Meet Our Staff
The success of our facility is due to the kindness and dedication of our staff.Our staff is the backbone of our business providing top notch service for all our clients/patients.
Take a moment to get to know each one as they are here to help.
Simply click on the + sign in each one below to get to know each of our staff members.
Doctors
Dr. Michael Giacopuzzi, DVM
Dr. Mike Giacopuzzi is one of the founders and co-owners of Humphrey, Giacopuzzi & Associates. He grew up on a dairy farm in Ventura County and graduated veterinary school from the University of California, Davis in 1980. Dr. Mike specializes in general surgery and lameness. He is very active in the local 4-H program and serves every year as the veterinarian for the Ventura County Fair.
Dr. Richard Giacopuzzi, DVM
Dr. Richard Giacopuzzi is a co-owner of Humphrey, Giacopuzzi & Associates. He grew up in Canoga Park where he was raised in a ranching and dairy family. Before veterinary school he worked as a racetrack groom. He graduated veterinary school from the University of California, Davis in 1979. He is one of the most respected doctors in the area in the reproduction field.
Dr. Hannah Klasson, DVM
Dr. Klasson graduated from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and joined the practice as an intern in 2012, and as an associate in 2013. Her professional interests include: internal medicine, theriogenology and neonatology, as well as wellness and preventative medicine. She completed the Chi Institute’s Equine Acupuncture course and began offering this a as a regular service at HGAE in 2014.
Dr. Cori Youngblood, DVM
Dr. Youngblood grew up in Washington showing English and Western performance and barrel racing in junior rodeo. She attended Washington State University for undergraduate and vet school and completed internships at Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, and Oregon State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Her residency in equine surgery and master’s degree in veterinary biomedical science were performed at the Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center. While not working Dr. Youngblood enjoys spending time outdoors and with her cats Bonnie and Bridgette.
Dr. Rachel Picarro, DVM
Dr. Picarro graduated from Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018 and just recently joined the practice as an intern. She grew up in San Diego, CA and first developed her passion for horses while taking lessons at a hunter/jumper barn. Her professional interests include internal medicine and theriogenology. Outside of work, Dr. Picarro enjoys Pilates, experimenting with new recipes, and spending time with her friends and family.
Dr. Samantha Nieves, DVM
Dr. Sam grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles and played competitive fastpitch softball all the way through her undergrad years at Middle Tennessee State University. She is graduating from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine with a focus on Equine Medicine in May of 2020. Her professional interests include theriogenology, anesthesia and analgesia, and veterinary emergency response. Outside of veterinary medicine, she enjoys working out, being outdoors, and teaching her Bengal cat, Koda, new tricks.
Consultants
Dr. Ryan Carpenter, DVM, MS, DACVS-LA
Dr. Ryan Carpenter, DVM, MS, DACVS-LA - Bio
Dr. Carpenter graduated from UC Davis, school of veterinary medicine in 2005 and went on to complete an internship in Southern California with Equine Medical and Surgical Group and Equine Medical Center. Following this year, Dr. Carpenter completed a surgical residency at Colorado State University and conducted orthopedic research projects focusing on gene therapy and fracture healing under the direction of the Equine Orthopedic Research Center at CSU. Dr. Carpenter currently practices in Southern California focusing exclusively on Thoroughbred racehorses where he spends his mornings as an active racetrack practitioner and his afternoons in the hospital specializing in orthopedic and upper airway surgery.
Dr. Phoebe Smith DVM, DACVIM
Dr. Phoebe Smith DVM, DACVIM - Bio
Dr. Smith was born and raised in Kentucky, graduating magna cum laude from Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1997. She moved west to pursue an internship at Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center then practiced general equine medicine in Southern California for two years before beginning residency training in internal medicine at UC Davis. Achieving board certification in Internal Medicine in 2003, Dr. Smith returned to Alamo Pintado as a specialist, focusing on emergency/critical care, neonatal and internal medicine cases. In 2007, Dr. Smith was recruited by The Ohio State University, and accepted a position as clinical professor in Equine Internal Medicine. In addition to treating patients in the hospital, she instructed fourth year students in clinics and lectured extensively in this academic role. In 2010, she returned to the Santa Ynez Valley to raise her daughter and establish a specialty internal medicine practice.
Dr. April Armstrong, DVM
Dr. April Armstrong, DVM - Bio
Dr. Armstrong graduated from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1997 and completed an internship in equine medicine and surgery at Humphrey, Giacopuzzi and Associates Equine Hospital in 1998, where she then continued as an associate veterinarian for another four years. Shoreline Equine Veterinary Services was started by Dr. Armstrong in 2002 to provide advanced reproductive procedures as well as general veterinary care. Dr. Armstrong spends her free time with her great husband, Marty and cool kids, Lily and Fin. They are often out camping, competing in triathlons or swim meets, or at the BMX track.
Technicians
Bex Felch, R.V.T. - Technical Supervisor
Bex Felch, R.V.T. ~ Bio
Bex hails from Northern Virginia. She received a dual bachelor’s degrees from Virginia Tech in Biology and Animal & Poultry Sciences in 2005. After graduation, she completed a management internship at a major thoroughbred racehorse breeding farm and became certified in equine sports massage. Bex has been working as a supervising veterinary technician since 2006, and obtained a R.V.T. license in 2009. She spent several years in both Virginia (Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center) and Kentucky (Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital) prior to moving to Ventura in 2011. Outside of the work, Becky enjoys exploring California wine country, the beach, and camping.
