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.

Taryn Millhisler, EqDT

Taryn was born and raised on a small beef cattle and horse farm in Beaverton, Michigan.  She started showing horses at a very young age in lead line and has now shown pleasure horses all over the lower peninsula.  Always wanting to follow her passion of a horse-filled career, Taryn is busy building her equine dental practice and loving it.  A recent graduate of the Midwest Equine Dental Academy, Taryn is excited to return to teach in the program. Aside from doing equine dentistry, Taryn works as a vet tech at Surrey Veterinary Clinic in Clare, Michigan.

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.

Jody Briggs, EqDT

Jody travels from Ohio to teach for us whenever she is able to get away from work and family.  A recent graduate of the Midwest Equine Dental Academy, Jody owns and operates a successful Equine Dental Practice, JB Equine Services, serving eastern and southern Ohio and northern West Virginia.  Jody trains and sells barrel and pole horses and breeds commercial Angus Cattle.  Her education at the Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute earned her a degree in Equine Studies.

Ashley Burke, EqDT

Ashley is from a smaller town in northern Illinois.  She is an equine nutritionist, who also trains horses in multiple disciplines, and has a perfectionist attitude when it comes to anything horses.  As equine dentists are difficult to find in her area, she felt someone that specialized in dentistry would be welcomed into the community.  This encouraged Ashley to attend the Midwest Equine Dental Academy in 2023.  She is now the owner of “J & A Equine Dentistry LLC.”  If she’s not out doing dentals, she is in the barn training, or out competing, or, most importantly, spending time with family.  She enjoys teaching students and educating clients about how important dentistry is in the horse industry.

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.