Dr. Liz Yelvington Steele is the co-owner and lead Veterinarian of Steele Equine. She is dedicated to providing quality, individualized care to each of her clients. She has special interests in equine lameness, performance horse medicine, equine reproduction, and bovine medicine.

Liz graduated from the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She completed an externship in a feedlot practice in Greely, Colorado and another externship in a performance horse practice in Pilot, TX. Liz was honored with a large animal surgery award in Veterinary school and a rural animal medicine proficiency award in Veterinary school along with a scholarship given to Veterinary students for displaying a “kind - positive attitude” at all times. She has been an associate for Ridge Large Animal since 2006. Liz and her husband TJ own and manage Steele Equine formerly known as Three Oaks Equine Reproductive Facility in Zolfo Springs, FL. Liz also serves as a Courtesy Assistant Professor for the University of Florida through which she offers externships for credit towards a DVM degree for University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her equine chiropractic education in 2015.

Liz currently serves as a board member for Hardee County Farm Bureau, University of Florida Animal Science Equine Steering Committee, and as a member of the Equine State Advisory Committee for Florida Farm Bureau. Dr. Liz is passionate about faith and family. She wholeheartedly believes that Jesus is the ultimate physician and she was put here to work for Him. She prioritizes her time with her husband TJ and their two sons, Colton and Ty.

TJ Steele is the co-owner of Steele Equine, as well as is a Journeyman Farrier, DipWCF, Certified Equine Dental Technician and o-owner of Steele Equine where he leads the Podiatry departments.

TJ attended Edison Community College. Subsequently, he served in the US Marine Corp for 4 years where he earned the rank of E-5 Sergeant. In 2007, he completed farrier school, is an American Farrier Association Certified Journeyman Farrier and holds his Diplomacy of Farriery through The Worshipful Company of Farriers in England. Currently, he competes nationally and demonstrates his highly skilled farrier work. TJ is the current certification chair for the Florida State Farriers Association and is a tester for the American Farriers Association certifications. TJ was the “Blacksmith Buddy” coordinator for 2015/2016 in conjunction with the student chapter of the AAEP University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine program where Veterinary students and farriers learn the importance of working as a team for the benefit of the horse. Furthermore, TJ attended the Academy of Equine Dentistry for two years in Idaho and is a Certified Equine Dentist.

TJ was raised around horses his entire life. As a youth he was competitive within the junior and high-school rodeo association. TJ enjoys the outdoors with his wife and two boys, Colt and Ty.

Dr. Stephanie Kirchman is a Veterinarian and began working at Steele Equine in 2015 providing mobile equine services, with special interest in internal medicine. Dr. Kirchman has since purchased her own veterinary practice, Ridge Large Animal Veterinary Services. She continues to provide after hours on-call veterinary services for Steele Equine clients. She provides general equine and beef cattle medicine, equine dentistry services and also provides herd health and veterinary care for cattle, goats, sheep, and swine.

Stephanie graduated from the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine in May, 2015. She completed continuing education at the Academy of Equine Dentistry in Idaho in 2016. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from University of Florida in 2011.

Stephanie is married to Craig Bendall, a Golf professional who works for Spring Lake International Golf Resort. Stephanie and Craig have two handsome sons, Oliver and Louis. She enjoys riding horses; spending time with Craig, their two boys, family and friends; weekend travel excursions; cooking; and clay shooting with Craig. She lives on small farm in Sebring, FL. Stephanie has 5 horses, a donkey, 2 barn cats, and Nigerian Dwarf goat named Nigel, as well as 4 dogs (Grits, Miller, Gus, and Grizzley). She is 4th generation, native Floridian from Belle Glade, FL.

Mandy Cardin is the Surgery Supervisor and Equine Dental Technician at Steele Equine, where she is responsible for preparing horses for surgery, monitoring anesthesia, maintaining surgery room and equipment for sterility, assisting with surgeries and routine dental equilibration.

Mandy worked at a small animal, high volume surgical Veterinary clinic as a surgical supervisor for over 10 years. She attended and was certified at Midwest Equine Dental Academy in 2015 in Michigan. In addition, she attended the Academy of Equine Dentistry in Idaho and was certified by the International Association of Equine Dentistry (IAED) in 2016.

Mandy loves fishing, diving, showing Western pleasure horses, and barrel racing. She resides in Vero Beach FL with her husband and two children.

Hannah Engelhardt is the Laboratory and Inventory Manager at Steele Equine. Hannah maintains an accurate count of all medications entering and exiting Steele Equine. She is responsible for keeping items in stock and completing the paperwork for all in house and out going laboratory work.

At times, Hannah also puts on the Veterinary Assistant hat which allows her to lend a hand with surgeries, examinations, reproduction, treatments, and other responsibilities after-hours. She often assists with Client Communication within the facility. In addition to those tasks, she is working towards expanding her knowledge by working alongside our anesthesia technician during surgeries.

Hannah’s love for veterinary medicine bloomed when she attended Steele Equines very first youth veterinary camp. This makes Hannah the first staff member to go from camper, to now 6 years later, a valued team member.

