Get to Know Our Doctors
Our licensed equine veterinarians at Piedmont Equine Associates are passionate about equine welfare and offer professional, compassionate care in all areas of equine health. We deeply value the trust our clients place in us and are committed to excellence in diagnosis and treatment.
Our Veterinarians
Our 2024-25 Interns
Joshua Rogers
University of Tennessee School of Veterinary Medicine 2024
Avery Martin
Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine 2024
Daniel R. Pike
DVM
My name is Daniel Pike, and I was born and raised in Macon, Georgia. I attended the University of Georgia where I obtained my undergraduate degree in Animal Health and proceeded to complete my Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2005. After a few years as an associate veterinarian at a full-service equine practice in Hempstead, Texas, my wife Lauren and I returned to Georgia and settled in Madison, where I started Piedmont Equine Associates in 2008.
I chose Madison Georgia as home because:
I traveled through Madison regularly when I was in school at the University of Georgia, and always liked the quaintness of the town. When my wife and I decided to move back home after living in Texas, we wanted to go somewhere that embodied the southern charm and history we both missed while we were living outside of Georgia. We also needed to find a place that was easily accessible for horse owners. After great deliberation, we decided that Madison was the best fit for us both.
When not working on patients here at PEA:
I can be found playing baseball with my son, Will, and watching my daughter, Elizabeth, play tennis. My kids and I enjoy riding horses together and working cattle. I love traveling with my wife and kids in the summer months and introducing them to new sites and experiences.
Before becoming an equine veterinarian, I enjoyed spending time with horses:
With my father on his farm in Perry and later roping calves, as well as showing reining horses.
What made me want to pursue a career as an equine veterinarian:
My grandfather was a large animal veterinarian in Oklahoma. I grew up spending time with him listening to stories of his career, and the careers of others.
The most fulfilling part of my job is:
Helping clients improve their experience and overall performance with their horses through education and treatments that allow the horses and their riders to reach their maximum potential.
What the Piedmont brand means to me:
Piedmont Equine is near to my heart. When I decided to start my own practice, I envisioned a place where clients could bring their horses and feel confident that they would be treated with the utmost care and respect for both horse and owner.
What I would say to my patients if I had a few words:
“Please don’t kick me today.”
Chloe Hancock
MPH, DVM
I am originally from Hamilton, Georgia — a small town in the west central region of the state which received its second stoplight while I was in high school. I attended Mercer University in Macon, Georgia where I received a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry. I then obtained a Master’s degree in public health, Cum Laude from Mercer University School of Medicine prior to attending the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine where I earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, Cum Laude. During my clinical year of veterinary school, I completed a 3-week externship at Piedmont Equine Associates and then, after graduating, returned for a year-long internship in June 2017. After completing my internship in May 2018, I was asked to stay on as an associate veterinarian and have been here ever since!
I chose Madison Georgia as home because:
Because it is home to Piedmont Equine Associates! My time at the practice during my externship and internship allowed me to become familiar with the area and I fell in love with it. It has the hospitable small town, rural environment that I grew up with and desired but is in close enough proximity to Athens and Atlanta to have the benefits of the city within easy reach.
When not working on patients here at PEA:
When not at work, I enjoy riding my horses (I have two Warmblood event horses), traveling with my husband (so far, my favorite destination is the Maldives where we celebrated our 10th anniversary in 2022), and trying new restaurants!
Before becoming an equine veterinarian, I enjoyed spending time with horses:
I began taking riding lessons at around 7 years old and fell in love with the sport of three-day eventing at Big Bear Farm in Pine Mountain, Georgia. I rode and competed extensively and was a working student for an international event and dressage rider. I was also heavily involved with the breeding program and gained a lot of experience starting and training young sport horses.
What made me want to pursue a career as an equine veterinarian:
I went through my undergraduate program with the intent to go to medical school. I applied to and was waitlisted at several medical colleges and so I pursued my Master’s degree. While I learned a great deal during my time studying public health, a lot of which I now use in my daily life as a veterinarian, I realized I no longer wished to pursue a life as a physician. I decided to pursue a career in equine veterinary medicine so I could combine my passion for horses and great interest in medicine and health sciences.
