VETERINARIANS
Our DVMs
Troy Herthel, DVM, Dip. ACVS-LA
Born and raised in Los Olivos, California, Troy obtained his undergraduate degree in Animal Science and Agricultural Business from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He then earned his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State College of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation, Dr. Herthel completed a year-long internship at Weatherford Equine Medical Center in Weatherford, Texas, focusing primarily on lameness, surgery and reproduction in western performance horses. Dr. Herthel returned to Alamo Pintado, where he completed a surgical residency program and became certified as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. He is the youngest son of Alamo Pintado founders, Dr. Doug and Mrs. Sue Herthel. Dr. Troy Herthel lives in Los Olivos with his wife, Jacie, and daughters, Crosby and Piper.
Ed Hamer, DVM
Born in Yerington, Nevada, Dr. Hamer attended the University of Nevada at Reno, where he earned his undergraduate degree. He completed his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University, coming to Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center as an intern the following year. Along with treating patients on clinic grounds, Dr. Hamer provides excellent ambulatory veterinary care to the farms and ranches throughout the Santa Ynez Valley, as well as expertise in reproduction and fertility.
Lisa Teske, DVM
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Dr. Teske moved to Fort Collins to attend Colorado State University as an undergraduate student in agricultural business. After completing her degree, she remained at CSU to participate in the veterinary program. Accomplishing her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Teske then moved to Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center where she took part in the internship program. Today, Dr. Teske remains a staff veterinarian, providing ambulatory field services, as well as an expertise in equine acupuncture. Dr. Teske is an accomplished dressage rider.
Greg Parks, DVM
Born in Washington, DC, Dr. Parks moved to California to attend the University of California at Santa Cruz. He went on to The Ohio State University for his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Parks participated in our internship program in 1988 and has since stayed on as a staff veterinarian. Dr. Parks has significant expertise in equine reproduction and fertility, and spends significant time in the field, providing veterinary services to clients throughout California's Central Coast. He now lives in Los Olivos with his wife and two children.
Erin Byrne, DVM, Dip. ACVIM
From her hometown of Sunol, CA, Dr. Byrne moved to Davis to complete her undergraduate degree at the University of California, where she continued on to achieve her DVM degree four years later. Following her veterinary education, she moved to College Station, Texas, to participate in the internship program at Texas A&M University, where she remained as a resident in large animal internal medicine. After successfully completing the strenuous board accreditation process, Dr. Byrne became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, and brings her expertise in internal medicine to the patients of Alamo Pintado Equine.
Tyler Stevenson, DVM
Dr. Stevenson is originally from the Central Coast of California, and was inspired to pursue veterinary medicine after watching and working with his father, and equine veterinarian. He completed his undergraduate degree at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and went on to earn a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of California at Davis, where he was recognized by the faculty for his work in the equine clinic and also for his excellence in large animal surgery. Dr. Stevenson then completed an internship at Brock Veterinary Clinic in West Texas, followed by a year under the tutelage of Dr. Joe Carter at Oklahoma Equine, focused on lameness and sports medicine. In his spare time Dr. Stevenson enjoys riding, fly fishing and playing the guitar.
Wade Walker, DVM, Dip. ACVS-LA
Wade is a 3rd generation veterinarian from La Canada Flintridge, California. He achieved both his undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences (2007) and his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University (2011) with honors. During this time he was employed as a research assistant at the Equine Orthopaedic Research Center. Dr. Walker completed an Internship at Arizona Equine Medical and Surgical Centre followed by a Large Animal Surgery Residency at Cornell University in 2019. Wade gained further experience as a staff surgeon at both San Luis Rey Equine Hospital in Bonsall, California and Chaparral Veterinary Medical Center in Cave Creek, AZ prior to joining the team at Alamo Pintado.
With a decade of experience as a board-certified surgeon, Dr. Walker’s practice encompasses a wide range of offerings including, surgery, complex lameness, advanced imaging (MRI, CT, and Nuclear Imaging), and regenerative therapies (PRP, stem cells, exosomes) His surgical interests include orthopedic surgery, upper respiratory, sinus surgery and dental extractions, standing laparoscopy, oncologic surgery with electrochemotherapy, and abdominal surgery.
Carolina Lopez, DVM, Dip. ACVIM
Born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, Carolina Lopez grew up riding jumpers and dressage horses. She went on to earn her Veterinary degree at La Salle University in Colombia and pursue her interest in equine internal medicine and ophthalmology. A former Alamo Pintado Equine intern, Carolina has returned to serve our patients after earning her master's degree and completing her residency. With a special interest in teaching, Dr.Lopez looks forward to mentoring interns and externs classes at Alamo Pintado and to providing clients with thoughtful continuing education. In her spare time Carolina enjoys any outdoor sport, especially cycling and hiking with the company of her beloved miniature American Shepherd, Feliz.
Mariah Kerr, DVM
Dr. Mariah Kerr started riding horses at the age of five. She was part of the Arizona High School Rodeo Association and National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. She received her BS in Agribusiness from Arizona State University. She received her DVM from Colorado State University. Dr. Kerr has a special interest in podiatry and has previously been published on the topic with a second publication currently in the works. She has also spoken nationally on the subject, delivering a talk on “Evaluating and Balancing the Distal Limb Using Specific Anatomical and Radiographic Parameters” at the national conference of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. She loves spending time at the gym and applying her knowledge of physiology to her profession.
A Heritage of Leadership
Veterinary Interns
Natalia Uson, DVM
Martina Vecchi, DVM
Mimi von Zitzewitz, DVM
Salome Jagoury, DVM
Sarah Gabriel, DVM
ANIMAL HEALTH TECHNICIANS
REHABILITATION TEAM
CLIENT SERVICE TEAM
FACILITIES TEAM
CLINIC OPERATIONS
Ky Mortensen, JD, MBA
A Colorado native, Ky serves as Chief Operating Officer to the Alamo Pintado team. He holds an equine science degree from Colorado State University, an MBA from Louisiana State University, and a law degree from Southern University Law Center. Ky began his career in the veterinary industry with the American Association of Equine Practitioners followed by an appointment with the Equine Health Studies Program at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to joining the team at Alamo Pintado, he oversaw Texas based veterinary practice management firm, Inova Partners, working with equine veterinary practices nationwide to help them achieve their business goals. He and his wife Victoria, along with their sons Beck and Jett, now make their home in the Santa Ynez Valley.