Meet the Piedmont Equine Practice Partner Veterinarians, Associates,
Meet the Veterinarians & Team of The Piedmont Equine Practice in The Plains, VA. We’re pleased to provide exceptional care for your horses.
Ester Atkins
Vet Assistant
Claire Ledbetter
Vet Assistant

Claire was born and raised in Warrenton, Virginia, and has been passionate about horses and riding hunters since she was a child. She loves learning something new every day at work and helping equine patients feel at ease at the clinic.
She attended Virginia Tech for three years and worked towards a degree in animal science with an equine emphasis, before deciding to come home to work and gain experience in the horse world. During her time at VT she rode on both the hunter and western IHSA teams and enjoyed participating in the Equestrian Club and VT Clay Target Club. In her free time, she loves riding, birding, hiking and spending time with her beloved chocolate lab Regina (affectionately called Reggie).
Kyndal Waln
Vet Assistant
Kyndal grew up in southern Fauquier county and has lived there her whole life. She developed a strong interest for horses when she would go to her aunt’s horse farm and help her cousin with the horses. She started getting lessons when she was 8 and did a lot of jumping for four years and then got her own horse.
She wanted to try something new and discovered the western world and started getting barrel racing lessons when she was 14. She absolutely loved it and knew this was what she wanted to do so Kyndal convinced her parents to get another horse suitable for barrel racing. She was an OTTB and she taught her so much about the sport. She ended up selling the mare and got a AQHA gelding and now is training him for barrels.
Kyndal knew she wanted to do something involving horses for a career, so decided to try the medical side of horses and loves being at Piedmont Equine.
In her spare time she likes to hunt, trail ride, and go to the lake with her boyfriend. She has a blue heeler named Boone, who participates in all Kyndal’s adventures!
Gabriela Kazyak
Pharmacy Assistant and Vet Assistant
Gabriela was born in Fairfax Virginia and currently lives in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, with her family and her 2 Vizslas.
Gabriela's equestrian story began in the Netherlands, where as a child she experienced the rich tradition of European horsemanship. Under the guidance of local trainers, she developed a solid foundation in flatwork, jumping technique, and horse management. Returning to the United States, she continued to refine her abilities, ultimately competing successfully in hunter/jumper ring, training off the track thoroughbreds and working as a riding instructor.
Outside of work, Gabriela loves spending time with her dog , Tessa and going on trail rides with friends. She also enjoys road trips and cruises in her Camaro. Gabriela is very excited to be a part of the Piedmont Equine team working as
a pharmacy technician and vet assistant.
Tabitha Palmer
Vet Assistant Supervisor

Tabitha was born and raised in Leesburg, Va. Her parents trained racehorses when she was very young. She grew up going to the track and spending time at the training center in Middleburg. Her first pony was a mini horse by the name of Dynamite she received when she was two. She always been dedicated to a life with horses and has enjoyed them throughout her life. Her father transitioned from trainer to huntsman for the Fairfax Hunt where he was huntsman for 15 years. Tabitha whipped in for him for 9yrs. She helped exercise, train, and care for the horses and hounds. When her father retired, she pursued jobs as a barn manager and worked extensively with foxhunters and racehorses and is a long-time client at Piedmont Equine. She has always been interested in veterinary medicine, so joining Piedmont seemed to be a natural fit to further her education.
Ally Paulette
Vet Assistant
Ally grew up in Hanover, Va where most of her childhood was as a working student for various trainers on the A/AA Hunter/Jumper circuit. As she grew into adulthood she realized she wanted to have a job somewhere in the horse community but wasn't exactly sure which field. When she saw an opening at Piedmont she decided to give it a shot and see if the medical equine field would be something of interest. It didn't take long for her to realize that this was the place she was meant to be, and she hasn't looked back since. Ally is hoping to pursue her Veterinary Technician degree in the future, and when she isn't at work there's a good chance you will find her with her horses. She still loves to participate in the Jumpers and is grateful to work with a group of people who help support her passions.
Caroline Monaco
Vet Assistant
Born and raised in Northern Virginia, horses have been at the center of Caroline’s life for more than 12 years. She began her riding journey in the western discipline before transitioning to hunter/jumpers. In 2021, she purchased a thoroughbred, that she started eventing with. They have been competing and growing together as an eventing team for the past three years.
Caroline grew up working as an equine caretaker at a large facility with more than 40 horses, teaching riding lessons to young riders, and working as an equine summer camp assistant.
She has always been passionate about veterinary medicine and has a strong desire to help care for and improve the lives of equines. One of her favorite parts of working with Piedmont is the opportunity to meet so many wonderful horses and clients while continuing to learn something new every day.
Most of her free time is spent outside, riding her horse, traveling, fishing, hunting, golfing, and going to concerts
Julia Fugate
Vet Assistant
Julia grew up in Loudoun County, VA and has always had a love of horses! As a kid, she would spend all her free time at the barn, learning anything she could about horse care, riding, and even farm management.She now has two horses of her own, and enjoys eventing, fox hunting, and trail riding. While earning her Bachelor’s of Science in Biology at Randolph-Macon College, she also had the privilege of competing as part of their intercollegiate eventing team.
Her interest in veterinary medicine became solidified during high school, when she began shadowing her own vet during summer breaks. Julia joined the Piedmont team to further her knowledge in preparation for applying and hopefully attending vet school in the future. Her favorite parts about working at Piedmont are learning new things every day, being involved with incredible teams to help treat each case that comes in, and to be able to help horses when they need it the most!
Olivia Foglio
Vet Assistant
Olivia was born and raised in Haymarket Virginia, her passion for horses began at a young age thanks to her grandparents, who encouraged her to start riding. Her first heart horse, a pony named Ricky Bobby, taught her so much and sparked a lifelong love for horses and horsemanship. Throughout the years, Olivia enjoyed show jumping, and today she loves pleasure riding and simply spending time caring for the animals she is so passionate about.
Her love for horses naturally grew into an interest in equine medicine, and she's passionate about learning how to provide the best care possible for them. Outside of work, Olivia enjoys spending time with her family and friends and taking every opportunity she can to travel and see the world.


