawn to horses since childhood when growing up riding in Southern California. She continued working with horses while attending California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where she competed as part of the school’s Intercollegiate Horse Show Association team.

After earning her bachelor’s degree, Dr. Hoffmann attended veterinary school at the University of California, Davis, where she served as co-president of the student American Association of Equine Practitioners chapter. She is currently completing a rotating equine internship in Oregon prior to joining the Starwood team.. She has special interests in ophthalmology, emergency care, and dentistry. 
She enjoys hiking with her rescue German shepherd, Kylo, playing board games with friends, and reading a good science fiction book.

NATALIE SANFORD

Associate | BVMS, MRCVS

Dr. Natalie Sanford has been passionate about horses for as long as she can remember. Growing up in Florida, she spent much of her early life riding and working around horses, which led her to pursue a degree in Animal Science with a specialization in Equine Science at UC Davis. She earned her veterinary degree from the University of Glasgow and is a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS). Through externships across the U.S., U.K., and Morocco, she gained experience in sports medicine, lameness, and preventative care.
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Outside of work, Natalie enjoys horseback riding, snowboarding, reading fantasy and sci-fi novels, and perfecting her coffee skills—something she picked up as a barista before vet school.

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 graduated from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2020, where she focused on equine medicine and volunteered with the veterinary emergency response team. She returned to Starwood Equine after graduation, and has a special interest in equine internal medicine, general care, and dentistry. Brigid is trained and certified through the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association.

Outside of work, Brigid enjoys everything outdoors: running, hiking, skiing, and exploring Northern California with her husband and two dogs.

MICHELLE LAIOLO-DIBBLE

Associate | DVM
​Primarily takes appointments in East Bay

Dr. Michelle Laiolo was raised in Tracy, California. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and minors in Biochemistry and Philosophy. While at LMU, she actively participated in animal behavior and ecological research. Michelle graduated from the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2023 with honors focusing on equine medicine. As a veterinary student, she acted as student liaison to the Northern California Association of Equine Practitioners and was an active member of UCD’s veterinary emergency response team. Her career interests include emergency medicine, reproduction, sports medicine, and preventative care. 

Outside of work, Michelle enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends and any activities involving her dog (Jax) and cat (Annie). She is excited to return to the East Bay and serve the area! 

ISABELLA ESPENSCHEID

Associate | VMD
​Starts OCT 2025 - Primarily takes appointments in East Bay

Dr. Isabella Espenscheid "Dr. Bella" was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida, and spent her childhood summers at the barn, solidifying her love for all things horses. She attended the University of Miami, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology, before heading north to attend veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania. During her time at Penn Vet, Dr. Bella served on the boards of both the student chapter of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the Veterinary Business Management Association.

Following graduation, Dr. Bella completed a rotating equine internship at B.W. Furlong & Associates in New Jersey, where she gained valuable experience in a fast-paced, collaborative practice. Her veterinary interests include general care, ophthalmology, and sports medicine.

Outside of work, Dr. Bella enjoys reading fantasy novels, cooking elaborate meals, and exploring the outdoors with her boyfriend and their dog, Remy.

KELLI MATHENY

Relief Work | DVM

Originally from Hebron, Indiana, Dr. Kelli grew up camping, trail riding, and participating in her local 4-H club. While studying Animal Sciences at Purdue University, she enjoyed showing in the intercollegiate hunter-jumper circuit for the Purdue Equestrian Team. Dr. Kelli then obtained a Masters in Animal and Dairy Science at Mississippi State University. When she wasn't doing research in equine reproduction, she participated as a teacher's aid for several undergraduate equine courses. She then moved to Southern California and completed her veterinary degree at Western University of Health Sciences. 

​Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, exploring Northern California's beautiful wine country and beaches as well as spending time with friends and 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

RVT

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 joined the Starwood Equine team in 2021, after moving back to the area. In 2024, Rachel completed her schooling to become an RVT!

​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 Assistant

Elena 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 Assistant

Julianne 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. 

JULIE COSTA

AMANDA SANTOS

Veterinary Assistant

Veterinary Assistant

Julie Costa was raised in the Bay Area before moving to the high desert of Oregon in middle school, where she began competing as a hunter/jumper before switching to eventing and dressage. She earned her B.S. in Animal Science with a concentration in Equine Science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. During her time at Cal Poly, she coached and rode with the Cal Poly Dressage Team, worked at the campus Equine Center, and discovered a love for beef cattle and the reined cow horse.

Outside of Starwood, Julie rides with a local eventing trainer and teaches lessons. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, going to the gym, and participating in her local parish community.

Amanda has joined our East Bay team, bio coming soon!

Meet Our Office Team

Danielle Knotts

Office Administrator, CVT

Danielle grew up in Northwest Oregon, where her passion for horses began through local 4-H groups and her high school equestrian team. She competed in timed gaming events, drill, and team penning with her heart horse, Stoney. With over 23 years of experience in the veterinary industry, Danielle became a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) in 2010 and is an active member of the American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians and the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association. In 2022, she expanded her expertise by completing the Veterinary Practice Management program at Penn Foster. Danielle has a special interest in emergency triage and equine nutrition, always striving to provide the best care for her patients.

Danielle has a particular fondness for Paints, having bred and raised three of her own—Roo, Midori, and Ashkai. Outside of work, Danielle enjoys spending time in nature and with her animals: Bodhi, 10-year-old Australian Cattle Dog; Autumn, 11-year-old smoked tortoiseshell cat; and Midori, 16-year-old Paint mare.

Trisha Chieh

Office Administrator

Born and raised in California, Trisha grew up riding Arabians and Quarter horses. When she left for college to pursue her Human Development and Early Childhood Education degree, she never thought she would get back into equestrian sport. However, in 2000 Trisha's daughter was born, and her first word was "horse." Six years later, Trisha struggled to find a lesson program for her daughter, so she helped build one. Through this process, she managed a full staff, worked as the program manager, taught lessons, and oversaw the care of the horses in a still thriving lesson and training barn in the East Bay. 

Trisha is excited to be working with Starwood and enjoys the challenges of working in a fast-paced office environment and furthering her knowledge of equine medicine.

Emma Cooper

Office Administrator | Veterinary Assistant - East Bay

Emma Cooper is from Detroit, Michigan, where she grew up riding horses. She went to college at Louisiana State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and competing for the LSU Equestrian team. She has a soft spot for off-the-track thoroughbreds, enjoys working with green horses, and has recently started taking dressage lessons in the East Bay Area.
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In her free time, Emma enjoys fostering kittens, reading, and writing. She is excited to be a part of the Starwood Equine team and to pursue a career in the equine veterinary field.