Meet the Team at Blue Ridge Equine Clinic

DVM

Donovan Dagner, DVM, managing partner of Blue Ridge Equine Clinic, grew up on a training farm in New Jersey, where he gained an appreciation for horses and the people who worked with them. He graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 1995 and completed an internship at Apex Veterinary Hospital in North Carolina before joining Blue Ridge Equine Clinic in 1996.

His current interests include dentistry and reproductive services, such as embryo transfer. He provides these services as well as all routine health care to the clients of Blue Ridge Equine Clinic at their farms and the clinic. His wife Anne is also a veterinarian. They live in Crozet with their daughters, Cecelia and Calla. They enjoy hiking, camping, and any excuse to go to the beach.

DVM, ACVS, ACVSMR

Steve Trostle, DVM, ACVS, ACVSMR, was born and raised on a dairy and livestock farm in York, Pennsylvania. He received his DVM from the University of Tennessee in 1990. He completed a surgical residency at the University of Wisconsin, achieving his board certification in surgery in 1996 and Diplomate status in the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (Equine) in 2013. After a year as a Clinical Instructor in surgery and nuclear medicine at the Marion DuPont Scott Equine Medical Center, Steve returned to Wisconsin to assume a faculty position at the veterinary teaching hospital in 1995.

In 2001, he decided to leave academia and joined the San Diego-based referral practice, San Luis Rey Equine Hospital. In 2004, he returned to the East Coast to join the staff at Blue Ridge Equine Clinic. Steve served on the Board of Directors for the AAEP from 2012 – 2014 and currently sits on various committees and sub-committees. For ACVSMR, Dr. Trostle has served on the Examination Committee (2013-2018) and also sits on the Board of Directors (2018-2022). He and his wife Cheryl, a small animal veterinarian, live in Earlysville with their son, Justin, and their daughter, Kelsey. He enjoys sports, and the family likes all forms of outdoor activities.

DVM, CVMMP

Susanna Charland, DVM, CVMMP, was raised in Sunshine, Louisiana, immersed in an animal-rich environment. She earned her undergraduate degree at UVA and actively participated in riding and competing with her horse, Hank, during her time there.

Dr. Charland obtained her veterinary degree from Ross University, completing her clinical year at UC Davis. Following her education, she pursued an equine internship at Ocean State Equine Associates in Rhode Island, eventually joining Blue Ridge Equine Clinic.

Charland’s professional focus spans emergency care, preventative medicine, and reproduction. Outside work, she cherishes moments with her husband Lucien and her dog Beast, engaging in outdoor activities and cooking.

DVM, CVA

Julia Hecking, DVM, CVA,  is originally from Richmond, VA, but has lived and worked in the Valley for many years at a busy breeding farm. She completed her undergraduate studies at Virginia Tech and then received her DVM from the University of Minnesota. After graduation, she completed an equine internship at Blue Ridge Equine Clinic. After finishing her internship, she was thrilled to come work in the Valley and is currently working part-time. She enjoys working on a variety of breeds and disciplines of all different levels.

Her special interests include reproductive work, lameness/sports medicine, dentistry, and preventative medicine. She is a certified veterinary acupuncturist and completed her training at the Chi Institute in Florida. She is a member of the AVMA and AAEP and an FEI veterinary delegate in three-day eventing.

Dr. Hecking lives in Lexington, VA, with her partner Drew and his two daughters, along with their fur family: three dogs, two cats, one horse, and a multitude of sheep, goats, and cows. In her free time, Dr. Hecking enjoys eventing her horse Ranon, gardening, traveling, and creating mosaic glass art.

Customer Service Representative

Dana grew up in the Valley on a small family farm in Folks Run, Virginia. In 1995, Dana purchased her first horse, Cimmie, which she still has today, along with her other older horse, Hoop Shooter. She spent many years trail riding and pleasure riding both horses.

Dana started working at Blue Ridge Equine in 2001 as a hospital barn assistant. Throughout her years at BREC, Dana has been a veterinary assistant and pharmacy technician and is currently a front desk receptionist. She lives in Crozet with her husband, three-legged dog Joe Bird, Moluccan Cockatoo Louie, and cat Koonie.

Customer Service Representative

Sandy grew up in the small town of Beckley, West Virginia. After graduating from WVU, she raised her family in Beckley, where she had a 35-year career as a Middle School Band Director/Music Teacher. Sandy always had a love for all animals, especially horses. Her daughter started riding at the age of 4, and Sandy decided to join her. They have ridden and shown horses together (mostly Arabian) in many different disciplines for years but have settled into dressage. Sandy moved to the Charlottesville area in 2020 and loves that she got the chance to have a second career at Blue Ridge Equine with horses and their owners. Living in Charlottesville has also given her the opportunity to be a part of the Virginia Dressage Association-Charlottesville, Charlottesville Flutes, and Albemarle Symphony Orchestra. Sandy enjoys spending time with her family, friends, pets, swimming, and playing her flute in her free time.

Practice Manager

Stephanie has been the Practice Manager at Blue Ridge Equine Clinic since June of 2024. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Longwood University. Before joining BREC, Stephanie excelled as the General Manager for a Pet Boarding company. Now she gets to channel for expertise and enthusiasm into managing the dynamic world of equine care, driven by her lifelong love for horses. When Stephanie is not at the clinic, she is caring for her beloved rescue Golden Retriever, Beetle, and adopted Aussie mix, Serbie. She also enjoys spending time with her horse, Kitt Carson, who she used to ride competitively in dressage, but now just rides for fun and relaxation. 

Facilities Manager

Sabino has been with BREC since 2005, serving as the Facilities Manager. He takes great pleasure in working outdoors, fixing anything that needs repair, and being around the horses. Outside of work, Sabino enjoys fishing and cherishes spending time with his family.