Dr. John Janicek is originally from Bellville, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002, which was followed by a 1-year surgical internship at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Kentucky. Subsequently, he completed a 3-year equine surgery residency at the University of Missouri and remained at the University of Missouri for an additional year as a faculty surgeon.

In 2007, he became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. He obtained a Masters of Science degree in 2007 while performing research in the University of Missouri Comparative Orthopaedic Laboratory and the E. Paige Laurie Equine Lameness Endowment Program. He was a staff surgeon at Weems and Stephens Equine Hospital for 6 years prior to arriving at Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals. Dr. Janicek has published over 30 veterinary surgery articles, multiple veterinary surgery book chapters, and has presented numerous veterinary surgery related topics at regional, national, and international meetings.

Dr. Beau Whitaker grew up near Nashville, Tennessee on his family’s farm, developing a love for horses and livestock. Beau obtained a degree in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University, after which he trained quarter horses in Gainesville, Texas for a short time. Beau graduated from Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. Upon graduation, he completed an internship at Arizona Equine Hospital. Beau then worked as a veterinarian at the 6666’s Ranch in Guthrie, Texas. Beau moved to Salado, Texas, and joined Dr. T’s Equine Clinic in 2007 (which later became Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals-Salado) where he established a busy lameness and sports medicine part of the clinic. He received his CERP (Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner) in 2014 from the University of Tennessee.

Beau enjoys drawing, the outdoors, and spending time with his family when not working with horses.

Dr. Rachel Youngblood is from San Antonio, Texas. She inherited her love of Veterinary Medicine and horses from her mom, who is a small animal veterinarian. She grew up showing Arabian performance horses and hunter/jumpers. Rachel completed her undergraduate studies at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and then attended Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Following veterinary school, she completed a 1-year internship at Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals in Salado. Rachel’s interests include internal medicine, neonatology, endocrinology, and general wellness.

During her free time, she enjoys running, riding her horses, and spending time with her cat, Annie, and her family.

Dr. Jamie Ashbook grew up on a family farm in South Carolina, which consisted of a variety of animals. She grew up riding English sport horses, focusing on jumpers.

Jamie graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in May of 2016. Subsequently, she completed a 1-year internship at Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals in Salado, Texas. Following her internship, she went to Tryon, North Carolina, working as an associate for Freer Equine Mobile Veterinary Services. Beginning July 2018, she returned to Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals in Salado, Texas as an associate to help grow and support the English sport horses in central Texas.

During her free time, she enjoys running, hiking, reading, and riding her horse, Ricochet.

Dr. Erica Bast was born and raised in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri. She completed a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science (2016), a Master’s degree in Public Health (2018), and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (2023), all at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Dr. Bast found her love for horses while volunteering at a therapeutic riding center during high school. In college, she worked at a busy English barn, where she also showed hunter/jumpers and eventers. Erica’s love for equine veterinary medicine was solidified after completing a summer externship at Ellis Park Racetrack in Henderson, Kentucky. After earning her DVM in May of 2023, she moved to Texas to complete a one-year internship with Brazos Valley Equine Hospitals-Salado. The fast-paced environment, exuberant learning opportunities, and collaboration of veterinary professionals are what drew her to continue her career with BVEH-Salado. Dr. Bast’s veterinary interests include emergency triage and general wellness.

In her free time, Erica enjoys hiking with her fiancé and Belgian Malinois (Shay), snuggling with her tuxedo kitty (Gatsby), hunting, and watching Food Network.

Dr. Remi Grzeskowiak’s lifelong passion for horses began in childhood when he competed in show jumping. After studying veterinary medicine in Poland and Austria, he completed several equine internships, including an advanced surgery internship at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Kentucky. He then pursued a large animal surgery residency at the University of Tennessee, where he also earned a PhD in regenerative medicine. Dr. Grzeskowiak holds a deep passion for equine orthopedics, soft tissue surgery, and emergency and critical care. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, running, biking, and horseback riding. His family’s horses back home keep him connected to his roots, and he remains an avid fan of horse racing.