Our Team

Mindy Smith, DVM, cVMA

Dr. Mindy Smith, originally from a small fishing town in Alaska, developed an interest in horses there despite the island having only one pony.  She moved to California to pursue her veterinary education, where she graduated from Pacific Union College with a Bachelor’s degree in biology.  She then attended University of California, Davis, earning her doctor of veterinary medicine in 2016.  While in vet school, she worked as a large animal critical care technician in the teaching hospital, participated in pain management research in horses, and served as president of the student chapters of the AAEP and  the Society for Theriogenology.  She completed an internship in Equine Field Service at Colorado State University, where she published research on field anesthesia in horses and continued to develop her interest in teaching. Dr. Smith began working at Iron Horse Equine in 2017, and has been the practice owner since 2021.

Dr. Smith practices all aspects of general equine medicine but has a special passion for sports medicine, rehabilitation and integrative medicine, with certification in veterinary acupuncture (cVMA) and veterinary chiropractic.  Her other professional interests include practice management, speaking at conferences and teaching both medicine and business topics. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two children, her greyhounds and her off track thoroughbred.

Email Dr. Smith: drsmith@ironhorseequine.net

Stacy Whitton, DVM

Dr. Stacy Whitton grew up in Franktown, Colorado, where she rode on the local hunter circuit before joining Pony Club and starting to event.  Dr. Whitton obtained her Bachelor’s in biochemistry from the University of Colorado at Boulder.  During a hiatus from her studies, an introduction to disaster response while serving with AmeriCorps*NCCC encouraged her to further pursue veterinary medicine.  She attended Bel-Rea Institute, practiced as a CVT in the Denver area for 3 years then obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Illinois in 2015.  While there, she was involved in critical care and equine neonatal research.  After completing an internship at Equine Medical Center of Ocala in Florida, she returned to Colorado and joined the team at Iron Horse Equine Medical & Surgical Services in 2016.  Dr. Whitton attended Options for Animals College of Animal Chiropractic and has been certified by the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association since 2018.

Dr. Whitton loves a little bit of all things equine medicine; however, her primary interests include lameness, internal medicine and equine welfare.  She is especially interested in keeping an equine athlete performing at its peak and brings a whole horse approach to performance.  She is currently pursuing her ABVP Board Certification in Equine Practice as well as advancing her knowledge and skills in rehabilitation.  In addition to her work in equine welfare, Dr. Whitton continues to assist with veterinary emergency response and disaster relief.  She rides whenever she can, bringing along her own Right Horse Initiative young horse, Tricycle.  She can often be found enjoying the Colorado sunshine and outdoors with her scruffy copilot, Rue Yeti, family and friends.

Email Dr. Whitton: drwhitton@ironhorseequine.net

Jesha Marcy-Quay, DVM

Dr. Jesha Marcy-Quay grew up in Michigan, riding and competing in eventing, dressage, and jumpers. Dr.Marcy-Quay received a Bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology from Albion College before moving to Tennessee to ride and train event horses on a professional level. During this time, she realized that along with her passion for riding, she was committed to the care and treatment of equine athletes. She then obtained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from University of Tennessee. While in vet school, Dr. Marcy-Quay worked as a large animal emergency and critical care technician in the teaching hospital as well as acting as treasurer for the student chapter of the AAEP, leading a research study on the interaction of laminitis and intra-articular corticosteroid administration in horses, and working for
USEF as a drug testing technician. Upon graduation Dr. Marcy-Quay was awarded the University of Tennessee Faculty Award for Excellence in Equine Medicine and Surgery. She went on to complete an internship at The Piedmont Equine Practice in Virginia before moving to Colorado to join the team at Iron Horse Equine Medical & Surgical Services.

Dr. Marcy-Quay loves all aspects of equine practice, most especially preventative care, lameness, and emergency medicine. She enjoys everything from keeping equine athletes performing their best to helping retired horses enjoy their golden years. Outside of work, she can be found riding her two event horses, distance running, and hiking in the mountains.

