Joleen Elston, D.V.M. is the newest addition to the LAVA family joining the practice in the summer of 2007. Joleen is a native of San Diego County, growing up in Fallbrook. Joleen has had a life-long passion for horses. She started riding before the age of 5 and acquired her first pony at the age of eight. With an impressive riding resume that includes accomplishments in the United States Pony Club, achieving her Silver and Bronze medals in the United States Dressage Federation and competing as a alternate on the Region 7 young Riders Team, Joleen has set her focus on dedicating her life to the equine performance world. Other organizations Joleen has participated in include the 4-H and Future Farmers of America.
Joleen began focusing on veterinary medicine at a young age as well. She became a technician at a small animal hospital in her teens and moved on to a 5 year technician position at San Luis Rey Equine Hospital in Bonsall, California. During this time she attended Cal Poly Pomona for pre-veterinary school, later transferring to Washington State University to complete her Bachelor degrees in Biology and Zoology. Joleen is also a graduate of Washington State University Veterinary School. Following her doctorate degree and prior to joining LAVA Joleen accepted an internship position at the highly acclaimed Pioneer Equine Hospital in Oakdale, California.
Joleen has quickly found her niche at LAVA. She is an extremely competent veterinarian with a vast amount of experience in the performance horse world. She has specific interests in lameness and performance horse medicine. Joleen also has a strong interest in performance dentistry and appreciates the value in solid preventative management. Joleen recognizes that she herself was a young horse enthusiast, hungry for knowledge. As a result of this Joleen has a deep desire to educate and give back to the horse community where ever possible.
When she is not consumed with her work Joleen enjoys time with her husband, Bowen and her equine companions. Joleen currently has a dressage prospect from her accomplished mare, Arts and Letters, and a cutting horse, Classy, that gives her some saddle time while she awaits the day her dressage horse, San Diego Starfire, is ready to compete.
Joleen’s veterinary ability and enthusiasm coupled with her bountiful energy make her a priceless addition to the LAVA family.
