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, who will be accompanying her to future class sessions.

Deana Weston, EqDT

Deana has been riding and working with horses since she was very young.  She is accomplished in both English and Western, but her passion lies in barrel racing.  Deana is also an accomplished dog handler and groomer.  Deana’s practice is called, “Bit-by-Bit Equine Dentistry.” As a Lead Instructor here at the Midwest Equine Dental Academy, Deana enjoys teaching and training new equine dental students.

Isabella Ankerson, EqDT

Isabella was born and raised on her family farm in Traverse City, MI, and graduated from Michigan State University in equine management.  Now the owner of “ClassicNorth Equine Dentistry, LLC,” she also teaches riding.  She was on the varsity MSU polo team, her high school equestrian team for 7 years, and served on the MSU horse judging team. She shows her horse “Prada,” pictured with her, on the AQHA circuit.  Isabella is one of eight kids and is aunt to nine nieces and nephews.  She loves spending time with her big family and working with horses.  Currently teaching new EqDT students at the Midwest Equine Dental Academy, she is continuing to help horses.

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.

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.

Robert “Sam” Perry, EqDT

Born and raised in a small, rural town in Western Kentucky. Sam attended Oklahoma Horseshoeing school in 2019 with the idea of being able to shoe the horses my family owned. It grew into a business, and he pursued a full-time career as a blacksmith and farrier in 2022.  The area Sam lives in has very few farriers or dental technicians, so he decided to attend the Midwest Equine Dental Academy in May 2023 to further expand his business, “Iron Water Equine.”  Since attending the Academy, he has had the opportunity to work with many horses and clients, sharing the importance of proper dental health and hoof care.

Charlie Iddings, EqDT

While being raised with horses and other livestock on his grandparents’ farm, Charlie developed an interest in the horse industry; he has shown horses since 1983.  He enjoys helping others with their horses and educating people about the importance of equine dental care.   In addition to his practice as an EqDT, Charlie is a teacher’s aide working with mentally and physically challenged children, seeing valuable similarities with working with horses: patience, kindness, and learning all help to breach a language barrier and are necessary to form pathways to communication.  At age 61, Charlie came to the Midwest Equine Dental Academy and became an EqDT.  He now has a small client list and is adding to it every month.

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.

Kendra Talley, EqDT

Kendra Talley was born and raised in Missouri, which is where she currently resides with her husband and their blended family.  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.