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Dr. Paula A. Horne, a 1984 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, has served the equine community with her expertise, compassion and dedication.  Dr. Horne resides in Purcellville with her husband, Blair, and children, Ginny and Trey.  With six horses, three dogs and two cats, it is obvious she is dedicated to the care and welfare of animals.  She is active in the local pony club, has hosted events at her farm, and has bred many nice foals through the years.

Dr. Horne has worked hard building her ambulatory equine practice.  Along with her experience in lameness, purchase exams, and reproduction, she offers complete health care packages, which includes the very popular Pfizer PreventiCare Program (A $5,000 colic surgery reimbursement program).

Dr. Horne also teaches equine dentistry to recent veterinary graduates through the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

With the expansion of the practice, we hope to meet many new people in the small animal clinic as well as new equine clients in the Winchester area.  We encourage everyone to stop by and see our expanded facility."

 Dr. Pruckowski assisted by Wendy Meurer LVT

"Veterinary Medicine provides me with a challenging, rewarding and fulfilling career.  I enjoy working with people who are dedicated to the welfare and well being of their animals.  My patients continue to touch my heart in many ways.  They make me laugh, make me feel needed, accept my pokes and prods with dignity, endure distress without complaining and always make me feel good about what I do. 

I have seen many changes in the field of Veterinary Medicine in the last few years.  Advanced diagnostic testing like CAT Scans and MRI's, organ transplants, chemotherapy and ultrasound are common practice today.  The internet has opened an unlimited source of information that is readily available to most households.  Telemedicine provides complete animal care.

The one thing that has not changed (and has actually gotten stronger) is the human-animal bond.  As new strategies and medications have led to longer lives, people are taking steps to ensure happy, healthy and pain free lives for their pets.  In today's world where bigger implies better, I have come to realize that individual attention and personalized care are perhaps the most critical aspects of Veterinary Medicine.

Knowing my clients and understanding their special needs and concerns on a continuing basis is paramount to providing the service that clients demand for their pets.  It is with this thought in mind that I offer my education, experience, compassion and dedication to all who choose to trust their beloved animals to my care."

Dr. Valerie Babcock graduated from Washington State University in 2003.  She completed and equine internship at Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center in New Jersey.  She joined our practice in 2004.   Her special interests are lameness and internal medicine.  She enjoys spending her free time with her Great Dane, Tucker, riding and scrap booking.

Dr. Elizabeth Morton is the second half of our full-time small animal veterinarian dual.  She grew up in Sydney, Australia and graduated from the University of Sydney in 1991 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science.  After four years working in a small animal practice in Sydney, she left to see the world. Traveling extensively in Mexico and Central America she then headed to England to work as a relief veterinarian in several practices throughout the United Kingdom.  She continued to develop her surgical and medical skills, and to experience many of the cultural highlights of Europe.  Liz has now settled in Purcellville with her husband, Scott,  new baby, Mick, and her sweet and crazy Labradoodle, Zane.  In her spare time she enjoys painting, hiking and reading.

 Sherry Blenden DVM

Dr. Sherry Blenden is a 2007 graduate of  the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine.  Sherry grew up in Florida riding POA ponies then progressed to dressage and eventing.  Her special interests include equine dentistry, saddle fitting and holistic medicine.  She is also a certified veterinary acupuncturist.  Currently, she is raising a PMU Percheron foal which she plans to train for driving, dressage and trail riding.  Sherry is looking forward to moving to Virginia with her husband, two cats, dog   and horse.  She will arrive in June 2007.

"I started in veterinary medicine in 1993 as a receptionist/veterinary assistant.  I joined Dr. Horne in 1996 as a Practice Manager and have enjoyed being a part of her successful, growing practice.  I grew up in Loudoun County, enjoying English riding and being a part of pony club and 4-H.  I graduated high school in Sierra Vista, AZ, where I was introduced to high school rodeo and the Quarter horse.  Missing Virginia, I moved back home and married a childhood friend and had three wonderful boys, Jeremy, Joey and Jarod.  Never forgetting my love of the Quarter horse, I became involved in team penning and am a member of USTPA, NTPC AND TSTPA.  I have enjoyed a lot of success competing both locally and nationally.  I also enjoy showing our old cars and participating in cruise ins with my husband, Dennis."

Alice Rowan Magaha joined our staff in November, 2005.  She brings her expertise in design to our web site and her twenty years experience with horses to our staff.  Alice graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1970 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Art.  After serving seven years as an officer in the Navy, she became a professional rider, showing Pyewacket for 10 years on the "A" American Horse Shows Association's  hunter/jumper circuit. She and her husband, Tommy, managed Hedgeland Stable in Waterford for twelve years.  Chelsea and Megan where added to the family in 1985 and 1987 respectively.  When Hedgeland was sold, the family relocated to Berryville at Rockin' M Acres offering boarding, lessons and training. She designs the Newsletters, updates the website, updates our Healthcare plans along with various other duties.

