Meet the team
Maria Wright, DVM
Education
Duke University 1998
University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine DVM 2003
Mid Atlantic Equine Medical Center, Ringoes, NJ Equine Internship 2004
Special Interests
Infectious Disease Control
Dentistry
Podiatry
Endocrine Disease Management
Dr. Wright is the founder of Alliance Equine Health Care, and was one of the original founding veterinarians of our predecessor practice, Brandywine Equine Veterinary Associates. She grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota. She started riding at a young age and soon was competing with her Quarter Horses in 4-H and regional western, hunter, and dressage shows. By high school she was competing successfully on the national AQHA circuit, and she achieved numerous high placings at the AQHA Youth World Championship Show and the Quarter Horse Congress. Since then, Dr. Wright has developed knowledge of a diverse range of equine breeds and disciplines, oartly gained through her years working with horses during her travels all over the country. She is happy to have settled down in beautiful southeastern Pennsylvania.
Professionally, Dr. Wright divides her between directly caring for her patients, working to improve our overall practice’s care of our patients and clients, and philanthropic work to improve the equine industry. She is an advisory board member for local benevolent equine organizations, is a member of the AAEP Infectious Disease Committee, and is on the Scholarship Selection Committee for The Foundation for The Horse. In her down time, she enjoys family horse camping trips, gardening, playing the violin, and singing in a local choir.
Grace Abbott, DVM
Education
Clemson University 2020
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine DVM 2023
Unionville Equine, Oxford, PA Equine Internship 2024
Special Interests
Dentistry
Comprehensive Medicine
Dr. Abbott was born and raised in South Carolina riding and showing Tennessee Walking horses. She attended Clemson University for her undergraduate education in preveterinary science. After graduating from Clemson in 2020, she attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. She graduated in January of 2024 and completed an internship at Unionville Equine in Oxford, PA. She has a passion for dentistry and comprehensive medicine. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to Phillies games, needlepointing and spoiling her dogs and cats, Blakeley, Carter, Ozzy, and Petunia.
Colleen O'Leary, DVM
Education
George Mason University 2017
Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine DVM 2022
Chi University Acupuncture Certification 2021​
Options for Animals College of Animal Chiropractic Certification 2023
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Special Interests
Veterinary Acupuncture
Veterinary Chiropractic Manipulation
Sports Medicine
Dr. Colleen O’Leary was born and raised in Northern Virginia. From a young age, she developed a deep passion for equestrian sports. One day after months of persistent begging, her parents finally agreed to let her start riding lessons, a decision that would shape her future. This early love for horses never waned, and it inspired Dr.O'Leary to pursue a career dedicated to their care. She attended Iowa State
University, where she diligently worked to earn her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. She has furthered her professional skills by becoming certified in veterinary acupuncture and chiropractic manipulation.
Outside of her professional life, Dr. O'Leary remains deeply involved in the equestrian community. She competes in lower-level dressage with her beloved horse, Cupid, showcasing the bond and skills they have developed together. Her commitment to the sport reflects her lifelong dedication to horses. When she’s not at the clinic or riding Cupid, Dr. Colleen cherishes her time in nature. She enjoys exploring the great outdoors with her husband and their dogs.
Melissa Murphy
Client Care Team Lead
Melissa has recently returned to southeastern Pennsylvania, and is thrilled to be returning to the Pennsylvania equine community. She is a highly experienced in veterinary medicine, having spent most of her working career in the small animal veterinary field, and is an experienced veterinary practice manager. Melissa grew up riding horses and earned her degree from Delaware Valley University, where she was highly involved in their equine studies program. Horses are her true passion and she is very excited to be able to focus her veterinary skills to help our equine patients and their owners.
Jennifer Monroe
Client Care and Communications Specialist
Jennifer was born and raised in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She developed a great love for horses when she first started riding at age 6. As time went on she decided to pursue higher education in the equine field and graduated from Delaware Valley University in 2001 with a Bachelors of Science in Equine Business and Management, in addition to an associates degree in Equine Studies. After college, Jennifer started a family. As her children got older she knew she had to get back to her passion with horses. She worked at barns, teaching lessons to students and taking them to local shows. She currently owns a draft cross named Bayleigh who she rides for pleasure. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, going on hikes, and shopping.
Natalie Marks
Veterinary Assistant
Natalie grew up in Chester Springs and received the best Christmas present ever when she was 11 years old- a horse! She rode competitively for 4 years, and then for pleasure after that. She continued to grow her love for and knowledge of horses at Delaware Valley University, where she pursued a degree in Equine Science and Management. She worked at Pickering Valley Feed and Farm for 15 years and appreciated learning different aspects of horse and farm animal care. In her free time, Natalie enjoys going to the gym and competing in bodybuilding events! She also has a small zoo at home, consisting of 2 dogs, 2 cats, 3 rats, 2 chickens, 8 birds, and her 6 year old son, Andrew.
Meah Lanciano
Veterinary Assistant
Meah is a native south Philadelphian who began riding when she was 8 years old. Her passion for horses only grew stronger over the years, so when she decided to go to college, she chose Delaware Valley University. Meah graduated in 2024 with her degree in Equine Management, having specialized in instruction and training, and also achieved her stage 2 certification from the British Horse Society! Throughout college, Meah stayed heavily involved with the horses on campus. She worked at the Equestrian Center from day one, through summer and winter breaks, right up until the class of 2028 arrived. Between work and study, Meah even found time to partner running the Del Val Equine social media platforms for her junior and senior years! When she's not working, Meah loves riding dressage and spending quality time with her friends and family.
Desiree Stoltzfus
Veterinary Assistant
Desiree grew up in the heart of Chester County horse country, participating with her grandfather in fox hunting with the Cheshire Foxhounds. She worked as an exercise rider in a local steeplechase/fox hunting stable and competed in steeplechases and hunter/jumper events herself during high school. Desiree then set aside her passion for horses for 16 years in order to focus on her family, raising two fantastic kids!
Horses are once again a huge part of Desiree’s life. She and her family currently own two Thoroughbreds and two miniature horses, as well as a menagerie of other animals. She competes in local hunter/jumper competitions with her Thoroughbred, and fun miniature horse shows with her minis. Desiree is also a great humanitarian- her philanthropic activities include volunteering with local aid organizations and frequent mission trips to Guatemala. She joined Alliance Equine in 2013, and her compassionate spirit and love for animals make her a great member of our team!
