Linda Hagerman, DVM
Veterinarian/Owner

Dr. Linda Hagerman has always loved horses and wanted to become an equine veterinarian.  She was born and raised in Michigan and attended Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 1989.  The beautiful mix of water and mountains brought her to Washington in 1990. 

Her veterinary career has centered mostly on performance horses, enjoying the challenge of collaborating with owners and trainers to create healthy, sound horses that can excel at their athletic endeavors.  She had worked at several racetracks on the West Coast for 9 years before joining Tacoma Equine Hospital and now currently is active with all kinds of athletic horses including hunters, jumpers, dressage, 3 day eventers, western and English show horses, cow horses, barrel horses, endurance, and competitive driving. 

What's most important to Dr. Hagerman and what is reflected in Tacoma Equine Hospital's ethics is helping owners create a healthy, happy family pet that will live "forever".  She feels that a good preventative care program, including an annual physical exam, dental care, routine vaccinations, a comprehensive deworming program, and regular exercise, can make a difference towards good health and limit serious illness.

In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities including camping, biking, sailing, kayaking and, of course, horseback riding.  Currently she is mother to an ex-racehorse, Ambitious Flyer, who is an awesome foxhunter and stadium jumper.  You may have met her other son, Molson, the heeler cross pictured above, at the clinic or barn.

Dr. Hagerman welcomes you to come visit the clinic or contact Tacoma Equine Hospital if you have any questions or concerns.
 

Tricia Arnold, DVM
Veterinarian/Associate
IVCA-certified Animal Chiropractor

Dr. Tricia Arnold is originally from Calgary, Alberta.  From several generations of equestrians, she grew up involved in pony club and specialized in 3-day eventing.  She proudly represented the Alberta Young Riders 3-Day Event Team in Chicago in 1981 and Maple Ridge, B.C. in 1982. 

She then began her university education and graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1989.  She acquired her DVM from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1993.  Following graduation, Tricia completed an internship in Equine Medicine & Surgery at the Okotoks Animal Clinic in Calgary, Alberta.  She then went on as a racetrack practitioner working the Thoroughbred racetracks in Alberta, followed by four years at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario.  She was offered an excellent opportunity in Louisville, Kentucky where she worked for eight years with race, 3-day event and pleasure horses. 

Tricia has a wonderful young daughter, Melissa, who is interested in horseback riding, cross country running, and acting.  They share their lives (and moves) with Nellie, a Jack Russell Terrier, two cats named Emma and Toby, and a flock of chickens.  She is excited to be with Tacoma Equine Hospital to be both closer to family and join a wonderful team!

Meg deGravelles, DVM
Veterinarian/Associate

Dr. Meg is a graduate of Louisiana State University's School of Veterinary Medicine.  She was born and raised in Baton Rouge, though has always enjoyed traveling and living in any locale with fewer mosquitoes than Louisiana.  Meg and the dogs who own her (a basset hound, a husky, and a large terrier mix) have lived in Utah, Oregon, Alaska, and Wyoming.  She feels most at home in the mountains, out on the rugby field, or atop her horse, which is possibly the slowest racehorse to ever come out of the South. 

Nicole Hardesty
Office Manager

Nicole was born in Alaska, where she discovered her love of horses.  Her first riding horse was an ex-bucking bronco named Shadow, who taught her a lot about balance and horsemanship.  Later, when she moved to Washington, she joined 4-H and continued to learn about horses.  Currently she has 2 horses, an Appaloosa named Mert and an Arabian named Promises, who are both in their twenties.  Horses have always been an integral part of her life.

Nicole graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Animal Sciences.  After school she stepped away from horses for a bit and started a family.  She has two young boys, Michael and Kyle, who keep her very busy and are very interested in farm life and enjoy spending time with the horses.  In July 2005, Nicole joined Tacoma Equine Hospital.

In what little spare time she has, Nicole enjoys riding Mert and a 4-wheeler.  She also enjoys playing with her Boxer/Lab mix Aggie and going to the park with her boys.

Karen Sonju
Veterinary Assistant/Office Assistant/Webmaster

A Washington native, Karen grew up in central Massachusetts.  Though she always had a love of horses, she didn't truly become involved with them until a fateful day when she was 14 and her mom made the mistake of asking her if she was interested in taking horseback riding lessons.  Ever since then, Karen's life has revolved around everything equine.  A graduate of Oregon State University with a B.S. in Animal Sciences with an Equine Option, she completed an internship in Kentucky on a Thoroughbred broodmare farm.  This started her love of breeding and foaling and led her to her next job in California as an assistant broodmare manager on an Arabian farm.  After spending a couple of years in warm, sunny Southern California, Karen relocated to Washington and joined Tacoma Equine Hospital in 2007.  Karen's menagerie consists of three cats, a miniature schnauzer named Greta, and an Appendix Quarter Horse named Rumba.

Hilary Rice
Veterinary Assistant

A recent graduate from the University of Puget Sound with a B.S. in Biochemistry, Hilary was accepted to the WSU Veterinary Program.  She hails from Minnesota and has two Quarter Horses named Scant and Penelopea and a black lab named Shadow.  Hilary started riding when she was 8 years old and competed successfully in barrel racing as well as being an active member in 4-H and on a junior equestrian team, The JETs.  Hilary started at Tacoma Equine in the summer of 2009 and continued part-time throughout her last year of college.  She's excited to be back full-time and looks forward to expanding her equine medical experience.     
 

Sledding Party 2009 (L→R Melissa Arnold, Dr. Tricia Arnold, Dr. Meg deGravelles,
Dr. Linda Hagerman, Nicole Hardesty, Michael Hardesty, Karen Sonju)
 

MISSION STATEMENT

We will provide superior veterinary care to our patients by practicing the most advanced medical therapies and utilizing the latest technologies.

We will provide outstanding customer service and always treat our clients and patients with respect and compassion.

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