Our Staff

Douglas K. Daniels, DVM: Owner

Dr. Daniels was born in December of 1967 in Medicine Lodge, Kansas.  He was raised in Beloit, a small farming community in north central Kansas, by a family with a strong background in Thoroughbred racing.  His father is the manager of an agricultural finance service and his mother is a high school teacher of 30+ years.  He graduated from Beloit High School as the president of the Beloit Chapter of the FFA and an active participant in several disciplines of sports.

In 1987, Dr. Daniels began his undergraduate education at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. Prior to completing his undergraduate degree in animal science, he was granted early admission into the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn; he eagerly accepted and enrolled in 1990.  During his four year tenure as a veterinary student, Doug received numerous scholarships and awards for his academic and diagnostic excellence in equine medicine.  He became a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1993 when he graduated Cum Laude from his alma mater.

Manor Equine Hospital in Monkton, Maryland selected Dr. Daniels in 1993 for an internship in equine surgery and medicine.  He resided there for a year before moving to Manakin-Sabot, Virginia, where he was hired by Virginia Equine Clinic as an associate veterinarian specializing in equine sports medicine and lameness.  He eventually purchased the practice in 1997.

Among his numerous credentials, Dr. Daniels has been named the official equine veterinarian for the Virginia State Fair.  He is also an official veterinarian for the National Steeplechase Association.   He has previously served in an advisory position for the Virginia Horse Racing Commission on the development of official medication regulations.  Dr. Daniels is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, and the Virginia Association of Equine Practitioners.  He has gained the trust and respect of the hundreds of clients with whom he works with his diagnostic excellence, his humanistic approach, and his unwavering commitment to his patients and his practice.

Virginia M. DeChant, DVM: Associate

Dr. DeChant completed her undergraduate studies in equine science at Otterbein College.  She later graduated from Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001.  After graduating, Dr. DeChant moved to Warrenton, Virginia and worked as both an equine ambulatory practitioner and an equine specialist for a feed manufacturer. 

She joined Virginia Equine in January 2005 as the clinic barn manager, where her responsibilities included overseeing the care of inpatient horses, broodmares, and boarders as well as collecting the stallions managed by the clinic. In March 2006 Dr. DeChant switched to an ambulatory associate’s position though she continues to work with the stallions and the foaling duties.

Heather D. Caplan, DVM: Associate

Dr. Caplan was born in Miami Beach, Florida and lived in South Florida until she and her family moved to Toms River, New Jersey when she was a freshman in high school.  While living in New Jersey Heather began working at Walnridge Farm, a standardbred breeding facility and veterinary hospital.  She completed her undergraduate studies at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida.  Upon completion of her undergraduate degree in Biology she attended Drexel University in Philadelphia graduating with a Masters in Laboratory Animal Medicine.  Heather was then accepted to veterinary school at the University of Florida. 

While at UF she was a foal technician in the neonatal foal unit.  She then accepted and completed an internship in Medicine and Surgery at Manor Equine Hospital in Monkton, Maryland before becoming an associate at Virginia Equine PLLC.  Heather’s equine interests include lameness, wound management, colic, and surgery. 

In her free time Heather enjoys running, biking, decorating cakes, watching college sports and reading.  She has competed in several triathlons and completed the Baltimore Marathon in 2006 and hopes to complete another in the fall in less time.

Karen Fowler:  Farm and Clinic Barn Manager

Karen was born in Richmond and has spent her life involved with horses.  She has been competing since she was a child in the hunter, jumper, and eventing disciplines.  Karen spent 6 years working on a race farm where she cared for, rehabilitated, and exercised racehorses.  During college, Karen spent 2 ½ years as a working student for an international show and sales barn.  Karen was also an officer on the Board of Directors of Radtech Equine Corporation, a not-for-profit corporation set up to manage and maintain the intercollegiate riding teams and stables for Virginia Tech and Radford University. 

In 1994, Karen graduated from Radford University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and Physical Science.  Karen is also a graduate H-A from the United States Pony Club. Karen has several years experience as a vet tech and a pharmacy technician.  She has managed and trained for both large and small boarding and training barns in the Richmond area.  When she’s away from the farm, Karen keeps busy with her daughter, Hannah, as well as teaching riding lessons and showing hunters and jumpers. 

Brenda Blevins: Office Staff

Brenda Blevins is an important part of our business.  She handles all of the scheduling, ordering supplies, sterilizing equipment, and paperwork.  A longtime resident of Goochland, Brenda has been with Virginia Equine since its very beginning.  She can answer almost any question a client asks, and if not, she can find the person who will.

Brenda has a soft spot for dogs and cats, and often has a rescue or two or three under her wing.

Andy Clarkson: Jack of All Trades

Andy was born in Richmond and grew up in Sandston. He attended Varina High School, Hampden-Sydney College , and VCU. He currently lives in Midlothian along with his two sons. Away from work, you are most likely to find Andy hunting, fishing, or involved in a sporting activity with his kids.

Andy joined Virginia Equine in July of 1999 after twelve years in the jewelry industry. Initially Andy came to help with the restoration of the stables and grounds at Deep Run Hunt and the conversion of the Whip’s House to an office. He decided to stay on since there always seemed to be new projects on the to do list.

These days Andy’s duties include the bookkeeping, maintaining the computer and telephone systems, as well as answering the phones and scheduling. He is also the resident plumber, electrician, equipment repairman, etc.

Lyne Minardi: Dr. Daniels' Assistant

Lyne was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia.  She grew up riding show hunters and was third in the country with her medium pony (Rain Beau Connection).  Lyne and her mother own beautiful Thoroughbred horses including a new addition to the family, Magnolia, born at Virginia Equine this year.  During high school Lyne rode along with Dr. Daniels and enjoyed it so much that she decided to make it a career. 

Lyne has been Doug's assistant since the Spring of 2007.  She spends her free time with her dog Henri and her cat Miss B.

Whitney Ciampa: Office Staff

A Richmond native, Whitney started riding horses at age 5 and has been riding ever since.  She has owned her current horse Cutter for 15 years.  They competed in Hunters, Show Jumping, Eventing and were members of Deep Run Hunt Pony Club.  Whitney attended Sweet Briar College where she rode and graduated with a Degree in Biology.  She lives in the Museum District with her husband, Dave and their two dogs Siena and Roma. 

Whitney works in the office, rides along with Dr. Caplan and Dr. DeChant and helps maintain the website. 

Possum: Dr. Daniels's New Associate

Possum is an Australian Cattle Dog from California.  He resides with Dr. Daniels and his big sister Chloe (Doug's aging Golden Retriever).  

Possum rides along in the vet truck and assists in customer relations.  In his spare time, he enjoys consuming large quantities of hoof trimmings.

Shady Lady aka Back in Black

A beloved retired Show/Fox Hunter and broodmare.  Shady has earned her position as the Clinic's mascot.  She is a long time resident of Manakin Sabot.