Meg Bennett has been working with veterinarians since 1994 and has been a Licensed Veterinary Technician since 1994.  She earned a Biology Degree from Mary Washington College and a degree in Veterinary Technology from Northern Virginia Community College.  Graduating with honors. Originally from Oakton, Virginia, Meg has lived in Montana, Dallas and Pennsylvania.  She and her family have now settled in Winchester.  She has been employed at our clinic since 2001.  Her family includes her husband, two young sons and a herd of dogs and cats.  She enjoys spending any spare time with her horse, Roanie, and is an avid football fan.  (GO STEELERS!)

"Since I was young, I've always wanted to work with animals, similar to my hero, Jane Goodall.  I received my Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Art at East Tennessee State university.  I then continued my schooling in a Master's program, studying developmental anatomy of frogs (i.e. tadpoles during metamorphosis).  I spent a year in Tennessee working at a small animal clinic that gave me "on the job training."  I moved back to where I grew up, Leesburg, and have been working at Hoof & Paw since 2002.  I have two cats:  Lily and  Henry and a three-legged dog named Roo.  More than anything, I want to educate people on animal care and help them realize that their animals unconditional love is a privilege."

Wendy Meurer McKenna is one of our Licensed Veterinary Technicians at Hoof and Paw.  She graduated from George Mason University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and then went on to graduate with honors from Northern Virginia Community College with an Applied Science degree.  This allowed her to take national boards to become an LVT.  Wendy spends half of her time in the clinic working with our small animal patients and the other half out in the trucks with the equine veterinarians, assisting with the horses.  She has a strong interest in both small animal and equine dentistry.  Wendy resides in Purcellville with her husband, Keith.  She has three dogs, five cats, and three horses and enjoys competing at local hunter shows. She is also a huge fan of Great Danes.

Emily grew up in McLean, Virginia, where her love of horses began before she was even able to walk.  When Emily was eight years old she began taking riding lessons which progressed over the years to being the captain of the local show team.  She eventually became a barn manager and riding instructor at the stable where she practically grew up.  This barn had over 55 school horses and 20 boarders.  After the barn closed, she moved to Loudoun county.  Her educational background includes a certificate in in Equine Sciences and a certificate in Phlebotomy (drawing blood).  She is currently pursuing an Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology through Cedar Valley College.  Her love of medicine and animals brought her to Hoof and Paw in 2004.  Emily spends most of her time in the hospital working with small animals but she also assists the equine vets in the trucks one day a week.  She is currently living in Leesburg with her boyfriend, Alex, and their herd of animals which include a Chihuahua named Gremlin, three cats, and a Belgian horse named Hope. Emily spends her spare time being a Greenie dispenser for Gremlin, a mediator to the cats' ongoing war over who is the king of the cat tree, watching football (GO REDSKINS), and hanging out with her two brothers.  She is looking forward to getting to know all the clients whether they have animals that are big or small.

I grew up in Massachusetts and graduated from Colby College in Maine.  I spent 2 1/2 years of my childhood in Sweden with my family and developed a love of travel and languages at an early age.  My prior work experience is almost entirely related to international education and travel.  But life has many twists and turns.  My husband and I have raised our two boys in Lovettsville where we have lived for 18 years.  One son is in college and the other is attends Loudoun Valley High School.  I have grown up with numerous cats and dogs over the years (and the occasional guinea pig and iguana, too).  We currently have one very large, black lab-mix, "Lancelot", and a new beautiful and sweet kitten named "Calloway". While Loudoun County continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, it's nice to work at a place that values a welcoming personal rapport with each and every client and patient.

Born and raised in Australia, Bea Miller, has lived and worked in Africa and the Navajo and Apache Reservations in the Southwest, USA.  Her love of animals has been lifelong.  She was a registered nurse, working with people for twelve years before combining her love of animals and medicine to become a veterinary assistant. 

Bea is now attending veterinary school in Australia to become a veterinarian!  Good luck Bea.

Amy Martin, LVT

My family moved to a small farm in Loudoun County in 1976. this move allowed me to own many pets including horses.  After attending the Washington Business School in Vienna, Virginia, I was a medical secretary for local doctors.  My appreciation and love for animals lead me to attending the Veterinary Technician Program at Nova Community College.  In May of 2006, I graduated Cum Laude with an Associates Degree in Veterinary Science.  Now I am combining my medical, office background and nursing skills at Hoof & Paw.  I enjoy helping horses, dogs and cats and their owners.  Sometimes helping includes a kind word or hug.  Other times monitoring anesthesia but whatever the tasks, I am rewarded in the knowledge that they are receiving the best veterinary and nursing care at Hoof & Paw.