Staff
 |
Charlene B. Cook, DVMThe 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. Back to Top |
 |
Catherine L. HallDVM Georgia native, Dr. Catherine Hall spent much of her childhood in Athens, GA, where she was first inspired by the grand columns of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Hall began riding and caring for horses at an early age. She worked at a local stable with the hopes of buying her favorite mount, Polly. A frequent volunteer at her local veterinary clinic Catherine decided early on that she would pursue a career in veterinary medicine. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science in 1999 from Berry College, in Rome GA. While completing her undergraduate degree she gained valuable experience working at the beef and dairy cattle facilities. She also competed in western pleasure events for the Berry College Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Equestrian Team. Following graduation she returned to Athens where she worked at Mars Hill Animal Hospital, a small animal practice, for nine years as a veterinary technician. During this time she gained valuable skills in patient care and client service, which she remains devoted to today. In 2005 Dr. Hall was accepted in to the class of 2009 at the University Of Georgia College Of Veterinary Medicine. As a veterinary student she was active in the student chapter of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. A familiar face in the Large Animal Teaching Hospital, Catherine worked as a member of the Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing Team and as a hospital treatment technician. During her fourth year of veterinary school, Dr. Hall selected the equine clinical track, which focused her studies in equine medicine, surgery, lameness, dentistry, and theriogenology (reproduction). She broadened her experience by participating in externships at Texas A&M Veterinary School and Cornell University. Following graduation Dr. Hall was accepted into the Large Animal Ambulatory and Theriogenology Internship Program at the University of Georgia. The year-long internship has given Dr. Hall a broad range of experience in equine (and food animal) medicine, surgery, and lameness. It has also afforded her the opportunity to pursue her special interest in equine dentistry and reproductive medicine, working with renowned specialists in the field Dr. Michael Lowder and Dr. Fayer-Hosken. When not hard at work Dr. Hall enjoys spending time with her animals. She is particularly proud of her Quarter Horse mare, Sage, who recently had her first foal. Dr. Hall also enjoys trail riding and hiking. With tow dogs and five cats the entire Hall family is excited about the move to Central Georgia, and Dr. Hall is thrilled to join a high-quality equine practice in such a beautiful area. Back to Top |
 |
Julia C. Fickling, DVMmiddle Georgia native, Julia was born and raised in Macon. She attended Stratford Academy and enjoyed riding American Saddlebred Horses. Julia attended the University of Georgia and received her degree in Art with an emphasis in drawing and painting in 1987. But Julia has always loved horses and she graduated from the prestigious Colorado State University with her DVM in 1997. Following graduation Julia was employed at Central Georgia Equine Services as an associate veterinarian. Julia was intrigued by Eastern Medicine and she completed the rigorous International Veterinary Acupuncture Society course in Acupuncture and Adjunctive Therapies. Julia married her sweetheart Bryan in 2000 and has been very busy raising their 3 boys. Along the way she has worked in a mixed practice at Plantation Animal Clinic in Macon. Julia has been active in community service in a variety of positions and currently serves on the board of directors for the Children’s Hospital at the Medical Center of Central Georgia. Julia will quickly tell you that her family comes first but when she’s got a few minutes she enjoys show skiing, riding her American Saddlebred Horses and working with the newest addition to the farm, her Shire yearling. Back to Top |
 |
Teresa OwensSecretary/Receptionist The love of horses brought Teresa Owens to CGES three years ago to work as our Secretary/Receptionist. Growing up in Ohio, Teresa started showing in lead-line classes when she was four years old with her sister Ronnie. Teresa and Ronnie were high point winners in their saddle club for three consecutive years. Teresa competed in 4-H with her Morgan/cross horse and in parade classes with her Hackney ponies. It was during this time that her family began raising and showing Morgan Horses on a Regional level. Teresa and her family moved to Warner Robins when she was fourteen and she continued showing her Morgan horses in Park classes. Teresa graduated from Northside High School and took on her toughest job as wife, mother and homemaker. Currently Teresa is a single mom raising 2 children: 8 year old daughter Taylor is already showing all the signs of “horse fever”. Her 18 year old son Cody is a graduate of Perry High School and attending college to pursue a coaching career. They have one cat named Ginger. In her spare time, Teresa enjoys going to Perry High School football games, reading mystery novels, collecting Breyer horse models, antique “browsing”, and watching football on television. Back to Top |
 |
Kelly CanezTechnical Assistant 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! Back to Top |
 |
William DeeseGroundskeeper 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. Back to Top |