The most fulfilling part of my job:
As far as the types of cases I enjoy: internal medicine is my favorite and what I’m best at… colic, pneumonia, neurologic disease, laminitis, etc. I also greatly enjoy ophthalmology, neonatology, and anesthesiology. But what is the most fulfilling aspect of my job? There is no better feeling when you send home a patient against whom the odds were stacked, and you thought may not make it. Building a relationship with a horse and its owner to become a team focused on the horse’s health and healing as well as client education are also very important to me.
What the Piedmont brand means to me:
A commitment to excellence in all facets of the practice. Providing unequaled medical care to the horse in all stages of its life.
Childhood career goal:
If you’d asked 5-year-old me what I wanted to be when I grew up, the answer would have been to work in a candy factory. So, if anyone wants to get me a Christmas gift… candy. Especially chocolate.
What I would say to my patients if I had a few words:
“I come in peace… please don’t kick me.”
Veronica Edwards
DVM, Residency Trained Surgeon
I am from Southern California and eventually made my way to the Southeast during my veterinary career. I graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness management and a chemistry minor in 2015. Following this I headed up to Northern California to graduate from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2019. At this point I left my home state and landed in Lexington Kentucky to complete a 1 year Hospital Internship in 2020 at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital where I was fortunate enough to work with many elite thoroughbred racehorses. I was introduced to the real south at Louisiana State University to finish a second internship in 2021 in Equine Medicine and Surgery. Finally, I landed in Georgia where I completed my Large Animal Surgery Residency in 2024 and found a beautiful location to live and thrive in North Georgia.
I chose Madison Georgia as home because:
Even though I grew up in sunny southern California because of the beautiful greenery, rolling mountains, and wonderful people.
When not working on patients here at PEA:
I am out enjoying the extensive trails of North Georgia, whether that’s on foot trail running with my three dogs or relaxing on horseback with my retired Trakehner Rizio. My big goal in the next few years is to complete a 100-mile ultramarathon!
Before becoming an equine veterinarian, I enjoyed spending time with horses:
As kid on the trail with the trusty family pony and then progressing to the hunter, jumper and equitation rings in the greater San Diego region of California. Rizio my now retired gelding has been my companion from high school on and, as I like to say, a highly educated horse. He has been with me for every step of my education from undergraduate all the way through a surgery residency.
What made me want to pursue a career as an equine veterinarian:
Was my childhood growing up with a menagerie of large and small animals, including goats, pigs, horses, llamas, birds, cats, dogs, lizards, and of course horses. The final push from working with animals to into veterinary medicine was a physiology class my last year of high school.
The most fulfilling part of my job:
And what drives me to expand my expertise in surgery is seeing my patients live up to their potential and head home happy and healthy. Additionally, helping my patients and clients feel safe and secure in stressful moments, such as emergencies, fuels my passion for emergency veterinary medicine.
What the Piedmont brand means to me:
Is a place to enjoy my career with a fun relaxed group of people who share a passion for caring for horses and their owners. I am so excited to develop my career here!
What I would say to my patients if I had a few words:
It would be thank you. As such large powerful creatures, I have not met any horse that is mean or cruel and I am so grateful for that!
Becca Gabriel
DVM
I am originally from St. Johns, Michigan, which is about 20 minutes north of Michigan State University (Go Green!) I received my Bachelor of Science degree from MSU. Following my graduation, I went to Lincoln Memorial University for vet school, which is located near the Cumberland Gap in Tennessee. I then did a yearlong rotating internship at Park Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. I finally landed at Piedmont Equine in August of 2019.
I chose Madison Georgia as home because:
Because of the amazing facility here at Piedmont Equine. Madison also has the small-town rural feel which is just like my hometown up in America’s high-five.
When not working on patients here at PEA:
I enjoy running with my dog Linus. Riding my horse Elton, who has been following me around the country since I was 19 years old. Watching any/all Michigan State Spartan athletics. And visiting my family’s cottage on Lake Huron.
