Doctors

Dr. Scott Meyer is our hometown favorite who grew up in Gilbert, Arizona. He is passionate about equine sports medicine and spending time with his family. He graduated from Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences with a bachelor's degree in microbiology, his master's degree in animal anatomy and neurobiology. His externships were focused on sports medicine and surgery in Southern Australia. Dr. Meyer's professional interests include ophthalmology, surgery, sports medicine and anesthesia. He has had the opportunity to work on some elite racehorses such as American Pharoah and California Chrome. In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors which includes golf, fly fishing, hunting and camping with his family. 

 Dr. Casterton grew up in Queen Creek Arizona surrounded by farm animals. Growing up he showed pigs in 4-H until rodeo began to consume his time. He recently graduated from WSU with his DVM as well as got married in May to his beautiful wife Dr. Darryl Casterton. He is excited to return home to begin practicing veterinary medicine and is eager to learn. His passion is in lameness, medicine and reproduction. In his free time he enjoys riding colts, roping, golfing and most of all spending time with family. 

  Dr. Chase Pachner is excited to join the Desert Mountain Equine team and bring his passion for equine medicine to the horses and clients of Queen Creek and beyond. A graduate of Washington State University, Chase has a particular interest in lameness diagnostics and enjoys helping performance horses stay sound and succeed in their disciplines. He takes pride in combining thorough, evidence-based care with a compassionate, down-to-earth approach.

Outside of veterinary work, Chase enjoys an active lifestyle that includes wakeboarding, surfing, mountain biking, and the occasional well-earned nap. He’s a proud husband and father of two, and cherishes time spent with his family when he’s not out on the road treating patients.

 Born and raised in Arizona, Kelly has been part of the equine industry for over 20 years. As our Office Manager, she keeps Desert Mountain Equine running smoothly behind the scenes while also serving as a friendly, familiar face for our clients. From coordinating daily operations to supporting our doctors and team, Kelly helps ensure every visit is organized, efficient, and welcoming.

Known as our “Momma Bear,” Kelly takes pride in looking out for both our staff and our clients. Her caring nature and steady leadership help create the supportive, family-oriented environment we value so much.

Outside of work, Kelly loves spending time with her four boys, cheering them on at football games, and making memories on family trips. In her spare time, she also enjoys crafting and expressing her creative side.

 Born and raised in Gilbert, Arizona, Hailey has had a passion for horses since she began riding at just 9 years old. She moved to Queen Creek in 2016 and went on to attend Pima Medical Institute, where she earned her Associate’s Degree in Animal Science in June 2022. Hailey joined Desert Mountain Equine in April 2022 and has been an integral part of the team ever since.

As our Lead Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) and Inventory Manager, Hailey plays a key role in both patient care and clinic operations. She is dedicated to ongoing professional growth, continually expanding her knowledge and staying current with advancements in veterinary medicine to provide the highest level of care.

Outside of work, Hailey enjoys riding her horse, surfing, tubing at the lake, and most of all, spending time with her family.

  Originally from Amarillo, Texas, Shelby grew up surrounded by horses and the western lifestyle, which naturally led her into the equine veterinary field. She has been actively involved in rodeo and barrel racing for over 12 years, giving her firsthand experience with the demands placed on performance horses and a deep appreciation for their care and wellbeing.

Shelby has been a part of the Desert Mountain Equine team since 2022, where she proudly serves as a veterinary technician. She is passionate about supporting the doctors and clients to ensure every horse receives attentive, high-quality care. She especially values the connection between veterinary medicine and performance and takes pride in helping horses stay healthy, comfortable, and able to do the jobs they love.

Outside of work, Shelby enjoys spending time with her family and friends and continues to compete in barrel racing whenever she can.

  Born and raised in Mesa, Arizona, Melanie comes from a long line of ranchers and has been around horses and livestock her entire life. Growing up in the western lifestyle shaped her strong work ethic and passion for animal care. She competed in barrel racing as a kid and now enjoys team roping, staying active in the rodeo community.

