Veterinarians

John Nolan
Veterinarian

Dr. Nolan grew up in northern Virginia. His love of horses began as a young teenager when he purchased his first horse to train and compete in endurance and competitive trail rides. As a high school student, he became interested in a career in Farriery. After high school he attended the North Texas Horseshoeing Institute and began a business in northern Virginia and the Blacksburg area while studying at Virginia Tech. Dr. Nolan was a practicing farrier for over nine years before starting his career in veterinary medicine. He has enjoyed and valued the skills and principles of horseshoeing, while integrating this knowledge with veterinary medicine.

Dr. Nolan earned his doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the Virginia - Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. His career in equine practice began with an internship at an equine referral center, Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center, in Los Olivos, California. There, he trained with specialists in the fields of lameness, diagnostic imaging, surgery and internal medicine. He went on to work at the Delaware Equine Center in Cochranville, Pennsylvania. His training in sports medicine continued under the supervision of specialists in lameness, surgery and internal medicine. In 1993, he returned to Virginia to work at the Middleburg Equine Clinic.

Dr. Nolan founded The Piedmont Equine Practice, Inc. in 1996. In 1998, he became certified in Animal Chiropractic. In 2004, Dr Nolan was an alternate treating veterinarian for the United States Equestrian Federation Three Day Event Team. In 2005, Dr. Nolan was an attending treating veterinarian at the World Cup Show Jumping Finals. His areas of special interest are sports medicine, lameness, diagnostic imaging and chiropractic medicine. Dr Nolan has a strong interest in practice management.

Dr. Nolan is married to Dr. Renee Nolan, a veterinarian who practices small animal medicine in Warrenton, Virginia. They have two sons, Sam and Abe. They live on a small farm in Markham, Virginia where they enjoy small-scale organic farming. Dr. Nolan spends his free time going to his kids' sporting events and enjoying outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, and hiking.

Joe Davis
Veterinarian

At the age of six, Dr. Davis was put up on his first horse and it seemed a natural place to stay. Horses have been a significant factor in his life ever since—as a rider, competitor in dressage and combined training, and most recently as a pony club father.

Dr. Davis moved to Warrenton at the age of 13 and has considered it home ever since. He graduated from Fauquier High School in 1982 and then from The College of William and Mary in 1987 with a major in English. He then went right into veterinary school at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in the class of 1991.

After working in Maryland for three years Dr. Davis moved back to Warrenton, and in 1997 joined The Piedmont Equine Practice. Dr. Davis has a special interest in performance horse medicine, lameness, and chiropractic care. Dr. Davis is an FEI accredited veterinarian, and has served as the Veterinary Delegate at a number of two-day and three-day events. He also has interest in sailing, running and fixing up his 200 year old house and horse farm. His wife, Pam, is a small animal veterinarian and they have two daughters, Hayley and Kristina.

Sean Bowman
Veterinarian

Dr. Bowman was born and raised in Loudoun County, Virginia. He continues to live there with his wife Jean and son Ian. The opportunity to return home was a big factor in Dr. Bowman's decision to start a solo practice after graduation from the VMRCVM in 1995. In 1998 he merged with Piedmont Equine Practice.

Today as a part of PEP Dr. Bowman has a practice that is centered around sports medicine. He splits his time between sport horses and race horses. In 2001, he studied acupuncture at the Chi Institute in Gainesville, Florida. He has found acupuncture to be a useful tool in helping horses to feel and perform better.

If he won the lottery Dr. Bowman would still work, because he truly loves equine medicine. However, he would turn the renovations on his nineteenth-century farmhouse over to someone else, leaving himself more free time to train bird dogs, fish with his son, and run with his wife.

Paul Anikis
Veterinarian

Dr. Anikis grew up in Howard County, Maryland with an interest in animals of all kinds starting with falconry at the age of ten. He attended the University of Maryland at College Park with a dual major in biochemistry and microbiology and received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Virginia Tech. It was during his senior year at Virginia Tech that he developed a strong interest in equine medicine and surgery.

Dr. Anikis is a partner in The Piedmont Equine Practice, where his primary interest has been in the diagnosis and treatment of lameness problems in horses. He developed a special interest in hoof problems and laminitis and learned to shoe horses while working in a mixed animal practice in Loudoun County, Virginia for 10 years.

Dr. Anikis has been a large animal consultant to the Washington National Zoo since 1996, treating elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffe, and zebra. He served as a treatment veterinarian at the 2005 FEI World Cup Final for dressage in Las Vegas, Nevada, at numerous steeplechase races and 3-day events. Dr. Anikis also works as an emergency veterinarian to the Ringling Brothers Circus.

