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 Dr. Howard received his board certification in equine surgery through 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, where her passion for equine medicine began. She completed her undergraduate studies at Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska, and earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. Following graduation, Dr. Robinson completed an internship at Arizona Equine in 2000 and remained with the practice as an associate veterinarian for four years. In 2004, she became a partner and continues to play a vital role in the growth and success of the practice. Her professional interests include preventative and internal medicine, dentistry, reproduction, and lameness. She became certified in equine acupuncture in 2003 and further expanded her integrative medicine expertise by completing the Options for Animals Chiropractic course in 2025–2026. Coming from a strong farrier background—her father, Charlie Hill, and her late husband, Jason Robinson, were both farriers—Dr. Robinson values a collaborative approach to equine care and enjoys working closely with farriers to provide the highest quality outcomes for her patients. Outside of work, Dr. Robinson enjoys spending time with her family and attending sporting events. Her son, Ty, currently plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, and her daughter, Tanner, plays volleyball for Utah State University. In her free time, she can often be found working out or riding horses with her father. She also loves spending time with her growing family, including her grandchildren from her son Truitt. 

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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 focused on the use of magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the equine stifle. In 2025, Dr. Stedman received her board certification in large animal surgery through the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Outside of work, Dr. Stedman enjoys running, baking, reading and playing the cello. 

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. While in college, she worked part time as a veterinary technician at Mountain Point Equine in Utah. Dr. Kafesjian 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 enjoys trail riding, hiking and nature photography. She also is a violist in the Gilbert Symphony Orchestra, and loves spoiling her two cats Astrid and Boots. 

Bio coming soon

Bio coming soon

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