Dr. Omar Maher
Dover, NH/Wellington, FL
BOARD CERTIFIED IN SURGERY, ACVS
BOARD CERTIFIED IN SPORTS MEDICINE & REHABILITATION, ACVSMR
Dr. Maher graduated veterinary school in Morocco in 2002, and shortly after was recruited at the National Veterinary School of Lyon (FRANCE) for a year internship in equine medicine and surgery. He joined the previous Rochester Equine Clinic (NH USA) in 2003 as an intern for a year, then as a hospital clinician for another year. He was then selected to start a very competitive residency in Equine Surgery and Lameness at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis, CA, USA) for 3 more years.
He joined the New England Equine Medical and Surgical Center (NH USA) in 2008 and during his 5-year tenure developed a brilliant international reputation as a surgeon and lameness diagnostician.
He was the staff surgeon for the Pan-American Games in Guadalajara Mexico in 2011 and is an FEI veterinarian for several competitions and Nations cup both in Dressage and Jumping.
Dr. Maher speaks regularly at veterinary conferences both nationally and internationally; he often consults on cases from several countries including Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, The Netherlands, France, and Morocco.
He enjoys showjumping and will often be seen in the ring showing his horses. He is always available for consultations by phone and email.
Dr. Kate Britton
Dover, NH/Wellington, FL
VETERINARIAN – SPORTS MEDICINE
Dr. Kate Britton grew up in Virginia where she graduated from the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and completed her internship at New England Equine Medical and Surgical Center.
For six years, she worked exclusively in the field of equine sports medicine, working under the legendary Dr. John Steele.
Dr. Britton brings her expertise and experience in sports medicine, her comprehensive knowledge of equine medicine, and her skillset in acupuncture. She is widely respected by her clients and the equestrian community, and is sought after for her equine lameness knowledge.
Outside of work, she loves being a mom to her three adorable children and spending time with her horse, Destinio.
Dr. Jacqueline Bartol
Dover, NH
BOARD CERTIFIED IN INTERNAL MEDICINE, ACVIM
Dr. Jacqueline Bartol grew up on Long Island, NY, with a love of animals and a dream to become a veterinarian from a very young age. Horses were her passion and she became a horse owner at age 10. Jackie and Sunny made a great team, competing in equitation, hunter/jumpers, and fox hunting.
Jackie’s dream of becoming a veterinarian was realized when she graduated with a DVM from Cornell University in 1996. An internship in equine medicine and surgery at Rochester Equine Clinic brought her to New Hampshire, which fostered her desire to ultimately live and practice in New England. After completing a residency at Cornell and receiving board certification in Large Animal Internal Medicine in 2000, Dr. Bartol returned to NH and Rochester Equine Clinic, where she spent 5 years as REC’s internal medicine specialist.
In 2005, she left REC to help found and develop New England Equine Medical & Surgical Center in Dover, NH. There, she spent 10 years diagnosing and treating equine patients for conditions including colic, gastric ulcers, respiratory disease, dermatology problems and neurologic disorders.
When not practicing veterinary medicine, she practices yoga and enjoys hiking, biking, and walking her dogs in the great outdoors of New England. Dr. Bartol gratefully joins her colleagues at Atlantic Equine Services to take her expertise in internal medicine on the road in NH, ME, MA, CT and NY.
Dr. Christine Cormier
Dover, NH/Wellington, FL
VETERINARIAN – SPORTS MEDICINE
Dr. Christine Cormier was born in Ontario, Canada, and grew up in Michigan where she began riding at the age of just three years old, enjoying both dressage and three-day eventing. She completed her undergraduate degree in Animal Science at Michigan State University and attended Ross University for her veterinary degree.
Following graduation, Dr. Christine completed an internship in Kentucky where she gained extensive training in all aspects of equine practice. She is certified by the Chi University in equine acupuncture. In 2016, Dr. Christine joined Atlantic Equine Services as a Sports Medicine Fellow and continues with the practice as an Associate Veterinarian.
