Staff - Northrop Equine

Veterinarians

	Dr. Foster Northrop Foster Northrop is an equine veterinarian practicing primarily on thoroughbred racehorses at Churchill Downs (Louisville, KY), Keeneland (Lexington, KY) and Palm Meadows (Boynton Beach, FL). Dr. Northrop spent 16 years practicing with Dr. Mark Cheney before starting his own practice, Northrop Equine PLLC, in December of 2008. Dr. Northrop is a graduate of The University of Georgia where he was a member of the football team from 1980-1984. After graduating from the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine in 1988, he spent time in Africa doing big game research while working for the television show Wild Kingdom before spending a period of time at the National Zoo in Washington DC. Dr. Northrop got his start in the equine industry in 1989 working under Dr. John R. Steele primarily on Standardbred racehorses but additionally on world-renowned show horses in Wellington, FL. Dr. Northrop served 4 years on the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Committee and in 2008 was appointed by Governor Steven Beshear of Kentucky to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, where he still serves. Dr. Northrop, an Eagle Scout, also currently serves on the Executive Board of the Lincoln Heritage Council and as Vice Chairman of the Racing Commitee for the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Dr. Northrop, along with Dr. Scott Palmer, received the 2010 Presidents Award from the AAEP. In addition, Dr. Northrop spends much of his time speaking across the country about horse welfare and promoting the racing industry under the philosophy of putting the horse first. Dr. Northrop’s passion for the outdoors led him to his farm in Crestwood, Kentucky where he resides with his wife, Megan, and their three children, daughters Natalie and Tate and son Colton.
	Dr. Heather Craven Dr. Craven graduated from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. She began working with Doctor’s Cheney and Northrop post graduation and has continued to practice racetrack medicine as a part of Northrop Equine. Dr. Craven has completed the acupuncture course offered by the esteemed Dr. Xie at his CHI Institute in Florida and is a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist. Dr Craven lives in Louisville, Kentucky with her two dogs and two retired racehorses.
	Jessica Thornton Jessica graduated from Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009. She worked as a field intern at the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute from 2009-2010. She then worked at the New Castle Equine Center in New South Wales, Australia from July, 2010 to February 2011. She joined the team at Northrop Equine in February of 2011. Jessica enjoys riding for pleasure, but does not currently own any horses. Her other interests include running, hanging out with friends and traveling around the world. Aside from working in Australia, Jessica has been to Malaysia, France and Ireland.
	Megan Stackhouse Practice Manager Megan graduated from Murray State University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture. Megan then went on to the University of Louisville where she completed her Masters in Business Administration in 2005. Megan has been with Northrop Equine since its formation in 2008 and worked with Dr. Northrop previously as a Veterinary Assistant. A long time horse lover Megan’s passion is primarily for the hunter jumper discipline. Megan is a member of the Kentucky Hunter Jumper Association and lives in Georgetown, Indiana with her husband Andrew and their son, Will.
	Kim Childress Radiology Technician Kim has been an Radiology Technician for the last four years. She joined the team at Northrop Equine in October, 2010. Prior to her experience in Radiology, Kim was a Veterinary Technician for 17 years at small animal clinics. She is a member of the International Barrel Racing Association and the National Barrel Horse Association. Kim has been a barrel racer for most of her life and has five horses of her own. She and her husband reside in Fairdale, Kentucky with their daughter Morgan and son Trevor.