OUR DOCTORS

Dr. Howard, a Kentucky native, is a 1989 graduate of Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating veterinary school, he completed a one year internship in equine medicine and surgery at the University of Missouri. He continued his education at Colorado State University, completing a three-year large animal surgical residency and receiving his masters degree in 1993. In 1994 he became board certified in equine surgery by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.  After completing his residency and board certification, Dr. Howard remained at Colorado State University where he conducted research into equine joint disease, earning his PhD in 1997. Dr. Howard worked as a faculty clinician at the Virginia-Maryland College of  Veterinary Medicine from 1996-2003. He returned to the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2003, where he worked as a faculty equine surgeon and was appointed as the Director of the E. Paige Laurie Endowed Program in Equine Lameness. Dr. Howard left Missouri and joined the Arizona Equine team in 2005. He enjoys all types of orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, as well as diagnosing and treating equine lameness. Outside of work, you can find Dr. Howard on his bike or on a run with his wife Patti.

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Dr. Robinson was born and raised in Nebraska on a quarter horse ranch. She completed her undergraduate studies at Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska. She earned her DVM from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. Dr. Robinson completed an internship at Arizona Equine in 2000, and remained a part of the team as an associate veterinarian for 4 years. In 2004, she became a partner at Arizona Equine. Her interests include preventative and internal medicine, dentistry, reproduction and lameness. Dr. Robinson became certified in equine acupuncture in 2003. Both her father, Charlie Hill, and her late husband, Jason Robinson, were farriers. Because of this, Dr. Robinson especially enjoys working with farriers as part of a collaborative team to provide the best quality care to her equine patients. Outside of work, the Robinson household can be found at all types of sports games. Her son, Ty, plays football for the University of Nebraska Lincoln, and her daughter Tanner plays volleyball for Scottsdale Community College. When not at ball games, Dr. Robinson can be found working out or riding horses with her father. She also loves spoiling her newborn grandson that her son Truitt gave her in September 2024. 

Dr. Stedman is originally from British Columbia, Canada where she grew up riding hunter and jumper horses. She completed her undergraduate degree in biology at Cornell University where she studied stress hormones in song birds. She then went on to earn her DVM from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2019. Following graduation, Dr. Stedman completed a one-year internship at the Equine Medical Center of Ocala in 2020, and an additional one-year internship in equine surgery at Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists in 2021. She continued her education at Kansas State University where she completed a three-year equine surgical residency in the spring of 2024. She also earned her master's degree at Kansas State University where her research has focused on the use of magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the equine stifle. Dr. Stedman is currently in the process of obtaining board certification in equine surgery. Outside of work, Dr. Stedman enjoys running, baking, reading and playing the cello. 

Dr. Holden was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco in Mexico and moved to Gilbert, Arizona when she was 8 years old. She is fluent in both Spanish and English, and is great resource for our Spanish-speaking clients. Dr. Holden attended Arizona State University for her bachelor's degree. While in school, she worked as a veterinary technician here at Arizona Equine. She then went on to earn her DVM from Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. Dr. Holden returned to Arizona Equine where she completed a one-year internship and then stayed on as an associate veterinarian. Dr. Holden's particular interests are in equine dentistry, reproduction, and preventative medicine. In her free time, you can find Dr. Holden outdoors with her husband, Andrew and their son, Trace. Together they enjoy doing long distance/overnight trail riding, camping, off-roading and boating. They have 2 horses, 4 dogs, 1 cat and many chickens at their mini-farm in Mesa. 

Dr. Kafesjian (Dr. Kelsey) was born and raised in Bluffdale, Utah where her family has paint and quarter horses. She grew up riding and showing her quarter horse Scotty in local 4H events. In high school she competed nationally in APHA all-around events with her paint horse, Cheese. Dr. Kafesjian attended Colorado State University for her undergraduate degree in Equine Science. She remained in Colorado and went on to earn her DVM from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2022. While in veterinary school, she completed an externship at Arizona Equine. After graduation, she returned to Arizona Equine as an intern and stayed on as an associate veterinarian after completing her one-year internship. Dr. Kafesjian's professional interests include preventative care, internal and neonatal medicine, wound care and soft tissue surgery. Outside of work, Dr. Kafesjian spends her time on horseback or hiking in the Superstitions. She also is a violist in the Gilbert Symphony Orchestra, and loves spoiling her two cats Astrid and Boots. 

Dr. Benally was born in Dilkon, AZ on the Navajo reservation. She grew up showing sheep, goats and horses in her local 4H chapter, as well as training and working with carriage horses. Dr. Benally attended the University of Arizona for her bachelor's degree in vet science. She then went on to earn her DVM as a member of the inaugural class at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine in 2023. After graduation, Dr. Benally came to Arizona Equine to complete a one year internship. During her internship, she decided to stay on as a fellow for an additional year to gain even more experience and hone her skills. After her internship, Dr. Benally is interested in either pursuing a surgical residency or returning home to the reservation to open her own practice. Dr. Benally's professional interests include neonatal and internal medicine, reproduction, lameness and surgery. Outside of work, Dr. Benally enjoys fishing, riding her 2 horses, sewing, riding her one wheel and helping her family on their cattle ranch. 

Dr. Cory Holden was born and raised in Prescott, Arizona. He attended Arizona State University and the Mayo Clinic for his bachelor's and master's degrees in the science of health care delivery. He then worked as a medical director in human medicine before returning to school to pursue his DVM. He earned his DVM from the University of Arizona in 2024. Dr. Holden's professional interests include orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, as well as dentistry. Dr. Holden's long term career goals are to become an equine surgeon, and he hopes to apply for residency at the end of his internship. Outside of work, Dr. Holden enjoys spending time with his wife (who is also a veterinarian in mixed animal medicine) and his dog and 2 cats. He is also working towards obtaining his pilot's license. When not flying planes, you can find him riding his motorcycle. 

Dr. Leith was born in New Jersey and grew up in California. She raises and competes Thoroughbreds and Warmbloods in amateur hunter classes. Dr. Leith earned her DVM from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in 1988. She has a masters degree in reproductive physiology, and is also board certified in equine practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. Dr. Leith has been with Arizona Equine since 1988. She now is part-time faculty at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine, and will consult with our veterinarians regarding challenging reproduction cases.  

Dr. Taylor was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was a lifelong equestrian - he got his first horse, a palomino named "Goldie", when he was just nine years old. Dr. Taylor completed his undergraduate studies at Louisiana State University. He remained in Louisiana and earned his DVM from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine in 1989 at the top of his class. He then went on to complete an internship in equine surgery and lameness at the University of Missouri in 1990. During this internship, Dr. Taylor developed a passion for equine surgery and sports medicine. He completed a three-year equine surgical residency at the University of California - Davis in 1993. In 1995 he became board certified in equine surgery by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Dr. Taylor joined Arizona Equine in 1993 and purchased the practice along with Dr. Gayle Leith in 1996. Dr. Taylor remained at Arizona Equine as a surgeon and wonderful mentor up until his passing in 2022. Dr. Taylor worked to transform Arizona Equine into the practice it is today, and his presence is still missed by all of us each day. 

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Rest in Peace: 3/18/1964 - 5/14/2022