Veterinarians
Robin Barrow, DVM
Dr. Barrow with the much-loved Sterling Assets.
Dr. Barrow was born and raised in the bluegrass of Bowling Green, Kentucky. She attended Western Kentucky University, concentrating on Biochemistry and Animal Science (Equine Emphasis, of course). She was accepted to the Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2000. At Auburn, she was active with the student chapter of AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners) and was instrumental in establishing the Auburn University Equestrian Team, which has grown to become an NCAA team with several National titles under its belt. Upon graduation she was named AUCVM Equine Student of the Year and traveled to the renowned Elgin Veterinary Hospital in Texas for an equine internship. While at Elgin, Dr. Barrow learned from Dr. Bob Lewis, a past president of the AAEP. The case load was heavy on Lameness, Sports Medicine and Surgery.
Dr. Barrow moved to Georgia after her graduation and internship and spent four years in mixed animal practice, concentrating heavily on equine reproduction and lameness. In March of 2004, Dr. Barrow opened Barrow Veterinary Service as a small equine ambulatory service. It has now grown into a full service equine practice, offering hospitalization, reproductive services, and surgery in addition to farm calls.
When she has spare time, Dr. Barrow shows American Quarter Horses. Her most famous horse was Sterling Assests, a western all-around horse with Superiors in both Trail and Western Riding. In 2013, Dr. Barrow and Sterling won the prestigious Novice Championships in Trail. After Sterling came the incredibly talented Heza Blazin Machine (GusGus), who was sadly lost in December of 2022 when complications from emergency colic surgery became too overwhelming. With the shoes of two amazing horses to try and fill, hopeful champion Follow Me (Keys) is currently in training and is showing incredible promise!
When she is not showing, Dr. Barrow is active in the Georgia Quarter Horse Association, and is both a past and the current President of the state AQHA affiliate. She chairs the Big A Show Committee, a nationally-renowned show that is continuously on the map as one of AQHA's top 5 shows. She also serves AQHA nationally as a member of the Show Committee (chairing a subcommittee), the AQHA Show Council, and the AQHA Animal Welfare Commission.
While it seems Quarter Horses take up all her extra energy, Dr. Barrow's real love is her daughter Emma, who has turned Dr. Barrow into a Horse Show Mom at IEA, GJHA, USHJA, and USEF competitions. Emma owns and shows "Unexpected (Uno)," a young Westphalian gelding, with Dr. Barrow happily serving as chauffer, cheerleader, groom, and gopher.
Dr. Barrow moved to Georgia after her graduation and internship and spent four years in mixed animal practice, concentrating heavily on equine reproduction and lameness. In March of 2004, Dr. Barrow opened Barrow Veterinary Service as a small equine ambulatory service. It has now grown into a full service equine practice, offering hospitalization, reproductive services, and surgery in addition to farm calls.
When she has spare time, Dr. Barrow shows American Quarter Horses. Her most famous horse was Sterling Assests, a western all-around horse with Superiors in both Trail and Western Riding. In 2013, Dr. Barrow and Sterling won the prestigious Novice Championships in Trail. After Sterling came the incredibly talented Heza Blazin Machine (GusGus), who was sadly lost in December of 2022 when complications from emergency colic surgery became too overwhelming. With the shoes of two amazing horses to try and fill, hopeful champion Follow Me (Keys) is currently in training and is showing incredible promise!
When she is not showing, Dr. Barrow is active in the Georgia Quarter Horse Association, and is both a past and the current President of the state AQHA affiliate. She chairs the Big A Show Committee, a nationally-renowned show that is continuously on the map as one of AQHA's top 5 shows. She also serves AQHA nationally as a member of the Show Committee (chairing a subcommittee), the AQHA Show Council, and the AQHA Animal Welfare Commission.
While it seems Quarter Horses take up all her extra energy, Dr. Barrow's real love is her daughter Emma, who has turned Dr. Barrow into a Horse Show Mom at IEA, GJHA, USHJA, and USEF competitions. Emma owns and shows "Unexpected (Uno)," a young Westphalian gelding, with Dr. Barrow happily serving as chauffer, cheerleader, groom, and gopher.
