Staff

In 1988 Dr. Cook started Central Georgia Equine Services, Inc., a veterinary practice devoted exclusively to horses.

The daughter of an Air Force navigator Dr. Cook grew up in a military family where families are relocated on a regular basis. The family bounced from Georgia to Massachusetts to Montana & Colorado before finally landing in Georgia. A 1978 honor graduate of Warner Robins High School she was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in pre-veterinary medicine following three years of undergraduate work at the University of Georgia. After an early admission she completed her doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1985. While in veterinary school Dr. Cook developed a special interest in reproduction and spent an externship in central Kentucky where ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis was brand new technology. She was also keen on pediatrics and spent a concentrated block with Dr. Susan White. Working her way through school she held a variety of part-time jobs; training horses for an Atlanta family, flipping hamburgers at McDonalds and large volume food preparation in Bolton Cafeteria at the University of Georgia. Following graduation in 1985 she was employed as an associate veterinarian in mixed practice at Houston Veterinary Clinic in Warner Robins. In 1988 she started her own business Central Georgia Equine Services, Inc., a veterinary practice devoted exclusively to horses.

Dr. Cook is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the Georgia Equine Practitioners Association. Appointed by the Georgia State Veterinarian she served for three years on the Georgia Equine Advisory board. She was then appointed to serve on the Georgia Horse Council. Elected by the Georgia membership Dr. Cook served two terms on the board of directors of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeder’s & Exhibitor’s Association and spent two years serving on the Breeders committee. In 1996 TWHBEA appointed Dr. Cook to serve on the Equine Viral Arteritis Working Group of the American Horse Council to develop guidelines for the control of this contagious virus. A long time member of the Georgia Walking Horse Exhibitor’s Association, Dr. Cook served several terms on the board of directors.

Married to Fred Cook since 1981 the couple combined their efforts to build CGES. Together they have been breeding, raising and showing Tennessee Walking horses for more than 30 years. In 2003 Dr. Cook’s hard work paid off as she won the English Trail Pleasure World Grand Championship at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration on her Amateur Owned and Trained mare, She’s Legal Tender. When she’s not working Dr. Cook would rather be riding but she is also rumored to enjoy gardening and snow skiing.

Special Interests

• Equine Reproduction
• Lameness
• Internal Medicine

Dr. Julia Smith has lived in many places around the country from New Jersey and Pennsylvania to Kansas and Texas, finally returning back to Georgia. She began riding horses as a young child; her passion for horses grew with age, and she enjoyed riding and competing in multiple English disciplines including hunters, jumpers, equitation and three-day eventing.

In high school, Dr. Smith began to pursue her veterinary career by shadowing and working in a small animal veterinary clinic in Omaha, NE. In the fall of 2016, she started her undergraduate studies at Kansas State University, and completed her Bachelor’s in Animal Science in three years, entering Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in the fall of 2019.

Early in her undergraduate studies, her family moved to Acworth, GA. During her undergraduate and vet school breaks from Kansas State University, she worked with an ambulatory equine veterinary practice in Rome, GA where she gained invaluable experience.

Upon graduating from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2023, Dr. Smith completed a rigorous one-year specialty internship at the prestigious Weatherford Equine Medical Center in Weatherford, TX. This internship provided her with a wealth of knowledge and experience with top-tier equine medicine, surgery, lameness, and critical care, as well as a passion for caring for the Western performance horse.

In her free time, Dr. Smith enjoys cooking, gardening, spending time with family and friends, and training and exploring with her young black Labrador, Juniper. She also has a deaf (and very loud!) geriatric black cat named Casey, who has been with her through vet school and her intern year.

Dr. Smith’s professional interests include sports medicine & lameness, wound management, neonatal medicine, colic, and emergency/critical care.

In 1988 Dr. Cook started Central Georgia Equine Services, Inc., a veterinary practice devoted exclusively to horses.

Rick is a certified farrier with the American Farriers Association. He owns and operates Talbert Farrier Services and is the staff farrier for Central Georgia Equine Services, Inc.

A 1997 graduate of the Auburn Horseshoeing School he served his apprenticeship with Herb Schneider CF who specialized in shoeing Dressage and Eventing horses. He then spent 9 years as the farrier for the Sarasota Polo Club in Sarasota, FL

An avid student Rick enjoys learning new techniques and the challenge of difficult cases. He frequently attends continuing education seminars including the Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium, the AFA National Convention, the International Hoof Care Summit, the FAEP Hoof Symposium, and the International Laminitis Symposium.

Special Interests

• Laminitis
• Hoof Cracks
• Navicular Syndrome

The love of horses brought Teresa Owens to CGES in 2005 to work as our Secretary/Receptionist.

Growing up in Ohio, Teresa started showing in lead-line classes when she was four years old with her sister Ronnie. They were their Saddle Club high point winners for three consecutive years. Teresa then began showing in 4-H competitions with her half Morgan and in Parade Saddle classes with her Hackney Pony. It was during this time that her family began raising and showing Morgan Horses on a Regional level.

Teresa and her family moved to Warner Robins, Georgia when she was 14 years old where she continued showing her Morgan horses under Park Saddle at Region shows. After graduating from Northside High School, her family sold the horses. Even though she no longer owns any horses, she has never lost her love or interest in them.

Teresa’s two children are the love of her life. Her daughter Taylor is a graduate of Perry High School and is working towards a career in graphic design. Her son Cody recently earned his Master’s degree in strength and conditioning and is Assistant Coach for the Football Team and Head Coach for the Boys Soccer Team at John Milledge Academy. She has one cat named Honeybun. In her spare time, Teresa enjoys going to Cody’s games, reading mystery novels, watching football and spending as much time with her children as she can.

Central Georgia Equine Services was founded by the husband and wife team of Fred and Charlene Cook in 1988.

Raised in Columbus, GA Fred joined the Air Force and served his country during the Vietnam War. Post service Fred studied electronics and was hired by the Georgia Power Company. Fred earned a degree in finance from Georgia State University by attending classes at night while working full time. His unique knowledge of electronics and finance allowed him to serve the company in many positions and he retired after 36 years of service.

Fred handles the many duties in the CGES business office. He enjoys reading, cooking and playing golf whenever time allows.

Alan enjoys working outside which fits perfectly with his position at CGES where he takes wonderful care of the grounds and facilities.

A native of middle Georgia Alan grew up in Warner Robins. After graduating from Northside High School he was hired by the Coca Cola Company. He served the company in many different positions and retired after 34 years of service.

Alan and his wife Lisa have five children and thirteen grandchildren. Alan enjoys working outside which fits perfectly with his position at CGES where he takes wonderful care of the grounds and facilities.

Alan is currently serving as chairman of the board of the Revive Fellowship Church, a church he recently founded. When he’s not working Alan enjoys hunting and fishing.