Dr. Brett Gaby graduated from Cornell University in 1992. Following graduation he spent 2 years in immunological research at the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, under lead investigator Neil Norcross (collaborator on the Coggins test developed at Cornell). During this time Dr. Gaby was competing at the national level in rowing. He was sponsored by the New York Athletic Club with whom he won several championships including national titles.
In 1994 he moved to Dublin Ireland to study veterinary sciences at the University College Dublin. While there he carried first class honors throughout the curriculum and obtained a useful equine foundation. After returning to the United States, Dr. Gaby attended the Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 1999. He was awarded honors in the clinical pathological sciences from the college. He completed an internship at the Rochester Equine Clinic and was employed by Boston Equine Associates for nearly four years before starting his own practice in 2003. He specializes in lameness diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Gaby has two daughters, and is occasionally seen riding his horse Summer and returning to the water to row.
Jenn graduated from Johnson & Wales University in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in Equine Business Management and Riding. She worked as a barn manager for 3 years before joining Essex Equine in 2008. Jenn has been instrumental in growing the practice and is well-known to the majority of our clients. She enjoys teaching and practicing yoga at her yoga studio, Leominster Yoga Center, and spends her free time hiking with her Cattle Dog, Callie.
Dr. Katie Shaffer
Intern Veterinarian
Katie grew up in Acton Massachusetts and earned her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from The University of Connecticut in 2018. She began seriously riding in college and gained veterinary experience at a small animal hospital in Bristol CT as well as with Dr. Gaby at Essex Equine during this time. She pursued her veterinary degree at the University of Florida and recently graduated in 2023 with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine with a certificate in business management. She has moved back home to New England and is now pursuing her interests in equine medicine as an intern at Essex Equine.
When she isn’t working, Katie enjoys newlywed life with her husband Matt and their 6 rabbits, 2 cats – Flo from Progressive and Martin from Geico, as well as their retired OTTB – Fiona. She enjoys spending time with her family, the outdoors, camping, great breakfast cafés, and DIY projects.
Carolyn Halfpenny
Scheduling Coordinator/ Assistant Office Manager
Carolyn began riding with her aunt in Berlin at a young age and continued growing as an equestrian after her parents leased and then purchased her horse in 2003. She enjoyed showing her horse in local 4-H, hunter, and later dressage shows through high school and into college. While attending Worcester State University, Carolyn managed a barn and enjoyed teaching the next generation of young riders. Carolyn graduated from Worcester State with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and after taking a short hiatus from the horse world, is happy to be back in the saddle at Essex Equine!
Adrienne Weaver
Client Service Representative
Adrienne has over 30 years of experience in the horse industry. She graduated from Centenary College with a BS in Equine Studies and received her BHSAI while studying abroad in England. She is a MA licensed riding instructor and has worked with broodmares, foals, race horses, and show horses up and down the East Coast. Adrienne enjoys reading, riding her motorcycle, and being surrounded by furry friends!
Mikayla Songin
Veterinary Assistant
Mikayla is an avid equestrian and like most of us, spends much of her free time in the barn with her two horses. But when she’s not with them she enjoys creating art and going for hikes. She has a diverse background in the horse world having dabbled in a little of everything, from breeding farms, racing barns, backyard to show barns, and even managed a tack and feed store for many years. Mikayla attended Ellsworth C.C. For equine science, and then decided to go into equine bodywork. She has been practicing since 2015 and recently opened up her LLC. She felt there was more she wanted to learn which drove her to seeking out the position of veterinary technician. She’s always excited to learn new things and enjoys the fast paced nature of the job, so she feels it’s a great learning experience.
Faith Wang
Veterinary Assistant
Faith Wang learned to ride before she could walk and has been an avid equestrian ever since. She grew up eventing and riding with her local Pony Club and later went on to compete for Mount Holyoke College’s IHSA and IDA teams. She now owns and operates Royalty Equine, a successful equine massage and bodywork business, and is dedicated to equine wellbeing. Faith is fascinated with all things biology and horses and continues to challenge herself to learn both in and out of the saddle. On her days off, you can find her hiking with her dog or volunteering at her local equine rescue.
Grace Luft-Morgan
Veterinary Assistant
Grace is currently a 4th year undergraduate student at Northeastern University studying Biology. She grew up horseback riding and plans to pursue Equine Veterinary Medicine post graduation; she hopes to learn more about the field as an intern here at Essex Equine.
Ryan Healy
Property Manager
Ryan graduated from Mount Ida College in 2010 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Veterinary Technology. While in school, he was a kennel manager, worked at local small animal ER, was Vice President of the SCNAVTA, and was a teaching assistant. He completed internships with New England Equine Medical and Surgical Center, Tufts University Hospital for Large Animals, and the teaching farm at Tufts, as well as contributing writing a reproduction chapter in “Veterinary Technician’s Large Animal Daily Reference Guide;” published by Wiley Blackwell. After graduating, he worked as the assistant manager at a large eventing barn in Groton MA for 4 years before joining Essex Equine in 2015. Ryan enjoys hunting, fishing, kayaking, and anything outdoors.