Melanie graduated from the EVIT veterinary program in 2022 and brings hands-on experience and a lifelong understanding of horses to her role at Desert Mountain Equine. When she’s not at the clinic or riding, she enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her family

  Raised in Gilbert, Arizona, Ellie has been around horses on and off her entire life. She began her veterinary journey in high school through the EVIT program and continued her education at Pima Medical Institute, graduating in 2022. Ellie has been part of the Desert Mountain Equine team for three years and is a valued member of our technician staff, bringing dedication and compassion to every patient she works with.

Ellie is married to her husband, Alan, and they share their home with two sweet dogs—and a baby on the way! Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with the people she loves, reading a good book, and making memories with her growing family and animals.

Born and raised in Arizona, Sara Rose has always felt most at home around horses and the outdoors. In 2024, she made the move to Queen Creek and began pursuing her professional education at the Equine Dental School of Texas. She is currently working toward certification through the International Association of Equine Dentistry, with plans to complete the process in the summer of 2026. When she's not with horses, you'll likely find her outdoors with the people she cares about most. Whether its hiking, fishing, camping hunting, or riding dirt bikes, she thrives anywhere there's sunshine, dirt and fresh air.

 Marisol is an equine veterinary assistant with a lifelong passion for horses and equine medicine. She is currently pursuing her education in equine science with the goal of becoming an equine veterinarian. Outside of the clinic, Marisol is dedicated to Escaramuza and cherishes the special bond she shares with her horse, Texas. She is proud to be part of the Desert Mountain Equine team and is committed to providing thoughtful, compassionate care to every horse she works with. 

 Savannah was born and raised in Arizona and spent five years living in San Antonio Texas before moving back to Arizona and recently settling in Queen Creek. She began her career as a veterinary technician in small animal medicine and has since transitioned into large animal care, where her passion truly shines. With a background in barrel racing and pole bending, she has always had a deep love for horses and livestock, and she is dedicated to continuing to grow in the field while providing attentive, compassionate care to every patient she works with. Outside of work, she stays busy with her crazy Australian Shepherd, Smokey, and her cattle dog, Kalli. She loves summertime, swimming, working out, and spending quality time with her family and friends.

 Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Lauren made the move to Arizona in 2018 to attend Central Arizona College, where she competed on the rodeo team while earning her degree in Agriculture Business. During her time at CAC, she also became certified in Equine Massage Therapy, further expanding her hands-on knowledge of equine care.

After graduation, Lauren continued pursuing her passion for horses by attending the Equine Dental School of Texas, where she became an IAED Certified Equine Dental Practitioner. Her diverse background in equine dentistry, bodywork, and agriculture brings a well-rounded perspective to her role at Desert Mountain Equine, where she supports both our technician and front desk teams.

Outside of work, Lauren’s passion for horses continues in the arena, and she enjoys team roping whenever she gets the chance.

  Originally from the mountains of Colorado, Kortney made the move to sunny Arizona in 2021, bringing her love for animals and the western lifestyle with her. With a lifelong passion for rodeo and horses, that background gives her a special connection to the clients and horses we serve every day.

As one of our receptionists, Kortney is often one of the first friendly faces you’ll see or voices you’ll hear. She enjoys helping clients feel welcome and supported, whether she’s scheduling appointments, answering questions, or assisting the team behind the scenes.

Outside of work, Kortney spends most of her time with her horses, her dogs Kingslee and Kaci, and her boyfriend, Chase. Whether it’s trail rides, quiet days at the barn, or simply soaking up the Arizona sunshine, she’s happiest when surrounded by the people and animals she loves.

  Katie is a proud Arizona native with deep roots in the western lifestyle. As both a receptionist and our Marketing Manager, she combines her love for the equine community with her creativity and passion for promoting Desert Mountain Equine. Whether she’s welcoming clients at the front desk or working behind the scenes on branding and outreach, Katie plays an important role in sharing our story and connecting with our community.

She and her husband, Hunter, are raising their son, Creed, while building a life centered around family, rodeo, and the outdoors. In her free time, Katie enjoys barrel racing, roping, and spending time at the lake with loved ones.

Katie is also a passionate advocate for the western way of life and actively promotes its heritage and values through her involvement with the Cowgirls Historical Foundation. She has earned multiple rodeo queen titles, including the prestigious honor of serving as Miss Rodeo Arizona 2018, reflecting her dedication to representing and preserving the sport she loves.