Doctors:
Jamie Carter, DVM
Dr. Carter is a native of South Carolina, raised on a small Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing farm in Bamberg County. He is a member of AQHA and actively pursues racing Thoroughbreds and pleasure riding as hobbies. His undergraduate education was in animal science at Clemson University, post graduation he worked on advanced studies in equine reproduction. Additionally, he taught reproductive palpitation labs and collegiate equine science classes before being enrolled in veterinary school at Tuskegee University in Alabama. During veterinary school, he worked with Dr. David Harrington in Pelham, Alabama in a racetrack, surgical, and performance horse practice. Then, for 3 years, he worked with Dr. Keith Merritt in Wauconda, IL in an advanced diagnostic performance horse practice with surgery, nuclear medicine, and state of the art equipment. In 2002, he started Southern Equine Service as an ambulatory practice that quickly sprang to a three veterinarian practice with an emphasis on sports medicine and diagnostics. The hospital was completed and the practice now has eleven veterinarians and a full staff. In his private life he enjoys riding horses, hunting, working on his farm, and most of all spending time with his wife, Nancy, and their three children, Ciera, Austin, and Lane. They all enjoy the outdoors and life on their eighty acre farm in northern Aiken County. He is also a member of AVMA, AAEP, and SCAV.
Tom Stinner, DVM
Dr. Stinner grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he began riding pleasure horses at the age of ten and for 25 years he rode and competed reining horses all over the region. He received a BS in Animal Bio Science from Penn State and then moved to Knoxville where he attended veterinary school at the University of Tennessee. He graduated from veterinary school in 1992, with an interest in equine medicine and surgery. Tom began his career in Texas with Dr. Alan Donnell, a renowned western performance horse veterinarian. Dr. Stinner also worked in a surgical practice with boarded surgeon Dr. Paul Dean performing many surgeries, honing his skills to become a well rounded equine veterinarian. In 1995, Tom moved to Aiken and began his equine ambulatory practice. He has primary interests in lameness, sports medicine, and diagnostic imaging. His practice consists of multiple disciplines including hunter/jumpers, race horse stables, and western performance horses. He is also a member of AVMA, AAEP, and ISELP.
Rachel Beetz, DVM
Dr. Beetz grew up in Sunman, Indiana on her family's farm. She helped raise cattle, row crops, hay, and horses. She was active in 4-H as well as raising and showing Paint horses. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Equine Production from the University of Kentucky in 2006. While in Lexington she worked extensively in the equine industry at Thoroughbred sales, stud farms, and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. She attended veterinary school at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana and graduated with her doctorate in 2012. Dr. Beetz was one of two interns at Southern Equine Service for 2013-2014. She was later hired as an associate veterinarian in 2014. Her career interests include sports medicine, reproduction, and general wellness. In her free time she enjoys riding her Paint horse as well as working on the family farm. Dr. Beetz is a member of the AAEP, AVMA, and SCAV.
Lauren Ray, DVM
Dr. Ray grew up in Aiken on a small farm working in the hay fields and riding horses. She began riding at a very early age and later became involved in eventing. Dr. Ray received her Bachelor of Science degree from The University of South Carolina- Aiken in 2007. She attended veterinary school at Tuskegee University in Alabama and graduated with her doctorate in 2014. After veterinary school, Dr. Ray completed a one year internship at Tennessee Equine Hospital before joining Southern Equine Service as an associate. Her career interests are focused on dentistry, general wellness care, integrative care including chiropractic services, and internal medicine. In Dr. Ray’s free time, she enjoys riding her horses, spending time with her husband, and relaxing at the beach. Dr. Ray is a member of the AAEP, IVCA, and AVMA.
Jen Reda, DVM
Dr. Jen Reda was born and raised in Florida and began riding horses at the age of six. She rode both Western and English growing up and competed in local barrel races, in addition to breaking and training young horses. Dr. Reda attended veterinary school at University of Florida; she then completed her internship here with us at Southern Equine Service. After practicing for a while in Florida, Dr. Reda knew she wanted to rejoin Southern Equine and officially returned to our practice as an associate. She loves all aspects of ambulatory medicine including reproduction, lameness, and wellness care. In her spare time, Dr. Reda enjoys traveling and living on Salt Life Farm with her family, horses, and dogs. She is a member of the AAEP and AVMA.