Email Dr. Marcy-Quay: drquay@ironhorseequine.net

Alyssa Castillo, DVM

Originally from San Antonio, Texas, she grew up in a large city without much exposure to horses. However, her passion for working with horses led her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with a Certificate in Equine Science at Texas A&M University. During her time there, she immersed herself in the Equine Industry, working with the Women’s Equestrian Team and caring for over 70 horses, which sparked her interest in equine veterinary medicine. After completing her undergraduate degree in 2017, Dr. Alyssa took a gap year and worked as an Equestrian Director at a kid’s camp, teaching people of all ages how to ride English and Western. She then went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University in 2022, completing her clinical year at Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation, she pursued an internship at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga Springs, NY. Dr. Alyssa’s dream of living in Colorado came true when she discovered a job posting at Iron Horse Equine Veterinary Care. After meeting the team and visiting Colorado, she knew it was the right fit for her. Her husband’s medical residency in Memphis, TN, will require her to split her time between Colorado and Tennessee for a few years, with the ultimate goal of settling in Colorado full-time. Her passion for veterinary medicine and working with animals has been ingrained in her since childhood. Her love for equine reproductive medicine developed during her undergraduate research projects, and she enjoys both reproductive medicine and general medicine in her practice. Dr. Alyssa also has a keen interest in equine general anesthesia and finds fulfillment in client education.

Outside of work, Dr. Alyssa is happily married to her high-school sweetheart, Aaron. They tied the knot in June 2022, just before celebrating their 10-year anniversary. In their free time, they enjoy hiking and outdoor activities with their dog, Paisley (a Catahoula), as well as relaxing at home watching shows with their dog and their fat cat, Penelope.

Evette Dewey, CVT

Evette is from a small town in California called Gualala. She moved to Colorado to attend school at Bel-Rea Institute for Veterinary technician training. Evette graduated in March 2016 with a strong desire to work in the equine field. Since joining Iron Horse Equine at the end of 2016, she has thoroughly enjoyed going out on field calls and running the lab at the clinic.

Evette has always had a passion for horses and has owned four of her own. She also is involved with a rescue in California that cares for off the track thoroughbreds. She loves training in dressage and jumpers, but trail rides fairly regularly, too. In her free time, she likes hanging out at her barn and hiking with her husband and yellow lab, Cali.

Chelsea Dart, CVT

Chelsea, as a military brat, has lived all over. When her parents were stationed in Colorado Springs, she fell in love with the Colorado lifestyle. She attended Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Aurora, graduating December 2020. She knew from the beginning that her calling was in the equine field of medicine. She joined Iron Horse Equine at the end of 2020 and thoroughly adores the entire team and the ambulatory services.

Chelsea grew up in Pony Club and volunteered at Colorado Horse Rescue in Longmont for years. While she hasn’t been active in the riding world since the intercollegiate team in her undergrad years, she is grateful for the opportunities to be constantly surrounded by wonderful client horses. In her free time, she loves to go hiking and traveling with her husband Scott and her fur baby, Redding.

Masen Loeks, Veterinarian Assistant

Masen has been a veterinary assistant at Iron Horse Equine since May of 2022. She attended high school in Elizabeth and she decided to start working in this field because she’s always been interested in the science of animals. Her favorite thing about working with animals is spending enough time with them to learn each of their unique personalities and quirks. When she saw her first surgery, her interest was piqued and she knew from that point forward that she wanted to pursue a career in this field.

Masen’s family is her support team and she loves them immensely. Her furry family consists of her two dogs who are goofy, sweet, and mischievous boxers. An inspiration of hers is to someday be more involved in the medical world and helping others!

Jenasea White, Veterinarian Assistant

Jenasea is a Colorado native. She started off working at a barn doing chores and loved it! The opportunity to work at Iron Horse came up and she was very excited to continue and expand her work with horses. She loves interacting with all kinds of animals and seeing all the different personalities they have. She believes in respecting and loving every animal as if they were her own.

Jenasea always knew she wanted to work with animals. She looks forward to going to work every single day and meeting clients and their amazing
animals.

During her free time, she enjoys camping and paddle boarding. She also loves spending time with her family and fur babies. Jenasea is currently attending school to become a Certified Veterinary Technician.

Jessica Hall

Jessica is currently the Office Administrator, previously worked as CSR and Veterinary Assistant and joined the team in September 2017!
As a Colorado native, Jessica is originally from Greeley, but moved to Elizabeth in 2017. Jessica graduated from Northeastern Junior College with an Associates in Animal Sciences and Certificate in Equine Management in 2016. Jessica initially planned to work and train horses in the Cowhorse discipline, after competing in Collegiate Ranch Horse Versatility. Fortunately, her interest in the veterinary world had a stronger hold of her.

From a young age, Jessica had an obvious passion for animals and caring for them. From loving on the livestock at her grandparents farm, to bandaging up her own animals, and then later on, becoming deeply involved with her local FFA chapter, there was always an animal to care for. Her favorite thing about working with patients is getting to see the relationship with Vets/Techs/Assistants and the horses bloom. Jessica knew she was in the right profession when the work itself became a source of passion and pride, and the patients and clients needs became her motivation.