Dr. Anikis regularly attends state-of-the-art continuing education seminars where he enjoys collaborating with colleagues. His main practice is in Northern Virginia, but he also works with clients in Europe and Florida. An accomplished rock climber and ice climber, his hobbies include skiing, running, fishing, and growing orchids. Dr. Anikis lives in Delaplane, Virginia with his wife, Doerte–a veterinarian and accomplished rider and their two sons, Timothy and Erik.

Paul Diehl
Veterinarian

Dr. Paul Diehl grew up in Strasburg, Virginia where he acquired his first horse at the age of 11. As a teenager his family moved to Loudoun County which has remained his home ever since. Dr. Diehl received his bachelor degree in biology from Virginia Tech and earned his veterinary degree from Auburn University in 1983.

Paul's veterinary career started at Mayo and Rofe Equine Clinic in 1984 where his practice focused on broodmares, race horses, foxhunters, eventers and pleasure horses. In 2003, he joined The Piedmont Equine Practice, here he focuses on reproduction, his area of special interest, which has allowed him to pursue embryo recovery and transfer procedures. Dr. Diehl continues to further his education in lameness and detailed ultrasound of the equine limb.

Dr. Diehl has a daughter, Kelsie an avid rider, and a son, Paul active in several baseball leagues. Dr. Diehl's hobbies include triathlons, golf, fishing, and scuba diving. In 2004, Paul completed the Ironman Competition in New Zealand.

Alexis Theiss
Veterinarian

Alexis was born and raised in the McLean/Great Falls area with three sisters and a variety of pets from horses to boa constrictors to exotic parrots. There she learned to ride horses at a young age, and competed on the local show circuit.  Dr. Theiss participated with the local pony club and taught children to ride in summer camps for several years.  Dr. Theiss graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Biology before attending the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, where she received her DVM in 2004.

In addition to her regular ambulatory equine practice, Dr. Theiss' special interest centers around reproduction, foals and emergency medicine. Dr. Theiss is currently working towards a certification in traditional Chinese equine acupuncture, since her completion of the Chi Institute in 2009.  Current horse interests involve riding out with friends and the occasional foxhunting excursion. Her hobbies include a toucan named Marteen, several planted aquariums, dart frogs, scuba diving and a grey Trakehner model mare named Teya.

Dr. Theiss lives in Linden, Virginia with her husband Dave, a pilot, daughter Kailli and an assortment of beloved pets.

Sarah Dukti
Veterinary Surgeon and Critical Care Specialist

Dr. Sarah Dukti DACVS, DACVECC joined The Piedmont Equine Practice on June 1, 2011. Dr. Dukti is supporting the expansion of surgery, emergency and critical care, and other services offered by the practice, and will be instrumental in the continued growth of Piedmont Equine.

Dr. Dukti is well established as an equine surgeon and emergency and critical care specialist and has the honor of being a Large Animal Diplomat of both the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, currently the only veterinarian to hold that title in the state of Virginia.  She received her veterinary training at the Ohio State University, followed by an internship at Rood and Riddle in Lexington, Ky and both surgery and critical care residencies at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center. Bringing a wide spectrum of experience to the practice, Dr. Dukti has performed surgery and managed emergency critical care cases in both private practice and in a university setting. During that time, Dr. Dukti has been published in veterinary journals, presented at national meetings, trained veterinary students, interns, and residents, and received numerous teaching awards and recognition.

Sarah and her husband, Daniel live in Leesburg, VA.

David Johnson
Veterinarian

Dr. David Johnson has been associated with The Piedmont Equine Practice since 2002. He earned degrees in Equine Science and Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University.  Upon graduation in 1992, Dr. Johnson operated a solo equine practice for 6 years.

Attracted by the brisk eventing community around Middleburg,  Dr. Johnson moved to Virginia in 1998.  At that time he began to shift his professional focus from general medicine towards a practice limited to equine dentistry.  He has devoted all of the continuing education hours required for veterinary licensure to the advancement of his skill and knowledge in this field.

Outside of work, Dr. Johnson spends most of his time training event horses but also enjoys scuba diving and tinkering with all things mechanical.  Dr. Johnson and his wife Katy live in Upperville with their young daughter, Reagan. 

Amy Polkes
Veterinarian

A native of Long Island, Dr. Amy Polkes grew up around animals. After graduating from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1993, she did a one year internship in equine medicine and surgery at Fox Run Equine Center. She then spent 3 years in general equine practice in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Dr. Polkes then completed a 3 year residency in large animal medicine at the University of Florida, and is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Her specialty practice focuses on advanced diagnostics for cardiac, respiratory and gastrointestinal problems. She has been practicing in Maryland since 2000 and recently has expanded to join our practice in Virginia.

Dr. Polkes lives in Germantown, Maryland with her husband, Keith and their two young children, Marisa and Finn. Keith is a small animal veterinarian at a specialty practice in Gaithersburg, MD. In her free time she enjoys riding her horse, kickboxing, and spending time with her husband and children.

