Jose R. Castro, DVM, DACVS-LA, DABVP-Equine, CVA-Equine
Owner, Equine Surgeon, Acupuncturist, and Chiropractor
Dr. Castro was born in Quito, Ecuador. He obtained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Central University of Ecuador before moving to the United States in 2001. He completed a Large Animal Internship at the University of Tennessee and went on to complete an Equine Surgery Residency through UT and Woodford Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.
He is Board Certified in Large Animal Surgery (Equine Emphasis) by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and in Equine Practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. He is a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist and a Tui-Na (Equine Massage) Practitioner by the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Florida. Certified Lameness Locator Practitioner, one of few in the United States; and Certified in Equine Veterinary Medical Manipulation (Equine Chiropractic) by the Integrative Veterinary Medical Institute.
He is an avid traveler and has presented at conferences on multiple topics in the United States, Ecuador, Panama, Spain and China.
His professional interests include Surgery (soft tissue and orthopedic), Sports Medicine, Regenerative Medicine and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. When he has time away from work, he enjoys endurance and long-distance horseback riding.
Before purchasing DCLAH in September of 2018, he was a Clinical Assistant Professor of Equine Surgery at the University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Center.
Kristina Peacock, DVM
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Peacock grew up just outside of Middleburg, Virginia where she began riding horses at a young age. She spent most of her free time competing in gymnastics, but once she bought her first horse in high school, she was hooked. She received a bachelor’s degree in Animal and Poultry Sciences from Virginia Tech. During her time as an undergraduate student, she competed for the Virginia Tech Hunter Equitation Team, completed a sport horse breeding internship at Virginia Tech’s MARE Center and acted as the VT Equestrian Club President. The year before veterinary school, Dr. Peacock worked as an equine nurse at Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center. She always knew she wanted to be a veterinarian, but once she started this job, she was certain she was well on her way to becoming an equine vet and never looked back.
Dr. Peacock couldn’t get enough of Blacksburg, so she headed back south after a year of work to attend the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. She found plenty of time for riding, enjoying Blacksburg with friends and helping raise her family’s litter of golden retriever puppies in between study sessions. She was also active in many veterinary school clubs, standing as President of a few, including the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
Dr. Peacock returned home to complete a rotating equine internship at Piedmont Equine Practice in The Plains, Virginia. While she loves all facets of equine medicine, her passion for equine sports medicine, regenerative therapies, and ambulatory work continued to grow while working under this skilled group of veterinarians. In her free time, Dr. Peacock enjoys riding her horse Impulse and hiking with her dog Laney. She also has a passion for travel and loves spending time with her family and friends – there is never a dull moment.
Emily Klein, DVM
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Klein grew up on a farm in Harford County, Maryland where she began riding horses at a young age. She raised many different farm animals including horses, sheep, goats, and alpacas! She was actively involved in her equine and livestock 4-H groups. She spent her childhood on the farm, as well as playing a variety of sports and staying involved in her youth group. She has owned many horses and ponies over the years. However, Kelly, her first paint pony was the one that she learned to ride on at age 7 and that has stayed near to her heart. Her family has since moved to Lancaster, South Carolina where they have expanded their farm.
Dr. Klein worked as an assistant for a large animal veterinarian during high school that allowed her to explore her desire to work with animals and veterinary medicine. This opportunity solidified her passion for the field of veterinary medicine. She received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology as well as Molecular & Cellular biology at Cedarville University in Ohio. There, she founded and was the president of the pre-veterinary club and would seek any opportunity to learn and strengthen her veterinary knowledge.
Dr. Klein attended veterinary school at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN and graduated in the spring of 2023. She was involved in many different clubs and organizations during her time in veterinary school including AAEP, Food Animal Club, Christian Veterinary Missions and the Emergency and Critical Care Club. She held executive board positions for a few of these clubs as well. She always knew she would pursue a career in large animal and equine medicine. However, during her time in veterinary school she specifically found her passion for equine general practice. She still enjoys working with all large animals but has fallen in love with equine medicine.
