Meet the Veterinary Assistants of Woodside Equine Clinic
Kelsey
Assistant to Dr. David Stanford / Team Leader
Kelsey grew up riding and showing horses in Washington State through her local 4-H program. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology at Randolph-Macon College in 2015. Kelsey previously worked with small animals at a local small animal clinic and joined Woodside in 2018. In her spare time she enjoys exploring new Appalachian trails with her husband and her dogs.
Carissa
Assistant to Dr. Scott Anderson
Carissa grew up in Warsaw, VA and got involved with horses when she was around 8 years old. She graduated from Virginia Tech in May of 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal and Poultry Sciences with a production-business option and an equine and livestock emphasis. During her time at school, Carissa became very involved with the Equine Reproduction Club, where she enjoyed learning about that aspect of the equine world, and of course spending time with the foals. She also took lessons with the western team during her senior year to help get back into riding. In her free time, Carissa enjoys riding her horse and spending time with her friends, family, and dog.
Gracie
Assistant to Dr. Wynnie Angus
Gracie grew up in Spotsylvania, VA and has always had a passion for animals. She became a vegetarian and got into horseback riding as a young teen. Her first job was as an assistant on a foaling farm. It was here that she discovered a love for the medical aspect of the equine world. While working with mares and their foals, she assisted in basic healthcare including ultrasounds, wound cleaning, and the starting of foal training. After that, she spent a year working hard at her trainer’s farm doing barn management and training of all different types of horses, both under saddle and groundwork. In her free time, she enjoys barrel racing and poles, art, snuggling her cats, playing with her emotional support dog Athena, keeping up with multiple planted fish tanks and her turtle Polly! Personally, and professionally she is always surrounded by animals and hopes to someday have a farm or rescue of her own.
Benaiah
Assistant to Dr. Cole Kourgelis
Photo and bio coming soon!
Mackenzie
Assistant to Dr. Charlotte Tate
Photo and bio coming soon!
Katya
Assistant to Dr. Catherine Côté & Hospital Assistant
Katya is originally from Russia and came to the United States at the age of seven. She began taking riding lessons shortly after and got her first horse when she was eleven. Katya graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a bachelor’s degree in Biology in 2021 and began working in an environmental lab. She has now returned to the field of veterinary medicine as that is where her true interest lies. In her free time, she enjoys riding her mare, camping, and spending time with her two cats.
Laine
Assistant to Dr. Catherine Côté & Hospital Assistant
Laine, born in Virginia, learned to ride in middle school while living with her family in Brazil. Upon returning to Richmond, she continued riding and working at Tuckahoe Plantation for 6 years. Laine graduated from Duke University in 2022 with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and was an active member of the equestrian team, serving as president for two years. While at Duke, she researched genetic therapies for canine glycogen storage disorder with the Koeberl lab and researched service dog behavioral patterns in the Duke Puppy Kindergarten. An aspiring equine veterinarian, Laine plans to apply to vet schools in the coming years. Outside of work, Laine enjoys spending time at Lake Gaston as well as with family, her cat Zoe, and dog Maggie Mae.
Christine
Hospital Assistant / Team Leader
Christine grew up in Haymarket Virginia. After volunteering at a therapeutic riding center, she began riding at a local barn. There she trained in Dressage and discovered her love of caring for horses. Through high school and college, she spent her summers teaching riding camps and training school horses. She graduated from James Madison University in 2018 with her Bachelor’s in Biology. Post-graduation, she taught at a riding camp in Harrisonburg. Recently, she and her husband relocated to the Richmond area. In her spare time, she enjoys painting and spending time with her husband, 2 cats, and chinchilla.
Katrina
Hospital Assistant
Katrina grew up on a farm in Maryland, where she took care of a herd of horses as well as other livestock. She got started in veterinary medicine at a small animal emergency clinic. In her spare time she enjoys painting, reading, exploring historic places, and the occasional hike.
Mikki
Hospital Assistant
Mikki, originally from Wisconsin, grew up loving animals. After attending high school in Georgia, she moved to Virginia in 2018 and discovered her love for horses while volunteering at a local rescue. She is now a part of the rescue management team and helps educate new volunteers. Mikki started on the barn crew at Woodside in 2023 and now works as an in-house assistant. Mikki’s other interests include nutrition, fitness and ASL.
Ted
Hospital Assistant
Bio coming soon
Anna
Hospital Assistant
Anna grew up in Virginia riding Hunters and trail riding. As an adult she has enjoyed dressage and jumpers. Anna enjoys specifically working with young and green horses and helping them reach their potential.
Shelly
Hospital Assistant
Bio and Picture coming soon!