Meet the Team

Brandy Ashman

DVM, Owner

Dr. Brandy Ashman grew up on a family farm in Eastern North Carolina. She knew from an early age that she wanted to pursue her dream of becoming an equine veterinarian. Her Grandfather was a quarter horse training and stallion owner in Eastern Carolina. She has been working in the field of veterinary medicine since the age of 13. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science in 2002 and graduated with honors from the prestigious North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. Dr. Ashman remained focused on horses throughout veterinary school.

After graduating and moving to Virginia, she developed a special interest in chiropractic and graduated from animal chiropractic school in 2008. After successfully completing the course in both small and large animal chiropractics, she received her certification from the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association. Providing chiropractic care early on in her career opened Dr. Ashman’s eyes to body lameness. Despite her experience in diagnosing and treating lameness in performance horses, there were still several cases that remained unsolved.

Dr. Ashman eventually found Dr. Audrey DeClue of DeClue Equine and Dr. Kate Workman with Denali Equine. These doctors were working together to solve the mysteries of body lameness. Dr. Ashman reached out to Dr. Workman and began training with her to treat these cases in Virginia. Dr. Ashman’s passion for this job has been reignited by body lameness. She has a special interest in behavioral horses and enjoys unraveling the puzzle that comes with each new horse she sees. She believes in a whole-horse approach and can provide the care these horses need from start to finish.

Dr. Ashman dreamed of practice ownership and began Hoofbeats Equine Service, LLC in 2009. She strives to treat your family as if you were her own. Dr. Ashman’s four-legged family includes 3 dogs and 1 cat, Boop, Stinky Leg, Pebbles, and Cricket. She also currently owns 1.25 horses, 1 paint horse named Mo, and a miniature horse named Rooster. She and her husband Dusty have 2 children, Bronson and Thistle Jane. Dr. Ashman enjoys family time, weightlifting, and hunting in her free time.

Melissa Smith

Associate Veterinarian

From her earliest memories, Dr. Smith has always known that she wanted to be a veterinarian. She was bitten by the horse bug by age 2 and has been involved with them ever since. After working with horses and veterinarians through high school and college, she was accepted by North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine to pursue her dream of becoming an equine veterinarian. Dr. Smith graduated from NCSU with a BS in Animal Science in 2002 and continued to vet school, graduating from NCSU CVM with Dr. Ashman in 2006. She then completed a surgical internship at Rhinebeck Equine in NY in 2007.

After her internship, Dr. Smith worked in a mixed animal practice in southern Virginia caring for large animals, and then a predominantly small animal clinic in western NC improving her surgical skills. She has returned to Virginia to continue to care for equine patients. Her interests include surgery, both large and small animals, ophthalmology, and nutrition.

When not at work, Dr. Smith can be found at the barn riding or driving her draft crosses, Ash and Elf, or trail riding her mule, Henry. She also has two dogs, Finn and Radar, and several cats (but not quite enough to qualify as a crazy cat lady). She enjoys traveling, photography, and unwinding with yoga.

Tina Chavis

Veterinary Assistant

Tina Chavis, otherwise known as “T-Bird,” realized her love for horses at age 12 when learning to ride on a neighbor’s horse. Tina’s family began representing the Native American population by dressing in custom Native attire and riding their horses in local parades. Her love of horses continued as she began to pursue a career as a veterinary assistant. She has been working with Hoofbeats Equine for nearly two decades. Everyone knows T for the goodies she gives out to the horse clients. She currently has 4 horses of her own. Tina has a special interest in Foundation Quarter Horses and bloodlines. She enjoys trail riding and cooking in her free time.

Angela Morris

Office Manager

Angela was born in Lynchburg Va and grew up in Chesterfield Va. Thanks to her family, her love affair with horses began around age 4. She began showing in local shows at age 5. As she got older, she would spend her summers back in Lynchburg with family showing in Western Pleasure and Game Classes. She currently has three-quarter horses, Kruzie, Poco, and Bill and she also has a mini named Little D. She currently enjoys taking her horses on trail rides and trail competitions. After working in the medical field for 20 years she decided she wanted to work in the animal health field. In addition to her love of horses, she adores her dogs, cats, chickens, and turkeys. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.

Ann Bradshaw

Relationship Specialist

Ann Bradshaw dedicated her life to human psychology. She practiced for many years in Atlanta and eventually moved on to teaching at Longwood University and VCU. After retiring to her nearby farm and adopting many rescue horses, she has an even deeper understanding of the power that horses have to heal humans. She is amazed at the sanctity that comes from understanding how human brains can connect with the majestic equine brain to enhance the quality of the horse’s life. Ann also enjoys sharing her love of horses with her Granddaughter. As our relationship specialist, Ann will be working with your horse at Hoofbeats Retirement Center to make sure your horse continues to feel the love they deserve.

Julie Penny

Office Assistant, Laser Tech

Julie grew up loving all animals. She rode horses occasionally as a child and fulfilled her dream of owning her first horse in 2008. Her equine herd has expanded from 1 horse to 4. She worked for a veterinarian in high school and loved every minute. She retired from years of service as a 911 dispatcher. Julie has many other species at her farm. Her compassion for animals and humans is apparent when you meet her