Charlene B. Cook, DVM

The daughter of an Air Force navigator Dr. Cook grew up in a military family where families are relocated on a regular basis. The family bounced from Georgia to Massachusetts to Montana & Colorado before finally landing in Georgia. A 1978 honor graduate of Warner Robins High School she was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in pre-veterinary medicine following three years of undergraduate work at the University of Georgia. After an early admission she completed her doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1985. While in veterinary school Dr. Cook developed a special interest in reproduction and spent an externship in central Kentucky where ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis was brand new technology. She was also keen on pediatrics and spent a concentrated block with Dr. Susan White. Working her way through school she held a variety of part-time jobs; training horses for an Atlanta family, flipping hamburgers at McDonalds and large volume food preparation in Bolton Cafeteria at the University of Georgia. Following graduation in 1985 she was employed as an associate veterinarian in mixed practice at Houston Veterinary Clinic in Warner Robins. In 1988 she started her own business Central Georgia Equine Services, Inc., a veterinary practice devoted exclusively to horses.

Dr. Cook is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the Georgia Equine Practitioners Association. Appointed by the Georgia State Veterinarian she served for three years on the Georgia Equine Advisory board. She was then appointed to serve on the Georgia Horse Council.  Elected by the Georgia membership Dr. Cook served two terms on the board of directors of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeder’s & Exhibitor’s Association and spent two years serving on the Breeders committee. In 1996 TWHBEA appointed Dr. Cook to serve on the Equine Viral Arteritis Working Group of the American Horse Council to develop guidelines for the control of this contagious virus. A long time member of the Georgia Walking Horse Exhibitor’s Association, Dr. Cook served several terms on the board of directors.

Married to Fred Cook since 1981 the couple combined their efforts to build CGES. Together they have been breeding, raising and showing Tennessee Walking horses for more than 30 years. In 2003 Dr. Cook’s hard work paid off as she won the English Trail Pleasure World Grand Championship at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration on her Amateur Owned and Trained mare, She’s Legal Tender. When she’s not working Dr. Cook would rather be riding but she is also rumored to enjoy gardening and snow skiing.

Julia C. Fickling, DVM

Teresa Owens

Kelly Canez

You’ll think that you’ve known her all of your life. That’s how comfortable you will feel the first time you meet Kelly Canez. Warm and friendly, Kelly truly loves people and horses. A mother of two, Kelly has raised son’s Anthony and Brandon and now devotes her time to her four legged friends, Scrapper her feisty Jack Russell Terrier, Belladonna a Tennessee Walking Horse mare, and of course to Mike, her husband of over 25 years. Kelly brings a wealth of experience to her position here at CGES. She spent her first 3 years here managing the morning barn crew and is now a technical assistant. Senorita Canez is also quite fluent in Spanish, which is a valuable asset to CGES with the growth of Latino help on many equine facilities. Kelly enjoys barrel racing, fishing and music. She lists The Beatles as her favorite band but just ask her any music trivia question, she’s a whiz! Kelly has recently found a comfortable spot on the back of a Tennessee Walking Horse but she’ll quickly tell you that her heart belongs to a Quarter Horse!

Bethany Inglis

Bethany Inglis is the latest addition to the CGES staff.  A native of Australia, Bethany moved to the United States in 2004 and joined the CGES barn crew in 2005.  After graduating with honors from Houston County High School in 2006, Bethany enrolled at Fort Valley State University majoring in Veterinary Technology.  She took a year hiatus after her freshman year to visit family in her home country of Australia.  Bethany returned to the U.S. in 2008 and is continuing her college education in Veterinary Technology. Bethany has trained in a variety of areas and assists in both office and technical areas. So, if you hear a strange accent on the other end of the phone when you call, that’s Bethany! Bethany and her family share three pets: Bandit, a mixed breed dog they adopted, a grey cat named Misty, and a calico cat named Callie.  In addition to these pets, she also owns a Bearded Dragon named Katara.  Bethany plans to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Technology and then pursue her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine.  She hopes to one day start her own business in the field of Equine Medicine.

William Deese

We call him Superman; he can mend fences, mow pastures, stack hay, pressure wash and repair anything! A Fort Valley native Mr. Deese attended Byron High School before the Army called him to duty. After his military service he gathered extensive experience delivering Propane and driving 18 wheelers. He’s well qualified to drive a horse trailer for us. In 1965 he married his sweetheart Rhonda and the couple raised 2 girls. After 43 years of marriage they now have 5 grandchildren. Retired from the City of Perry Mr. Deese enjoys fishing, hunting and gardening when he’s not rescuing us here at CGES.

Jeremy Miller