Dr. Katy Brandes grew up horseback riding, skiing, hiking, and biking in the mountains of central Colorado. As a child, her family became medical missionaries for a year in rural Tanzania, which pushed her animal interest towards the veterinary aspect. Back in the States, she continued her equine interests in a variety of disciplines from low-level hunter/jumper, trail guide, mounted drill team performer, multi-discipline 4-H competitor, and youth Missouri Fox Trotter ambassador at local and national shows.

Dr. Brandes attended Colorado State University for her undergraduate and veterinary medical degrees. While at CSU, she enjoyed competing with the school’s versatility ranch horse team and worked in a virology laboratory as a research assistant focused on the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1. After graduating with her DVM in 2016, Dr. Brandes traveled to the PNW to complete a one-year equine rotating internship at Pilchuck Veterinary Equine Hospital and has moved back to the Seattle area after spending three years as a general equine and small ruminant practitioner in the oven of Los Angeles.

Since completing her internship, Dr. Brandes has enjoyed the wide breadth of general equine practice but particularly enjoys lameness, dentistry, and geriatric care. High-quality equine care and continuing education are ongoing passions and you can often find her consulting with colleagues and keeping up to date with recent research to provide the best care possible.

Outside of work, Dr. Brandes is an avid outdoors person and has traversed much of the west (and some of the globe!) by horse, river, backpack, and mountain bike. COVID-19 prevented her through-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2020, but you can find her section-hiking during the summer. She also enjoys spending time with her cat, horse, a good book, and a good craft beer.

Education

Colorado State University

DVM, 2016

Certifications & Affiliations

American Association of Equine Practitioners

American Veterinary Medical Association