Outside of work, Jessica lives with her husband and biggest support, Shea, their two goofy dogs and a sassy little kitty. In her free time, Jessica can often be found doing all outdoor things like hiking, fishing, camping, hunting, paddle boarding, riding out on trails with friends, and enjoying local events!

Angilese Riley

Angilese grew up running wild in rural Michigan catching frogs, caring for all the hurt animals that crossed her path, and riding horses and dirt bikes.  She showed her Morgan pony, Baylad, and a Quarter Horse named Miss Dee Maker in 4-H until her graduation from high school.  Angie attended Ohio Technical College in Cleveland for Automotive Collision Repair and Custom Paint, where she became I-CAR certified.  Not long after, she moved to Idaho Springs, Colorado on a whim with her cousin.  In her past employment, she has customized MGA’s and MGB’s with V8 engines and worked 8 years in the motorcycle industry.  When Angie moved to Elbert County, she decided to trade in one horse power for another.  She worked a few years in customer service at the Kiowa feed store, getting to know many locals in the equine community, before the company changed ownership.

Angie’s primary passions still center on caring for animals and biological science, and she has future aspirations of one day finishing the Biology degree she started.  During business hours, she thrives on office organizing projects and the great pride she takes in the best customer service she can deliver, all with a cup of tea in hand, of course.  When Angie’s not working, you can usually find her at home perfecting recipes, reading to her son, in the garden or pasture with her assortment of farm animals, or scheming about how to get her husband on board with whatever grandiose, ambitious plan she’s currently dreaming up.

Emily Hall

Originally hailing from Illinois, Emily was born into a bustling family of seven siblings. As a child, her aspirations led her to dream of a life in Colorado. Her diverse life experiences have taken her on a transformative path, from performing music full-time with her family’s bluegrass band to working as a ranch hand and wildland firefighter in South Dakota. Eventually, her journey led her to Colorado, where she immersed herself in various roles, including equine breeding, backcountry outfitting as a camp cook, insurance customer service, and now, as a CSR for Iron Horse Equine.

Emily’s connection to animals has deep roots, fostered by a childhood surrounded by a menagerie of creatures. Yet, it was her profound love for horses that left an indelible mark. Recollections of summers spent galloping around the pasture on her horse Cisco and participating in 4H and local fairs showcase her lifelong devotion to these majestic creatures. Working within an environment that supports both people and their four-legged companions aligns seamlessly with Emily’s passions.

The moment Emily realized she was destined for her profession was when she recognized her ability to provide assistance during challenging times and difficult situations. This innate drive to support others solidified her sense of purpose in the equine care industry.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Emily thrives in the great outdoors. Her enthusiasm for hunting, hiking, backpacking, and fishing serves as a testament to her adventurous spirit. Most of her cherished days off are spent embarking on hikes with her faithful canine companion, Koda. Emily’s diverse interests also encompass music, cooking, baking, and indulging in spirited street hockey matches. Engaging in profound conversations with friends is yet another facet of her multifaceted personality.

Emily Hall’s journey within the veterinary world, coupled with her dynamic pursuits beyond work, paints a vivid picture of a woman driven by a profound connection to animals, a spirit of adventure, and an unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of both two-legged and four-legged individuals alike.

Alexis Chrzanowski

Alexis is a dedicated Customer Service Representative at Iron Horse Equine, bringing her lifelong passion for horses to the forefront of her career. Growing up in a small town in New Jersey, Alexis discovered her love for horses at a young age. Her journey with horses has been an adventurous one, including traveling across the country with her partner, Andrew, as they participated in jousting events before finally settling down in Colorado.

Alexis’s enthusiasm for the equine industry is evident in her work. With a background in equine facility management, she has gained extensive experience and insight into the care and management of horses. Her role at Iron Horse Equine allows her to combine her passion with her profession, working closely with the veterinary team in an ambulatory practice. Alexis is committed to furthering her education in the equine industry, with aspirations to become a Veterinary Technician.

Her favorite aspect of working with animals is the excitement and fulfillment it brings. Alexis finds great joy in being part of an industry that continuously offers new learning opportunities and experiences. She knew she had found the right profession when she realized the blend of excitement and satisfaction she felt working in the equine sector.

Outside of her professional life, Alexis enjoys an active lifestyle that includes hiking, riding horses, and spending quality time with her two dogs. Her love for animals extends beyond her career, enriching her personal life and reflecting her deep-rooted connection to the animal world.