Christine Dainis-Adams
Veterinarian

Dr. Chris Dainis-Adams received her DVM degree from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1989. She completed an internship at Hagyard, Davidson and McGee in Lexington, KY, in 1990 and practiced with Hagyard until 2000. After moving to Virginia and starting a family, Dr. Dainis-Adams served as Executive Editor for Compendium's Standards of Care- Equine Diagnosis and Treatment and as a consultant for Veterinary Learning Systems, developing and lecturing at a series of of national CE seminars for veterinary technichians. In 2003, she returned to clinical practice, and has been with The Piedmont Equine Practice since 2006. Her focus is primarily reproduction, infertility, and pediatrics as well as routine and preventative health care.  Shehas served on the Board of Directors of the AAEP, as member of the AAEP's Equine Welfare and Horse Shows committees, and on the Drugs and Medications and Veterinary Committees of the United States Equestrian Federation.

Chris lives in Waterford with her husband, Norris, and son Darby.

Ashley Hamilton
Veterinarian

Ashley Hamilton grew up on a small farm in Florida where she began riding before she could even walk. After showing Arabians for many years, she switched to hunter/jumpers to ride for the equestrian team at the University of Florida and worked at a jumper farm in Ocala. She received undergraduate degrees in Spanish and Animal Sciences and decided to remain in Gainesville to attend veterinary school from 2006-2010. She then completed a rotating hospital internship at Rood and Riddle Equine Practice in Lexington, KY. Ashley has a special interest in surgery and anesthesia and is currently doing a Surgical and Critical Care Fellowship at Piedmont. In her free time, she enjoys riding, spending time with her dog Boxster and keeping up with college football (Go Gators!).

Chelsea Luedke
Intern

Chelsea grew up in Texas and the suburbs of Chicago where she started showing hunters and equitation. She moved to Parker, Colorado during her high school years and discovered eventing and was immediately hooked. Chelsea was an active member of Pony Club and graduated as an HA and then went on to compete with the Area IX Young Rider's team at two championships on her horse San Francisco Bay. Chelsea earned her bachelor's in Biochemistry and Microbiology from Colorado State University in 2006. She continued riding at the CCI** level with Revere Road until she entered veterinary school at Colorado State University in 2007. Chelsea was involved in numerous equine orthopaedic research projects through the Orthopaedic Research Center at CSU and gained valuable experience working in their surgery program. Chelsea was able to ride and show at the lower levels of eventing and ran a small boarding barn during veterinary school. Chelsea attended CSU's Medical Acupuncture for Veterinarians course and is a certified acupuncturist and enjoys working on all types of equine ailments using acupuncture.

Chelsea has a special interest in sport horse medicine, lameness and imaging. She would like to someday work as an FEI veterinarian and travel to international shows. Her husband is also an equine veterinarian and is practicing in Boise, Idaho. They plan to move back home to Colorado in the next few years. Together they enjoy golfing, travelling and spending time with their dogs Max and Tica.

Erin Kinney
Intern

Dr. Erin Kinney grew up in the small coastal town of Cumberland, Maine. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Maine in Orono, after which she obtained her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Kinney graduated in 2011 with her DVM, and is excited to be pursuing advanced training at The Piedmont Equine Practice. Her special interests include lameness, reproduction, anesthesia, and emergency medicine. After completing her internship, Dr. Kinney hopes to pursue a career in equine general practice.

In her spare time, Dr. Kinney enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing volleyball and tennis, and riding her "spirited" chestnut mare, Silkie. Erin is also an avid fan of New England sports teams, especially the Patriots!

Moira Nusbaum
Graduated Intern

Dr. Moira Nusbaum grew up in Maryland on a small horse farm. Throughout high school she showed in the hunters and traveled most of the east coast with her grey gelding "Impressions", nicknamed Damien for his sweet disposition. After receiving her bachelor of science degree from West Chester University in PA, she worked for a year as a technician at the Equine Medical Center in Leesburg VA. Next Dr. Nusbaum attended Virginia Tech for veterinary school and worked as a technician in the Large Animal Hospital throughout all four years. While at school she was active in the AVMA, VBMA and AAEP organizations and rode her accident prone horse Lou-Lou whenever time allowed.

Dr. Nusbaum enjoys spending time with her husband and high-school sweetheart, Stinson and their two trouble-making dogs, PJ and Vinny. She is looking forward to preparing Lou-Lou to event in the next year. Moira's professional interests include equine medicine, foals and anesthesia.

Update on Moira- she  has opened her own veterinary practice, PenMar Equine Practice in Hagerstown, Maryland. Her website is www.penmarequine.com.  We wish her all the best!