Originally, Hannah is from Fort Myers where she grew up working cattle with her family. She excelled in rodeo, specifically in breakaway and team roping. Now when Hannah is not working, she enjoys attending church, spending time with friends, reading, fishing, and loving people the way God has called her to. Each day she strives to live up to her favorite Bible verse which states, “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30

Billee Faulkner is the Client Communication Manager at Steele Equine. She is responsible for all client communication and front office management.

Growing up and working on a ranch, Billee began her strong love for horses and learned the ins and outs of taking care of horses, cattle and dogs. Billee first met Dr. Steele while ultra-sounding cattle and fell in love with her line of work … helping animals!

Billee considers Steele Equine to be her dream job with the strongest being the Team’s devotion to place God above all.

When not at work, Billee enjoys spending her time riding horses with her husband and two boys.

Brittany Mercer is the Office Manager for Steele Equine who has an enthusiasm for ‘all things numbers and business’ (i.e., PLNs, growth projections, and reconciliations). She values the opportunity for learning and is highly meticulous and organized. Brittany began working for Steele Equine’s sister company with Ridge Large Animal in 2010 and has been working for Steele Equine since 2015. She values the sense of family and embraces being a part of the Steele Equine team - a diverse group who bring out the best in one another.

From an early age, Brittany was exposed to various aspects of Florida’s agriculture and attribute those experiences to molding a deeply rooted passion for the agricultural industry.

Brittany enjoys seeking out life’s grand adventures with her beau and dog, Clyde; entertaining with family and friends; and, everything antiques. She loves early mornings spent in a tree stand and summer nights on the air boat admiring God’s miraculous creations; she is in awe of the natural, untouched Florida. Recently, Brittany has taken to photography and hopes to improve upon capturing moments that would “otherwise be gone forever”. Her dream is to someday retire with a herd of Brahmas. She is a third generation Highlands County native and currently resides in Hardee County.

Karen Moon is the Barn Manager as well as the Fitness and Rehabilitation Manager at Steele Equine. She is responsible for the primary care of all horses in the barn as well as managing every horse enrolled in the Fitness or Rehabilitation Programs, closely monitoring each horse for health, fitness, and lameness.

Karen attended University of Findlay where she earned an Associates degree in Equestrian Studies and a Bachelor of Science degree in Equestrian Science. For 25 years, she ran her own equine training, boarding, and lesson program. Her students and horses have been successful at the state, regional, and national level. In addition, she was a small breeder of American Quarter Horses for 10 years and a science teacher at Lake Placid Christian School for 14 years.

Karen enjoys training horses and providing lessons for children. She is passionate about using her “gifts” to help equine athletes reach their fullest potential. Spending time with God and her family are her number one priorities. She loves being with her husband and children and supporting them in the activities they are involved in. She was born and raised in Highlands County.

Tiffany Brown is the Patient Manager Technician and Fitness and Rehabilitation Technician where she assists Karen Moon with the care of all horses on the property as well as with the Fitness and Rehabilitation programs.

Tiffany has been riding horses since the age of 4 and breaking her own horses since she was
11 years old. Tiffany has ridden and handled breeds from Arabians, Paso Finos, Walking and Racking Horses, Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds. Prior to working at Steele Equine, Tiffany managed personal and private breeding and training facilities. Tiffany has attended many professional development clinics including training with John and Josh Lyons, Stacy Westfall, Pat and Linda Parelli, Chris Cox, and Martha Josey. Tiffany dedicates her equine enthusiasm to her mother. Had it not been for her mother’s commitment to hauling her to horse shows at a young age, she feels as though she may not have found her “happy place”.

Tiffany has a passion for working with horses and engaging in continuous learning from breeding to performance. Her favorite scripture is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.

Bettye Steedley is a Patient Manager at Steele Equine where she is responsible for after hours and weekend care of patients; assisting the Veterinarians after hours during examinations, diagnostics, and treatments; and providing additional assistance in all departments within the practice.

Bettye’s passion for horses started at a young age with her mother riding reining horses. Upon graduation from high school, Bettye started working in the medical field and moved into Veterinary medicine where she worked as a Veterinary Assistant for 17 years. She spent 6 years with an animal rescue providing unwanted pets with a foster home.

Bettye enjoys spending time with her three grown children, Amber, Chelsey, and Timmy and two grandchildren, Brody and Brinslee. Bettye celebrates 32 years of marriage to Tim and together they have resided in Hardee County for the past 21 years.

Carrie Wells is the Lead Veterinary Technician at Steele Equine, where she works directly alongside with Dr. Steele assisting with lameness examinations, diagnostics, surgery, reproduction, and treatment.

Carrie has been a Veterinary Technician for over 10 years, working with a variety of large and small animals. Before coming to Steele Equine, she was the lead technician and head surgical technician at a mixed animal practice. During her years in the veterinary field, she came to realize that her true passion was for Equine Veterinary Medicine. Along with being a technician, she is also certified in canine and equine massage therapy with many years experience in training horses.

Carrie was born and raised in Highlands County and has been riding since the age of 3. She has participated in many English and Western shows. Currently, she spends her days riding for pleasure and taking care of her horses. After working many years in this field she feels that it was Gods perfect timing and plan for her to become part of the Steele Equine family.