Crystal Smith, Ed.D.
Teaching Professor
(304) 980-3040 Crystal.Smith@mail.wvu.eduDr. Smith is a teaching professor in the Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences within the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design. She was raised on a horse farm in central Pennsylvania where she showed horses to multiple national championships as a youth. Her background and experience led her to pursue a B.S. in Animal Science at Penn State. After working as an assistant trainer, she returned to Penn State to pursue a Masters degree in Animal Science where she planned programs for Penn State's Equine Science Program and conducted research for the American Youth Horse Council. Before joining the faculty at WVU, Dr. Smith was an Animal Science Extension Agent in a five-county area of Northwest Virginia where she provided nationally recognized equine educational programs and farm consultations for horse owners. At WVU, she leads the Equine Studies program, mentors students, and manages the horse unit at the JW Ruby Research Farm. For more information about Dr. Smith or her courses, please contact her at Crystal.Smith@mail.wvu.edu.
Carol Petitto, Ph.D
Adjunct Instructor
Carol.Petitto@mail.wvu.eduDr. Petitto is an adjunct instructor in the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design. She is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) Certified Registered Level Instructor and Mentor. Dr. Petitto serves as a PATH Region III representative and Executive Director of On Eagles’ Wings Therapeutic Horsemanship Center in Fairmont, West Virginia. She teaches courses in Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) I & II. She also helped develop and facilitate a WVU Professional and Continuing Education course on EAAT through WVU Online. For more information about Dr. Petitto or her courses, please contact her at Carol.Petitto@mail.wvu.edu.
Fred Carper, Certified Journeyman Farrier
Adjunct Instructor
fcarper@gmail.comMr. Carper is an adjunct instructor in the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design. He is an honors graduate of the Maryland Horse Shoeing School. Mr. Carper received his journeyman certification and is a life member of the Brotherhood of Working Farriers Association. His focus in the field has been to provide the horse with a correctly balanced hoof to promote natural movement and extend the usable lifespan by correctly aligning the bone structure of the lower leg. He has worked with a wide range of horses, from the backyard horse to Lipizzaner Stallions, and athletes from all disciplines including hunters, western, dressage and barrel horses. For more information about Mr. Carper or his courses, please contact him at fcarper@gmail.com
Tracy Walker, DVM
Adjunct Instructor
tracywalkerdvm@gmail.comDr. Walker is an adjunct instructor in the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design. She completed her veterinary training at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine where she focused her studies on large animal medicine and surgery. Upon graduation from veterinary school, Dr. Walker remained at the University of Georgia for advanced clinical training in an equine and large animal internship. In addition to her formal training, Dr. Walker traveled to various areas of the country and gained invaluable experience in sport horse medicine, mare management and foal care before opening Allegheny Equine Veterinary Service in Elkins, West Virginia. She served as a past board member for the West Virginia Veterinary Medical Association, served on the American Association of Equine Practitioners Professional Conduct and Ethics Committee in 2012, and recently earned her Diplomate AVBP Equine specialty. For more information about Dr. Walker or her courses, please contact her at tracywalkerdvm@gmail.com.