Our Veterinarians
Dr. Jo Olver. Hospital Medical Director. Born and raised on a mixed farm in Southern Manitoba. A lifelong interest in animals, both wild and domestic, has lead her down a path leading to veterinary medicine. Pelican Lake Manitoba provided an unlimited source of wildlife and nature, like the western Grebe, and of course the pelicans. Authors such as Konrad Lorenz, Gerald Durell, Lyn Hancock, James Herriot and many others provided a glimpse into some of that 'whole wide world' out there. Veterinary medicine, draft horses, wildlife, nature, reading, and travel are some of the many aspects of life which Dr Jo enjoys.
She graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) of the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. As a veterinarian she met her husband, Chuck, while out to tend one of his draft horses. Since then they have established Jockeyport Veterinary Services, and expanded Jockeyport Livery Stables.
Dr. Sarah Grote. Associate Veterinarian.
Dr. Sarah Grote is from the southern part of Missouri in the Ozark Mountains. She grew up
on a small farm surrounded by dogs, cats, and horses. She started riding western, primarily
barrel racing and trail classes, but switched – much to the confusion of her mare, Firgy, – to
dressage and jumping. All show training gave way to pleasure riding in the woods during
veterinary school at the University of Missouri – Columbia.
She is currently training her young Dalmatian, Piper, for conformation, with plans to compete
in agility and road trials, an AKC event where Dalmatians keep pace with a horse and follow
commands from the rider. She also enjoys working with draft horses and mules – a hobby
picked up in veterinary school from the school mascots, a team of draft mules. Other interests
include playing old-time mandolin, reading, backpacking, canoeing, and ornithology.
Dr. Timothy Slater. Associate Veterinarian.
Originally from Owego, NY, Dr. Tim spent his childhood fascinated with animals and the outdoors. Dr. Tim attended
SUNY-Delhi where he obtained a degree in Veterinary Technology. He also earned a bachelors degree in Animal Science
from Cornell University. After graduation, Dr. Tim took a job as the Keeper Supervisor of the Trevor Zoo in Millbrook, NY.
He then spent several years teaching high school Physics and coaching. Dr. Tim graduated from Ross University School of
Veterinary Medicine after completing his clinical year at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. He gained additional
veterinary experience working as a Veterinary Technician at Cornell's Companion Animal Hospital's Intensive Care Unit; He also
worked as an Animal Behavior intern for the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD and has spent several years
working with zoos and conservation programs.
Dr. Tim's veterinary interests include farm animal medicine, exotics/avian and wildlife medicine. He has a keen interest
in small farms and sustainable living.
Dr. Valerie Ebert. Associate Veterinarian.
Dr. Val was born and raised in Lakewood Pennsylvania on a small farm. She raised sheep, pigs and poultry.
Dr. Val also began riding horses at a young age. She attended the University of Scranton where she received
her bachelors degree in Biology, worked as a teaching assistant, and completed her masters degree in Biochemistry.
Dr. Val obtained additional experience in the veterinary field by working as a veterinary technician at an
animal emergency clinic, and for an orthopedic veterinary surgeon. She attended veterinary school at St. Matthews
University in Grand Cayman and completed her clinical year at the University of Pennsylvania.
Her professional
interests are in Small animal andn equine medicine and surgery. Dr. Val particularly enjoys training and competing
in the hunter/jumper disciplines, diving and snowboarding.
We welcome both Dr. Tim and Dr. Val to Jockeyport!
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