Chase Connelly, DVM
Dr. Chase Connelly was born in Jacksonville, Florida, but moved to Georgia shortly thereafter, where he was introduced to horses at the age of 9. Since then, his family has owned and operated 2 farms, one of which remains a boarding facilty today. He has had many four-legged furry friends over the years, but found a particular bond with his family’s horses: Cole, Mack, Miles, Ike, and Piper. He has learned about and performed in most styles of riding, but he cut his teeth in Three-Day Eventing with his OTTB Ike. Dr. Connelly attended the University of Georgia in Athens, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Cellular Biology, a Bachelor’s and a Master's Degree in Animal and Dairy Science, (emphasis on equine sports management). After completing his Master’s Degree in 2018, he was accepted into the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine. While attending UGA CVM, Dr. Connelly authored his first paper on equine peripheral blood mononuclear cell isolation in the Journal of Immunology and Immunopathology in 2020. He also assisted in two other research projects involving dogs and pigs. He continued his studies in equine sports management throughout his Veterinary education, with a particular interest in surgery, lameness, and anesthesia. In May of 2022, Dr. Connelly graduated from UGA as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, earning an award for proficiency in large animal surgery and internal medicine. After graduating from UGA CVM, Dr. Connelly completed an internship at a private equine hospital, honing his skills in general medicine and surgery. He joined Barrow Veterinary Services as an associate Veterinarian shortly after completing his internship. Dr. Connelly is always excited for the next case, enjoys making connections with both horse and client, and would like to further his knowledge in not only equine medicine, but how a small business operates and influences the community that it serves. Dr. Connelly spends his personal time with his college sweetheart (and now wife), Olivia, who has been by his side since 2010. He also enjoys obstacle course races, video games, and working on their homestead in Monroe. He prides himself in never having eaten anything healthy and having the loudest typing skills at Barrow Vet Service. |
Office Manager
Valerie Walthart
Valerie has been with Barrow Veterinary Services since it's inception, and for a few years had the distinction of being the sole employee of BVS. The practice was ambulatory back in those days, so she was on the road making appointments with a cell phone and a paper calendar. She has now transitioned into cloud-based software and an office-only role, making sure that supplies and equipment are ordered and all our in-house operations are going smoothly. A transplant originally from Nashville, TN, she studied Animal Science and is a former Coordinator of Laboratory Animal Resources at the Auburn University. She has worked in the Veterinary field for more than twenty-five years, and has been with BVS since 2004.
When not at BVS, Valerie spends most of her time as Mom to an active high schooler who is involved in a myriad of activities, including tennis, church youth group, girl scouts, and horse show competition. If there is time leftover, the garden may get some attention or some books might get read.... but watching movies with the dogs often wins.
Her favorite time of year is foaling season, and she loves making sure all the babies get off to a good start here at BVS.
When not at BVS, Valerie spends most of her time as Mom to an active high schooler who is involved in a myriad of activities, including tennis, church youth group, girl scouts, and horse show competition. If there is time leftover, the garden may get some attention or some books might get read.... but watching movies with the dogs often wins.
Her favorite time of year is foaling season, and she loves making sure all the babies get off to a good start here at BVS.
Assistants
Mary Stuart Hawkins
Mary Stuart was born and raised in Athens, Georgia. She rode and showed Hunter Jumpers throughout her childhood and young adulthood. She and her husband now live in Bishop with their two dogs (Jackson & Tuna) and two cats (Anchovy & Chowder). If you can't tell from the names of her pets, Mary Stuart is quite the "foodie," and always has a myriad of snacks in the truck and at the clinic.
Mary Stuart's first task is always to assist the doctors, but her personal mission is to pet every single cat she comes into contact with, either here at the clinic (mission accomplished there) or on the road (success rate is over 90% so far)! In fact, if you don't see her, she is probably stalking a cat.
Another fun fact about Mary Stuart is that while she had worked under several trainers, she came to BVS without Veterinary experience and was worried she would not be an asset. Since she has been with the practice since May of 2017, she has definitely overcome all of that and is now the "go-to" for doctors, students, and newer team members. She is incredibly valuable to us! In addition to being a great assistant, she is also our resident list-maker, artist, and guardian angel of our clinic cats.
Mary Stuart was born and raised in Athens, Georgia. She rode and showed Hunter Jumpers throughout her childhood and young adulthood. She and her husband now live in Bishop with their two dogs (Jackson & Tuna) and two cats (Anchovy & Chowder). If you can't tell from the names of her pets, Mary Stuart is quite the "foodie," and always has a myriad of snacks in the truck and at the clinic.