Dr. Austin Stahl
Dover, NH/Wellington, FL
VETERINARIAN – SPORTS MEDICINE
Dr. Austin Stahl was born and raised in southern New Hampshire. Always having a passion for horses, he began riding and competing at an early age in the hunter/jumper discipline. He attended the University of New Hampshire, majoring in Animal Science. After his undergraduate studies, Dr. Stahl completed his veterinary degree at the University of Pennsylvania. Following graduation, he completed a rotating internship at Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center in Ringoes, NJ.
Dr. Stahl has a long history with Atlantic Equine Services as he previously worked with us as a technician, and returned as our 2022-2023 Sports Medicine Fellow. He is passionate about equine medicine and is eager to advance his skills in sports medicine and rehabilitation. Dr. Stahl been an avid show jumper his entire life, and in his spare time he works hard to bring along his young jumper, Violet. When not at work or the barn, Dr. Stahl can be found doing various restoration projects, skiing, and spending time with his dog, Rosie.
Dr. Kaitlin Frei
Dover, NH/Wellington, FL
SPORTS MEDICINE FELLOW
Dr. Kaitlin Frei was born and raised in the Chicago area. She grew up riding and competing in the hunters. She completed her undergraduate degree in Biology at University of Notre Dame, where she was also on the varsity track and cross country teams.
After attending the University of Pennsylvania for her veterinary degree, she completed an internship at Equine Athlete, focusing on Arabian show horses. She then worked as an associate veterinarian for Dr. Timothy Ober at John R. Steele & Associates. In her free time, she enjoys training for marathons, road biking, swimming, reading, and trail riding her retired mare, Sadie.
Johanna Pedersen
Veterinary Technician
Johanna joined our team following completing her Master of Science in Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Johanna has always had a passion for horses and began riding at an early age in the hunter/jumper discipline and later became actively involved in the sport of polo.
Prior to completing her Master of Science, Johanna’s career had been in brand management for ten years primarily in pharmaceutical companies working in over-the-counter analgesics, wound care, medical devices, and vitamins and dietary supplements; and in the food industry marketing mass consumer brands.
Johanna also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida. She earned undergraduate degrees in a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts & Design from James Madison University.
Bailey Welch
Veterinary Technician
Bailey Welch grew up in Jackson, Mississippi. From a young age, she developed an interest in riding and caring for horses. Prior to joining Atlantic Equine, Bailey worked at a hunter and jumper barn outside of New Orleans, LA where she enjoyed all aspects of the care and management of sport horses. Outside of work, she enjoys taking her Catahoula Leopard dog on walks on the beach and in the great outdoors.
Gianna Avery
Veterinary Technician
Gianna Avery grew up in Scarborough, Maine and her passion for horses began at an early age. At just four-years-old, she began riding. Her early experiences were in eventing; and soon thereafter, she became involved in the dressage discipline. Gianna holds USDF bronze and silver medals from 2021 and 2022.
Gianna has experience working as an assistant trainer and as an FEI groom. She has participated in educational programs to further her training experiences as well as her barn management and ownership knowledge. Gianna moved to Florida full time in 2023, and has integrated her love of horses into her enjoyment of photography outside of work. She owns two retired horses and adores her dachshund puppy.
Tammy Bernhardt
CHT-V, Office Manager
Tammy is the Florida Office Manager at Atlantic Equine. She is a board-certified hyperbaric technologist and has become integral to the daily functions at Atlantic Equine in every way. After working at Reid and Associates Equine Clinic for 17 years she joined Atlantic Equine with extensive experience and compassion. She provides above and beyond care as a technician, equine physical therapist, and office manager. Outside of work she enjoys camping with her family and spending time with her dogs (Charlie, Carlos) and her cat, Cheeto.
Jackie Gilbert
Office Manager
Jackie is the New England Office Manager at Atlantic Equine. She has a BS in Animal Science with a concentration in Equine, as well as a Master’s Degree in Teaching from UNH. Jackie has been riding since she was 10 and has trained/owned many horses over the last 20+ years. Jackie primarily competes in Eventing and prides herself in bringing along young horses. She currently has her horses at her farm in Barrington and an adorable Pomeranian, Dori.