Before becoming an equine veterinarian, I enjoyed spending time with horses:
Both my parents were born and raised in downtown Detroit. Owning horses was my mom’s lifelong dream. A dream that my older sister and I capitalized on. I grew up riding 4-H, on my high school’s equestrian team. I have competed in almost all disciplines enjoying the Arab show circuit the most.
The most fulfilling part of my job:
Seeing my patients being successful at their jobs, no matter the job title.
What the Piedmont brand means to me:
A group of the hardest working people with a passion for equines and their safety and longevity.
Childhood career goal:
My first goal was to be a jockey, but I quickly outgrew the size requirement. I then moved on to being a Rockette, but have zero dance skills.
What I would say to my patients if I had a few words:
“Please don’t hate me, I am only trying to save your life.”
Chandler Wood
DVM
I was born and raised in Sandy Springs, Georgia. I was lucky enough to grow up learning to love horses at a hunter jumper barn in Alpharetta, where I spent every second of my free time until moving to Athens, Georgia. At the University of Georgia, I received a wildlife management degree, had an opportunity to study human-animal conflicts in Botswana, and then received my doctorate in veterinary medicine. After graduation, I moved out west to complete an equine internship with Idaho Equine Hospital. In 2020, I moved closer to family and just in time to watch the Georgia Bulldawgs become national champions (twice). I now call Rutledge, Georgia, and Piedmont Equine Associates home.
I chose Madison Georgia as home because:
If it was not obvious enough in my introduction, Madison allows me to be close to my family and my beloved alma mater. Honestly, living in Madison and working for Dr. Pike and Dr. Elliott was a dream of mine for as long as equine veterinary medicine was. And to top it off, my partner, Tyler Lipham, has a dental office in Monticello. We love being a part of these communities who welcomed us home as soon as we arrived!
When not working on patients here at PEA:
I spend as much time as I can with the people and animals in my life. Tyler and I look forward to summer beach trips with family and fall football season — we love spending time with friends! And in between, we try to explore our natural world as much as possible while we hike, camp, and travel. And still finding time to care for our animal family: Tuli, a hound mix, Tippet, a Bracco Italiano, Beau, an Oldenburg gelding, Rhubarb, a mini dexter mix steer, Radish, a mixed breed goat, Otis, a ball python, and 5 chickens (Cera, Ol’ Dan, Shoalie, Marjorie, the Swiss).
Before becoming an equine veterinarian, I enjoyed spending time with horses:
Being a horse girl doesn’t always have to be genetic but, in my case, it definitely is. My maternal grandfather spent his boyhood driving his pony on his paper route every day and my mother loved horses as soon as you can love anything. She is a beautiful rider and had a colorful career with horses, as a hunter jumper rider and instructor. She and her best friend, Lee Ullman, made me the horsewoman I am today. Even my dad loved horses and they taught him to ride too! Some of my favorite memories are long days at the barn making lifelong friendships, riding with my dad, my brother playing in the tree fort by the arena, and my mom and Lee watching ringside. All I could ever want is to spend every day with horses, and now thanks to this career, the faces watching are those of my clients, and the horses are the patients I get the privilege to work on.
What made me want to pursue a career as an equine veterinarian:
I was never set out on a veterinary path until much later in life. But now you’ll often hear me tell people that I feel like I was made to do this job or that this job was made for me. I enjoy hard work, being outside, building relationships with people, challenging myself, and simply being around horses every day. I cannot imagine doing anything else.
The most fulfilling part of my job:
Relationships. Relationships with my patients, clients, coworkers, and community are certainly the most fulfilling part of my job.
What the Piedmont brand means to me:
Riding for the Piedmont Equine brand means being a part of a team that is working towards a goal we are all proud of: providing quality, comprehensive care to the equine companions and athletes of our community. I work with such an incredible group of people who care so passionately about what they do, and that is truly what makes PEA special.