Ben Mitchell, DVM
Dr. Mitchell calls Rowland, NC and Dillon, SC his home. He comes from farming families and has been riding/competing western for many years. He’s the proud owner of two American Quarter Horses, Hemi and Honey, and a Boxer, Phenix. Dr. Mitchell earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and earned his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. Dr. Mitchell has a special interest in ambulatory medicine and lameness. He is a member of AAEP, AVMA, SFT, and AQHA.
Sarah Davis, DVM
Dr. Sarah Davis grew up in Williamsburg, Virginia and began riding horses at a young age. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from the University of South Carolina and attended veterinary school at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. While in vet school, Dr. Davis worked as an ICU technician in the Large Animal Hospital. Her professional interests include sports medicine, podiatry and ambulatory practice. In her spare time, you can find Dr. Davis hiking, fishing and chasing after her crazy dogs. She is a member of the AAEP and AVMA.
Kayla Hufford, DVM
Dr. Kayla Hufford was born and raised in Newport Beach, California where she first started working with horses through 4-H. She received her Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences from Washington State University and went on to spend six months working on a Thoroughbred farm outside of Lexington, Kentucky before starting veterinary school. She attended veterinary school at the University Of Illinois College Of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Hufford’s professional interests include sports medicine, ambulatory practice, and podiatry. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her pets, explore new places, and visit the library.
Sarah Thompson, DVM
Dr. Thompson is a 1998 graduate of the Atlantic Veterinary College, where she tracked heavily in equine studies. Following graduation, she moved to Texas to pursue an internship at Las Colinas Veterinary Clinic, a surgical and internal medicine referral center in Irving, TX. Dr. Thompson continued on as an associate veterinarian at Equiplex Veterinary Hospital in Flower Mound TX until late 2000 where she joined Battenhill Equine (an 8 doctor equine practice) in Saratoga Springs NY. In 2004 Dr. Thompson moved to Aiken SC to pursue her career & started Estrella Equine in 2005. Dr. Thompson's interests include lameness, colic care & reproduction/neonatology.
Intern Veterinarians:
Ashley Bonnette, DVM
Dr. Ashley Bonnette grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts where the beginning of her 20-year hunter-jumper career started and where she owns her two horses, Nasa and Vergil. She received her bachelors in Animal Science magna cum laude from The University of New Hampshire, and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine summa cum laude from The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. During her time at UT, she focused her clinical rotations on equine medicine and worked on the Large Animal Emergency & Critical Care Team. Her professional interests include equine dentistry, internal medicine, & emergency medicine. In her free time Dr. Bonnette enjoys hiking with her dog Bix, riding horses, and spending time with friends & family.
Rachel Friedland, DVM
Dr. Rachel Friedland grew up in Farmington, Connecticut where she began riding at the age of 3 and has owned her horse Oberon for 18 years. She received her bachelors in equine science from The University of New Hampshire and her DVM from The Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Her professional interests include internal medicine, sports medicine and ambulatory practice. When she is not at the clinic you can find Dr. Rachel hiking with her dog Remi, spending time with her family and relaxing at the pool.
Lindsey Pokrzywinski, DVM
Dr. Lindsey Pokrzywinski is from Augusta, GA where she started riding horses with her grandparents, but she has spent the last 13 years in Tennessee. She received her bachelors in Animal Science from The University of Tennessee, where she continued her veterinary education to receive her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. At UT, Dr. Pok worked on the Large Animal Emergency and Critical Care Team and took an equine heavy clinical rotation load. Her professional interests include reproduction, podiatry, and ambulatory practice. When she has spare time. Dr. Pok enjoys going to the beach, reading, shotgun sports, and anything Tennessee sports- Go Vols!
Ashley Potter, DVM
Dr. Ashley Potter grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia where her passion for horses began. She started riding at an early age and enjoys eventing. Dr. Potter attended Virginia Tech where she received her bachelors degree in biochemistry with minors in psychology and equine sciences. She then attended Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine where she received her veterinary degree. Dr. Potter enjoys sports medicine as well as general ambulatory practice. In her free time Dr. Potter enjoys kayaking and hiking with her dog Bonnie and her fiancé Ryan.
