Our Team

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OWNER/VETERINARIAN

Dr. Ernst received his Veterinary degree from Purdue University in 1997. He completed his undergraduate degree at Colorado State University with a degree in Zoology and Biology.

Upon graduation, he accepted an internship at Illinois Equine Hospital. During that time, he gained a wealth of information and extensive exposure to lameness, pre-purchase examinations, and surgery. After his internship, Dr. Ernst worked with Dr. Fred Benker in Noblesville, Indiana. During this time, he developed an aptitude for equine reproduction. Dr. Ernst enjoys all aspects of equine practice, but has developed an in-depth knowledge in lameness and regenerative medicine.

Dr. Ernst served as president of the Indiana Association of Equine Practitioners. In addition to belonging to various other organizations Dr. Ernst was the President of the student Chapter of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and continues to maintain his membership with the AAEP and the AVMA.

Dr. Ernst grew up riding horses, and throughout high school and college he was an avid eventer and showed extensively. In his non-professional time, Dr. Ernst enjoys skiing (snow and water).

ASSOCIATE VETERINARIAN

Dr. Loewenstine grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio where she began riding at a young age at her grandparents’ farm. She enjoyed riding and competing in eventing through the years with an Appaloosa, Chester and later a Connemara, Blarney.

Dr. Loewenstine attended Clemson University and graduated with a BS in Animal and Veterinary Science. She then attended Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and earned her DVM. Dr. Katie went on to complete an internship at Brandon Equine Medical Center in sunny Florida where she engaged in many aspects of equine medicine including preventative care, dentistry, podiatry, ophthalmology, reproduction, colic, lameness, and other emergencies. Dr. Loewenstine’s desire to return to South Carolina brought her to Island Equine Clinic. In her free time, Dr. Katie enjoys riding Blarney and spending time outdoors with friends and family.

ASSOCIATE VETERINARIAN

Dr. Benn is from Houston, Texas and grew up riding and competing in dressage on her Dutch Warmblood, Teddy and was completely obsessed with horses. As a 6-year-old, she was told she could not become a horse when she grew up and decided becoming an equine vet was the next best thing!
Dr. Benn attended Berry College where she majored in Pre-Vet and Animal Science before earning her DVM from Texas A&M University.
After graduation, Dr. Benn completed an internship at 3H Equine Hospital in North Carolina where she was able to hone her skills in many aspects of equine practice such as preventative care, emergency medicine and lameness.
Dr. Benn enjoys all aspects of equine veterinary medicine and is especially passionate about sports medicine and rehabilitation. She completed her chiropractic certification at the Chi Institute Spring of 2023 and is excited to share the benefits of this skill set with her existing and future patients and clients.
In her free time, Dr. Benn enjoys running and hiking with her sweet and playful dog Derby as well as riding her extroverted Half-Arabian Sinbad.

HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR

Originally from North Carolina, Dr. Worley has resided throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Dr. Worley first attended Randolph-Macon Woman's College where she competed on the IHSA team. She then graduated with a B.A. from UNC Chapel Hill in Management and Society, a M.Ed. in Agriculture and Extension Education from NC State University, and Phi Kappa Phi with a Ph.D. in Agricultural Science Communications from the University of Georgia. She also completed earlier doctoral work from NC State University with research at the University of Zagreb in Croatia.

Dr. Worley's career as an organizational leader and academic spans more than two decades having worked at the University of Florida, NC State University, and the University of Georgia. Her work and research focused on discourse analysis and ag innovations has been presented at conferences domestically and abroad, featured on national television, and published in various peer reviewed journals.

A lifelong equestrian for more than 40 years, Dr. Worley has competed extensively with the USEA, USHJA, and USDF, while focusing exclusively on dressage over the past decade and a half with her larger-than-life equine partner Remington.