Veterinarians and Staff
Lisa Kivett, DVM, MS, DACVIM
owner/ equine medicine specialist / advanced dentistry / reproduction
Dr. Kivett is a North Carolina native with a background riding hunter/jumpers and dressage horses. Dr. Kivett attended NC State University for both undergraduate and veterinary studies. During veterinary school, Dr. Kivett's research focused on equine reproduction and embryo transfer.
Following graduation from NC State in 2007, Dr. Kivett completed a rotating internship in equine medicine and surgery at Louisiana State University, followed by a three-year residency in equine internal medicine at Auburn University. As a resident, Dr. Kivett worked under the guidance of highly-trained specialists to hone her skills in neurology, cardiology, neonatology, gastroenterology, respiratory medicine, musculoskeletal disorders, ultrasound, endoscopy, and more. During that time, she also earned a Masters degree in Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Kivett's Masters thesis involved a prospective scientific study of the effects of phenylbutazone (“Bute”) and firocoxib (“Equioxx) on equine lameness. She obtained board certification from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 2013.
Dr. Kivett is an adjunct professor at NC State University and teaches veterinary students in their final year of training. She is currently a board member for the North Carolina Equine Assisted Specialized Transport and serves as the advisory veterinarian for Sandhills Horse Rescue and NC Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team. Dr. Kivett is an active member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Veterinary Medical Association. She lives with her husband, two children, three dogs, and five horses in Southern Pines. During her free time, she enjoys trail riding and spending time at the beach.
Emma Poole, DVM
sports medicine and general practice / equine chiropractor
Dr. Emma Poole is a graduate of NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine who has been passionate about horses since she was a child. She grew up riding and eventing, and has continued her interest in sport horses as a professional. Dr. Poole’s research with bone marrow-derived stem cells at the Schnabel Equine Sports Medicine Laboratory was recently published in Frontiers Veterinary Research Journal. Her special interests include sports medicine, lameness, preventive care, emergency medicine, and ophthalmology. Dr. Poole is a certified veterinary chiropractor and an FEI permitted treating veterinarian.
Dr. Poole excels in using regenerative therapies and rehab to get injured horses back to doing what they love. Dr. Poole also enjoys taking care of emergencies in the field; she says that being able to bring comfort to both horse and owner is one of the most rewarding things she does.
In her spare time she enjoys competing in Eventing, but is currently on a break from riding since she is expecting a daughter in August of 2022!
Myra Durham, DVM, MS, DACVS
surgery and lameness specialist / acupuncturist
Dr Durham grew up on a farm in Walnut Cove NC, where she was active in youth 4-H showing livestock and horses. She attended North Carolina State University, receiving a BS in biology in 2003 and her doctorate of veterinary medicine in 2007.
Following graduation from veterinary school, Dr. Durham completed five years of additional equine surgical and lameness training at the University of Georgia and Louisiana State University, receiving a masters in veterinary sciences in 2012 and board-certification in Equine Surgery in 2013. Dr. Durham was most recently a faculty surgeon and lameness specialist at NC State University for six years.
Dr. Durham’s primary interests are in orthopedic surgery and advanced lameness diagnostics and treatment. She has published research in orthopedics and fracture repair. Dr. Durham also attended the Chi institute for acupuncture and provides this service in addition to traditional sports medicine and surgery.
In her spare time, Dr. Durham actively competes in hunter/jumpers, and enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and two boxers!
Hannah Hinson, DVM, MS
Podiatry / sports medicine / dentistry
Dr. Hinson is a North Carolina Native from Chapel Hill. She grew up riding and showing hunters in the local and 'A' circuits. She attended North Carolina State University for both undergraduate and veterinary degrees.
Following graduation from veterinary school in 2016, Dr. Hinson completed a field service internship and residency at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. She also completed a Masters in Biomedical and Veterinary Science during her residency. Her research and thesis focused on disease prevalence of Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis in Southwest Virginia.
Dr. Hinson's professional interests include sports medicine, podiatry, and dentistry. She also enjoys developing relationships with her patients and clients through preventative care appointments. Outside of work she enjoys reading, crafting, baking, and spending as much time outside with her retired gelding Bailey.
Emma O’Donnell, RVT
veterinary technician
Kelli Kwapnioski
veterinary assistant
Kelli grew up in Nebraska and began her love affair with horses though the 4-H program. This eventually lead her to get a B.S. in Animal Science specializing in Equine Sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. While she was in college she was a member of the Equestrian Team, Horse Judging Team and an avid member of the UNL Rodeo Association. Her show experience ranges from riding in a variety of western events to carriage driving, along with a few years of hunter under saddle. Kelli is certified in Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue, which in turn has allowed her to be an avid member of the North Carolina Equine Assistance & Specialized Transport team. Kelli has been a team member of Foundation Equine since 2013!
Jennifer Marshall
veterainary assistant
Mackinzie Reeves
client service coordinator
Mackinzie was a veterinary assistant with Foundation Equine for several years until an out-of-state move to be closer to family. We couldn’t possibly part ways with her, so she is now handling much of our administrative work and billing from her home state of Indiana!
Mackinzie and her husband, Devin, welcomed a baby girl named Ivy in July of 2022!