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.
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.
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. |
ANDRES ACEVES
Veterinary AssistantAndres graduated from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo where he received a BS in Animal Science with an emphasis on comparative animal nutrition. In college and beyond, Andres has been passionate and eager to expand his knowledge in hindgut species husbandry and nutrition. He interned in the elephant care program at the Oakland Zoo and researched fiber diets in tortoises before working as a veterinary assistant for a small animal hospital. Andres discovered his passion for horses during college when he had the opportunity to study equine nutrition and assist with equine medical procedures on campus.
Andres spent his childhood between the Mendocino Coast, and Cazadero, California where he helped raise his family's water buffalo and belted galloway cattle. These experiences helped shape and foster his love for animals. Outside of work, Andres spends his most fulfilling moments in life hiking with his dog, mountain biking, and spending time with friends and family. You will most likely find Andres grabbing a bite to eat at his favorite Thai or sushi restaurant. Andres is delighted to be a member of the Starwood Equine Team! |
ALEXANDRA BRETZ
Veterinary AssistantAlexandra 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. |
ADDY THOMAS
Veterinary AssistantGrowing up in the Bay Area, Addy started riding at a very young age. Her hobby quickly turned into a passion that grew into career aspirations. Addy attended The University of Montana Western, where she received her Bachelors of Science in Natural Horsemanship with a minor in Business Management. Addy embraced the program, which required hands-on experience training horses combined with the curriculum covering equine science, care, and management.
Addy is a certified CHA instructor and enjoys riding and instructing both English and Western disciplines in her spare time. Addy also enjoys travel, all outdoor activities as well as spending time with family and friends. She really enjoys being a member of the Starwood Equine team. |
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 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.
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.