Katy Sullivan, VMD
I’m a recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Horses have always held a special place in my life, and the complex relationship between their physical needs and what we ask of them, is what draws me to equine medicine.
I spent my childhood between Northern California and coastal New Jersey. When I was four I saw the movie “National Velvet” with Elizabeth Taylor and begged my parents for riding lessons. For my fifth birthday my parents found a Western trainer who would take me on; I spent the next few years barrel racing on horses that were much too big for me. I later became interested in English riding and leased a rambunctious pony named Cisco. After my family moved to New Jersey I took a break from riding but continued to work with horses through a local hippotherapy program.
At a young age I decided that I wanted to be a veterinarian. My love for animals and interest in science led me to attend a magnet high school that focused on the health sciences. During my senior year, I was able to shadow a small animal veterinarian who showed me the good, the bad, and the ugly of veterinary medicine. I attended Providence College, a liberal arts college in New England. During my college summers I continued to work with animals, which included assisting in a small animal practice and being an assistant zoo-keeper for giraffes, camels, bison, and other hoofstock animals at the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City, Utah.
I was elated when I got into vet school. That had been the goal for so long that once I was in I found it difficult to choose a direction to go in. I explored opportunities in animal welfare, sleep research in swine, low cost care in the Galapagos Islands, and large animal ambulatory work with the Amish. As I entered by fourth year I was still torn between small and large animal work, knowing that true mixed practices are hard to find. With the mentorship of Penn Vet’s reproduction and field service departments, I decided to pursue an equine internship that happily resulted in a position at Woodside.
When not at work I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading on the beach, traveling, and snuggling my three-legged cat, Henry.
I’m looking forward to the next year of working at WEC, exploring Ashland and the surrounding area, and meeting you and your horses!
Abigail Velting, DVM
Hi! My name is Abby Velting. I’m originally from Michigan and grew up just outside of Detroit. I spent my childhood riding quarter horses and paints whenever I could and competed in western pleasure and barrel racing.
I went to Michigan State University for my undergraduate degree. While there, I studied zoological sciences with aspirations of earning a PhD in Ornithology. I worked in the museum making specimens and helping teach multiple zoology courses.
Toward the end of my studies, I realized how much I missed horses, and decided to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine and never looked back.
I completed four wonderfulyears at Purdue University where I tracked Equine medicine with a focus in lameness and internal medicine. I served as a board member of the equine medicine club and received the Large Animal Surgery and Equine Community Practice Awards during my final year.
After veterinary school, I completed a year -long internship at an equine sports medicine specialty practice in Middleburg Virginia. While there I had the privilege of working with many top equine athletes and helped clients at various competitions including Fair Hill and Rolex.
I am very happy to call Woodside my home this year. I cannot wait to gain further knowledge and competence in all aspects of equine veterinary medicine.
When not practicing veterinary medicine, I enjoy spending time with my two Tennessee Walking horses Prince and Sis, my dog Jessie and my cat Luna. I also enjoy hiking, playing volleyball, and playing video games with my boyfriend Ben.