April Carpenter, R.V.T. - Stallion Services
April Carpenter, R.V.T. ~ Bio
April grew up a Ventura County local. She received her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2011, concentrating in Equine Science and Equine Reproduction. In 2017, April became licensed as an RVT. She has been working with the hospital as a technician for almost 5 years now, recently taking over coordinating for our breeding department as well as assisting in semen freezing. When she isn’t working with horses, April enjoys the beach, paddle boarding and hiking with her husband and dog.
Amy Trottier, R.V.T., E.S.T. - Inventory Manager
Amy Trottier, R.V.T., E.S.T. ~ Bio
Amy was born and raised in Canada where her passion for horses began at a young age. She grew up riding and showing any horse she could! After attending school to become an Equine Sports Therapist she knew she had more to learn. Her love of horses brought her (and her horse at the time) down to California. Amy began volunteering at HGAE in January 2016 while attending Mount San Antonio College where she graduated from their Veterinary Technician Program with an Associates Degree in Science. She was hired on as a full time employee shortly after graduation. When she is not working she enjoys travelling and hiking with her husband and chihuahua!
Jocelyn Palmer, AEVT - Laboratory Services
Jocelyn Palmer, AEVT ~ Bio
Jocelyn is from Rhode Island. She moved to California in 2013 and joined HGAE in 2014. Jocelyn is currently working on her R.V.T. license. Jocelyn spends her free time with her thoroughbred, Bunny, and hiking with her dog, Vada. Jocelyn’s favorite things about working at HGAE are foaling season, surgery, and teasing Dr. Mike.
Melissa Rohaley - 4-H and FFA Liaison
Melissa Rohaley ~ Bio
Melissa was born and raised in Leona Valley, a small rural town located in the High Desert. Melissa and her family bred and raised livestock for 4H Club. Prior to joining HGAE, Melissa was a chef in Hollywood and hold a culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu. Her passions are her horse, Tad, and her puppy, Wyatt. Melissa has been with us since 2014 and can’t wait for foaling season!
Sharon Scheiltz, RVT - Anesthetist
Sharon Scheiltz, RVT ~ Bio
Sharon received her R.V.T. license in 2000 and has additional training in anesthesiology. Sharon teaches anesthesiology to veterinary students visiting HGAE during their rotation. In her free time, Sharon and husband compete in team roping.
Anna Beraud - Mare Services
Anna Beraud ~ Bio
Anna graduated in 2017 from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in Animal Science with a concentration in beef cattle production. Anna has a passion for large animals and has worked with cattle, sheep, goats, mules, and horses. In her free time Anna enjoys trail riding, working cattle, and hiking with her fiance and their dog.
Nicolette McCarty - Technician
Nicolette McCarty ~ Bio
Nikki was born and raised in Ventura County. Nikki grew up raising livestock in the Las Posas 4-H Club and excelled in market beef production. Nikki began volunteering at HGAE in January of 2018 and was hired shortly after. Nikki is currently enrolled in the Veterinary Technician Degree program at Penn Foster College.
Lynsey McCarthy - Technician
Lynsey McCarthy ~ Bio
Lynsey McCarthy grew up on a small horse farm outside of Boston, MA. She graduated from Norfolk County Agricultural High School, majoring in Large Animal Sciences with a main focus on Equine. She then attended the Thomson Schools of Applied Sciences at the University of New Hampshire, graduating with a degree in Equine Science. Lynsey coached and competed with elite Hunter/Jumper stables in the east coast circuit for over a decade. She recently moved to Burbank, California with her family.
Jennifer Nunes - Technician
Jennifer Nunes ~ Bio
Jen grew up in Camarillo riding hunter in ETI. Jen now rides dressage and manage the dressage shows at both El Sueno and Mission Pacific Equestrian Center. Jen is the volunteer chair of the CDS chapter in Ventura.
Office
Valerie Wilson - Front Office
Valerie Wilson ~ Bio
Valerie has been with HGAE for over 10 years. Valerie will answer the phone when you call and assist you in any way she can. Valerie enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and trail riding with her husband.
Tracy Thomas - Accounts Receivable
Tracy Thomas ~ Bio
Tracy has returned to HGAE after a few years off. Tracy handles open invoices and acts a liaison with farm managers and business representatives. Tracy is the leader for the Santa Rosa Valley Market Lamb Project and has been involved with the 4H program from 12 years.Tracy enjoys barrel racing and trail riding with Tracy’s daughter Makayla.
Haley Winters - Front Office
Haley Winters ~ Bio
Haley grew up in Ventura County and has been riding her entire life. Haley is a student at Moorpark College pursuing a degree in education. In her free time Haley enjoys camping and hiking with her dog Koda.
Kathleen Winters - Front Office
Kathleen Winters ~ Bio
Kat grew up around horses. Her family owned Santoro Thoroughbreds and raced all over California. Kat has been involved in pony club as the Horse Management Regional Organizer and District Commissioner for Santa Rosa Valley for over 10 years. In her free time Kat enjoys riding dressage and spending time with her daughters.
Colleen Whiting - Practice Manager
Colleen Whiting ~ Bio
Colleen has been riding and working around horses her entire life. She taught horsemanship for many years as junior rider. She served for four years as captain of Notre Dame High School IEL team and spent 3 riding with Karen Healy, learning from Karen as well as the legendary George Morris. In 2017, she graduated from California Lutheran University with a degree in accounting and plans complete the CVPM program. In her free time, Colleen enjoys competing on the hunter/jumper circuit with her horse Desi and training her 2018 colt Noodle.
Grounds
Ramon Marcos - Grounds
Ramon Marcos ~ Bio
Ramon has been with the hospital since 1990. He is invaluable! He is our “fix it” man as well as being an amazing hand with animals.