Anna Allen
Graduated Intern

Dr. Anna Allen grew up in Chapel Hill, NC and began riding horses at the age of 6. She enjoyed competing in hunter jumper shows until graduating from high school when she bravely left the south for snowy New England. Dr. Allen attended Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA and competed on the Varsity Huntseat Equitation Team. After graduation, she moved back to North Carolina and worked for two years for small animal veterinarians and assisted with research at the veterinary school at NC State. She graduated from the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine in May 2010 and is very excited to be in Virginia at the Piedmont Equine Practice for the next year! She enjoys going out to farms to meet horses and clients and is particularly interested in lameness work and ophthalmology. In her free time Dr. Allen likes to travel and read. She has a passion for art and art history. She is also a diehard college basketball fan (Go Tar Heels!).

Update on Anna- she is currently working on her Master's Degree in Public Health in North Carolina.

Erin Davis
Graduated Intern

Dr. Erin Davis was raised in Clarke County, Virginia on her family’s horse and cattle farm. She grew up as an avid pony clubber with the Blue Ridge Hunt Pony Club, and as a foxhunter with the Blue Ridge Hunt. Erin also competed in many Area II events before going off to college in 2000. After receiving her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Biology from Colorado College in 2003, she spent time as a working student at a Long Island, NY dressage facility. Erin then moved back to Virginia in 2004 to begin employment as a large animal technician at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and pursued her veterinary degree.

She graduated with her DVM in May 2009, and is excited to now be an intern at The Piedmont Equine Practice. Erin is interested in equine ambulatory and emergency care, sports medicine, and the incorporation of traditional eastern medicine. She enjoys spending time with her fiancé Ian, Abyssinian cat Dexter, and Thoroughbred gelding Finely. Erin is also a die-hard Redskins and Hokie football fan, and is a strong supporter of Caps hockey.

Update on Erin- She is currently employed as a mixed animal associate veterinarian with Shenandoah Animal Hospital in Woodstock and Strasburg, VA. She and Ian were  married on May 12th, 2012 in Clarke County, and their new hobby is motorcycling together!  Best of luck to them!

Mallory Willkom
Graduated Intern

 Dr. Mallory Willkom is originally from Chippewa Falls, WI, where she grew up showing in the hunter and equitation divisions. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire for three years with a major in Environmental and Public Health before being accepted into the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Veterinary Medicine. She has a special interest in lameness and imaging, and plans to pursue a career in equine private practice next year. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, riding, running, watching Badger football, and exploring Virginia.
 

Update on Mallory- she is currently working as a small animal veterinarian at Banfield Pet Hospital in Gainesville, VA.

Shannon Donoho
Graduated Intern

Dr. Shannon “Boo” Donoho grew up in Raleigh, NC, where her family enjoyed foxhunting and eventing their horses. She received her bachelor’s degree from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her internship at The Piedmont Equine Practice and has stayed on as an associate veterinarian. In her free time, she enjoys eventing her Thoroughbred gelding, as well as showing her dogs in obedience and conformation. Boo has an interest in equine orthopedics, lameness, and surgery.

Update on Boo- she is currently working at Cedarville Veterinary Clinic in Front Royal.

 

Jen Lowry
Graduated Intern

Dr. Jen Lowry attended veterinary school at NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She gained valuable experience working as an equine ICU technician in the university hospital during four years of vet school. Dr. Lowry also worked with reproductive specialists and conducted clinical research on the estrous cycle of the mare.

After completing a one-year internship at Piedmont Equine, Dr. Lowry moved to California where she plans to work in equine private practice.

Update on Jen- she is currently an Associate Equine Veterinarian at Pine Bush Equine in Pine Bush, NY.

Shelly Whitehurst
Graduated Intern

Dr. Shelly Whitehurst grew up in Roanoke, VA. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in biology from the College of William and Mary, after which she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. She worked as an ICU technician in the large animal hospital both before and during vet school. Her veterinary interests include emergency medicine, ophthalmology and lameness. In her spare time, she enjoys running, weightlifting, and trail riding. After her internship, she would like to pursue a career in equine private practice.

Update on Shelly- she is currently working as an Associate Veterinarian at Highland Animal Hospital in Fayetteville, NC.

Heather Damico
Graduated Intern

Heather has successfully graduated from the PEP internship program and gone to Buffalo Equine and Large Animal Clinic in Buffalo, MN. Congratulations Heather! Dr. Heather Damico grew up near Duluth, Minnesota, where she enjoyed a variety of riding disciplines from Pony Club to western pleasure. Following graduation from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in May 2007, she joined The Piedmont Equine Practice for a one year internship.

Update on Heather- she is working at Buffalo Equine and Large Animal Hospital in Buffalo, MN. She and her husband, Tony have a son, Zac.