The Midwest Equine Dental Academy instructors are skilled EqDT practitioners and veterinarians who welcome the opportunity to instruct our students. Our hands-on environment and small instructor-to-student ratio provides individual attention. Because of Dr. Hildebrand’s valuable relationship with horse owners in the area, our students are able to explore the dental requirements of several hundred live horses. This gives students valuable experience while working alongside some of the best equine dentistry trainers available.
Ron Hildebrand, DVM
“Doc” is the founder of the Midwest Equine Dental Academy, which began in 2003. After graduating from the University of Michigan as an undergrad, Doc joined the Peace Corps and worked as a Volunteer in Quito, Ecuador, in the early 1970’s. After several years living with horses of all kinds, Doc’s interest in Veterinary Medicine led to him attending Virginia Tech to achieve his DVM. As a practicing Veterinarian with special interest in Equine Medicine, Doc owned and operated the All Equine Clinic, the only practice in the area to specialize in horses only. He soon saw the need for qualified Equine Dental Technicians in the Mid-Michigan area, where there are an estimated 35,000 horses. As the Academy grew, the school began to attract horse-lovers wanting to pursue this career path from around the country and the world. Watching this program grow over the years has been a source of satisfaction to Ron as he continues to provide a healthier life for horses everywhere.
Leah Reid, DVM
Once a student here at the Midwest Equine Dental Academy, and now a new addition to our team, Dr. Leah has come on board as an associate to Dr. Hildebrand. A busy Veterinarian in a mixed animal medical center in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Leah comes to Mt. Pleasant twice a year to assist in teaching and apprenticeship work. Leah grew up in the thumb of Michigan, where she developed her love for animals, particularly horses, very early in life. She attended Northern Michigan University for undergraduate and graduate studies and received her DVM from Michigan State University in 2018. Leah is passionate about all animal medicine but is most excited about prolonging horses’ lives through preventive dentistry. The newest additions to Leah’s life are twins Marie Grace and Alice Rose, and their sister Olive Lynn, who will frequently be accompanying her to future class sessions.
Starr Brown, EqDT
Starr was born and raised on her family farm in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, and graduated from Lamar Community College in Equine Business Management. She was on her college rodeo team, and in high school rodeoed in Michigan. Then she competed in “National Little Britches Rodeo” in Kansas where she was a national qualifier. A Lead Instructor here at the Midwest Equine Dental Academy, Starr always enjoys coming back to teach in the program. A successful EqDT, she runs a busy practice called “Open Wide Equine Dentistry,” which is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and provides services throughout the Upper and Northern Lower Peninsulas of Michigan. Outside of dentistry she enjoys working with young horses.
Kendra Talley, EqDT
Kendra Talley was born and raised in Missouri, which is where she currently resides. A Registered Nurse (RN) with Level III Certification for Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy for humans and animals, as well as a Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist (CESMT) with a specialization in equine care, Kendra is also a Farrier AF-I and became an Equine Dental Technician (EqDT) at MEDA, Fall 2023.
Kendra’s business focuses primarily on donkeys at Peaceful Pastures Donkey Rescue, where she provides all farrier and dental technician services for 300 donkeys and for the general public. As a life-long horse owner, Kendra is passionate about equine health and wellness, and she strives to provide top-notch care for all animals. Kendra enjoys teaching and sharing her knowledge with students at the Midwest Equine Dental Academy.
Cody Smith, EqDT
A popular instructor, Cody takes a charming Southern approach to interactions with students and horse owners. At home in Kentucky, Cody owns “C. S. Equine Dentistry,” a thriving one-person equine dentistry business. He takes special interest in young horses, getting them started on a healthy course from a young age. Cody’s knowledge about horses covers much more than dentistry, and he is always willing to point out and explain any aspects of horse ownership and care.
Tatum Brown, EqDT
Tatum graduated from Midwest Equine Dental Academy in fall 2023 and now runs Cactus Equine Dentistry. Born and raised in Arizona, she grew up riding in gymkhanas and barrel races, later competing in western showmanship during college. She’s worked as a wrangler in Colorado and managed a barn at a therapeutic riding center. Tatum is passionate about equine dentistry and loves helping horse owners understand the importance of proper dental care.
Brooklyn Bryson, EqDT
Having resided in various locations across the United States, Brooklyn considers Michigan home. With a background in equestrian activities, she was raised in an environment surrounded by horses.
Brooklyn holds an associate’s degree in veterinary technology, and her passion lies in equine care. She trains horses across multiple disciplines and provides riding lessons, with a particular expertise in developing reliable trail horses. Additionally, she practices equine dentistry under the name Lucky Horse Equine Dentistry and Relief. She intends to further her education by pursuing a certification in equine massage therapy. In her leisure time, she enjoys spending moments with family and friends, particularly engaging in trail riding. Her goals are to one day be educated in all horse studies and care.
Betsy Berriman, Administrative Assistant
Although not a horsewoman (yet), Betsy is the one who keeps the office part of the school up and running. After being a professor at CMU for 30 years, she retired in 2020 to work with Doc at MEDA, where she is still able to help students become educated so they can achieve their goals.
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