Childhood career goal:
I think if you had asked me as a toddler, I would have happily voiced that my dream was to work at the Australia Zoo, wearing khaki side by side with Steve Irwin. As I grew into my horse-crazy young self, Olympic equestrian probably was high on the list. Once I became somewhat more reasonable, conservation biology became my passion (and still is a huge part of my life). But I couldn’t deny where I belong: equine medicine. And now I continue to dream to be the best equine veterinarian I can be.
What I would say to my patients if I had a few words:
This is a hard question! There are so many things I wish we could communicate to our patients. But if only allotted a few words, I would just express gratitude. There are so many things we ask our patients to do or endure, with no explanation given to them. I would thank them (welllll I should say thank most of them) for their patience, gentleness, and tolerance.
Erik Perez
DVM, Residency Trained Surgeon
I was born and raised in Mexico City, where I obtained my veterinary degree from the National University of Mexico (UNAM) in 2011. Following graduation, I decided to complete a Master’s of science degree focused on equine regenerative medicine. During that time, I had the opportunity to extern at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, which further enhanced my interest in equine sports medicine and surgery.
Concurrently, soon after graduating from veterinary school, I began working at the Hipodromo de las Americas racetrack in Mexico City. I was incredibly lucky to have the opportunity of being part of the first team inaugurating and operating the on-site hospital at the racetrack, where I worked with hundreds of horses. During this time, I decided I wanted to pursue an internship and residency to become an equine surgeon. In 2016, I completed an equine internship at Kansas State University before moving to Gainesville, FL to complete my large animal surgery residency at the University of Florida in 2020, where I was in the right place at the right time to meet my wife.
After completion of my surgery residency, I began working at a private practice in Ocala, FL, for two years before joining Piedmont Equine Associates in the summer of 2022. My wife and I decided to move to Madison, Georgia shortly after meeting the team at PEA and receiving serendipitous job opportunities for both of us. Besides continuing to pursue our professional goals as specialized veterinarians, we enjoy spending time together with animals, hanging out with friends, traveling, eating in new places, and getting to know our new Georgia surroundings.
I am thankful for my time spent at PEA so far, and I’m excited for the challenges and opportunities to come helping more amazing horses and clients along the way.
Olivia Catarino
DVM
I am originally from Woodbridge, Connecticut. I attended the University of Connecticut, where I received a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science. I then graduated cum laude from University of Florida – College of Veterinary Medicine in 2021. I completed an internship at Ocala Equine Hospital, where I gained experience with a variety of different sport horses. I had the opportunity to attend multiple thoroughbred sales as well as treat clients at the World Equestrian Center. In April 2023, I had the opportunity to join the Piedmont team. My interests include preventative care, emergency medicine, and lameness.
I chose Madison Georgia as home because:
This charming town captivated me when I came for my interview. My fiancé and I were looking for somewhere to build a life together. Overall, the area was beautiful, and we liked how it was a smaller town, but close enough to Athens and Atlanta. But what sold us was how friendly and welcoming everyone we encountered was.
When not working on patients here at PEA:
I can be found riding my own horse, Rosetta. My current goal is to obtain my USDF Bronze medal with her. If I’m not at the barn, I’m usually traveling with my fiancé. We enjoy exploring new towns in Georgia as well as the US and internationally.
Before becoming an equine veterinarian, I enjoyed spending time with horses:
And I still do! Like many kids, I learned to ride on a great group of lesson horses with the dream of having my own fancy pony one day.
What made me want to pursue a career as an equine veterinarian:
I wanted to pursue a career in equine medicine because I know the joy that horses can bring to people’s lives and how passionate owners can be. As I continued to grow up from that little lesson kid and explore the horse world, my passion for horses grew as I realized what amazing athletes they are. I will never forget the feeling of standing at the rail watching a racehorse breeze by or watching horses soar over jumps at my first Grand Prix.
The most fulfilling part of my job:
When we’re able to help a patient. Whether it’s a lameness, colic, or eye issue, there is no better feeling than watching the positive progression of a case and reaching the point of discharge.
What the Piedmont brand means to me:
A passionate team committed to excellence, not only in the care of our horses but in our relationships with clients as well.
What I would say to my patients if I had a few words:
“Please let us help you.”