Mary Stuart's first task is always to assist the doctors, but her personal mission is to pet every single cat she comes into contact with, either here at the clinic (mission accomplished there) or on the road (success rate is over 90% so far)! In fact, if you don't see her, she is probably stalking a cat.
Another fun fact about Mary Stuart is that while she had worked under several trainers, she came to BVS without Veterinary experience and was worried she would not be an asset. Since she has been with the practice since May of 2017, she has definitely overcome all of that and is now the "go-to" for doctors, students, and newer team members. She is incredibly valuable to us! In addition to being a great assistant, she is also our resident list-maker, artist, and guardian angel of our clinic cats.
Ariel Smith
Ariel has been with the practice since 2020 and has proven to be extremely versatile. She definitely can facilitate any customer service issue with ease, but she's just as valuable when it comes to assisting the Veterinarians! She can be found running labs, updating or fixing software issues, assisting with medical procedures, mares & foals, farm calls, or out in the barns. Wherever there's a need, you'll find Ariel.
Raised locally, Ariel has not had a time in her life without horses. She has ridden since childhood, and later even managed the horse program at Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, Georgia, which caters to chronically ill or differently-abled children.
Outside of work, she's spending time with her husband, son, daughter, Boxer (Ace) and "Chiweenie" (Roscoe) on their family farm in Mansfield. Ariel and her daughter both show in the Hunter Jumper rings, and you might even spot her assisting in the show office at the H.J. Fox show series! Recently, she's helped her son with a show heifer and supports him as he competes in tournament fishing and riflery. She's definitely a renaissance woman and can handle whatever we throw at her!
Ariel has been with the practice since 2020 and has proven to be extremely versatile. She definitely can facilitate any customer service issue with ease, but she's just as valuable when it comes to assisting the Veterinarians! She can be found running labs, updating or fixing software issues, assisting with medical procedures, mares & foals, farm calls, or out in the barns. Wherever there's a need, you'll find Ariel.
Raised locally, Ariel has not had a time in her life without horses. She has ridden since childhood, and later even managed the horse program at Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, Georgia, which caters to chronically ill or differently-abled children.
Outside of work, she's spending time with her husband, son, daughter, Boxer (Ace) and "Chiweenie" (Roscoe) on their family farm in Mansfield. Ariel and her daughter both show in the Hunter Jumper rings, and you might even spot her assisting in the show office at the H.J. Fox show series! Recently, she's helped her son with a show heifer and supports him as he competes in tournament fishing and riflery. She's definitely a renaissance woman and can handle whatever we throw at her!
Emily Mitchell
Emily grew up locally, in the Covington area and has been an avid animal lover from the very beginning. She fell in love with horses at the age of 4, after riding the cutting horse of a close family friend (and local cowboy). She continued riding throughout her childhood and teenage years. After high school, she attended Kennesaw State University. Post-college she joined the staff of a companion animal practice where she worked for several years as a receptionist and veterinary assistant.
Emily joined the Barrow Veterinary Service team in June of 2023, and now insists that Equine Medicine is a much more fun and interesting field than Small Animal Medicine. She can be seen out in the field with Drs. Connelly and Barrow, as well as helping out at the reception desk. Her versatility makes her a great asset to BVS!
In her spare time, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband Austin, and daughters Lily Kate and Reece. She also thoroughly enjoys competing her Appendix mare Frankie in Hunter/Jumpers. Emily has a menagerie of animals including horses, goats, dogs, cats, chickens, guineas, and a pig on her family’s farm.
Emily grew up locally, in the Covington area and has been an avid animal lover from the very beginning. She fell in love with horses at the age of 4, after riding the cutting horse of a close family friend (and local cowboy). She continued riding throughout her childhood and teenage years. After high school, she attended Kennesaw State University. Post-college she joined the staff of a companion animal practice where she worked for several years as a receptionist and veterinary assistant.
Emily joined the Barrow Veterinary Service team in June of 2023, and now insists that Equine Medicine is a much more fun and interesting field than Small Animal Medicine. She can be seen out in the field with Drs. Connelly and Barrow, as well as helping out at the reception desk. Her versatility makes her a great asset to BVS!
In her spare time, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband Austin, and daughters Lily Kate and Reece. She also thoroughly enjoys competing her Appendix mare Frankie in Hunter/Jumpers. Emily has a menagerie of animals including horses, goats, dogs, cats, chickens, guineas, and a pig on her family’s farm.