Meet Our Team

Dr. Jason McLendon is originally from Carrollton, GA. His grandparents owned farms in South Georgia and this is where he spent a lot of his childhood summers. It was through these experiences that he knew that he wanted to be a veterinarian. When he was fifteen years old, he started working for mixed animal veterinarians in Carroll County, Georgia. He soon realized that he had a passion for the large animal side of veterinary medicine. He obtained a Bachelor of Animal Science from the University of Georgia in 1996. While attending the University of Georgia, he was employed by the UGA School of Veterinary Medicine as a veterinary technician. After graduating college and before buckling down to go to veterinary school, Dr. McLendon was employed by a purebred Angus farm in Glasgow, Montana.

Dr. McLendon moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana from Montana to attend Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. While in veterinary school, he worked for mixed animal veterinarians as well as a large Arabian breeding and training farm. He also lived on a farm and managed an equine boarding facility while attending veterinary school. While in veterinary school, Dr. McLendon completed several externships at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital (Lexington, Kentucky), Pea Ridge Veterinary Clinic (Pea Ridge, Arkansas), and Equine Medical Associates (Hawkinsville, GA). He graduated from LSU SVM in 2001.

After completing veterinary school, Dr. McLendon returned to Georgia and worked as an equine ambulatory practitioner. After one year in the field, he went to work at Coosa Valley Equine Center in Pell City, Alabama. Coosa Valley Equine Center is a surgical referral center that specializes in equine lameness diagnosis and treatment. Dr. McLendon worked at CVEC for almost three years and then returned to Georgia.

Southern Crescent Equine Services was established in 2005 in Newnan, GA and is a general equine practice that offers a wide variety of services. Dr. McLendon’s special interests include sports medicine, minor surgeries, reproduction, and dentistry. Dr. McLendon is also an FEI accredited treating veterinarian.

What do you enjoy doing when not working with patients at SCES?
‍“I enjoy spending time with my family. It’s more challenging as my children are grown and not living under my roof. We enjoy time at the lake and the family farm in South Georgia.”

What made you want to pursue a career as an Equine veterinarian?
‍“I’ve always enjoyed animals and knew I wanted to be a veterinarian since I was a teenager. I fell in love with horses while I was in college and that’s when I realized I wanted to focus my veterinary career on the coolest animal on the planet – the horse! “

What is the most fulfilling part of being an Equine veterinarian?
‍“I enjoy the long lasting relationships we develop over the years with our clients. We see some clients on a weekly to monthly basis and that gives us the opportunity to really get to know them and their families. I also like being part of a team. We have the opportunity to work with trainers, managers, and owners to help them and their horses reach their goals. It’s very rewarding helping the horses compete in the show ring or helping to bring the next greatest horse into the world.”

Dr. Libby Reidy was born and raised on a small farm in West Virginia. The horse obsession began very early and continues today. She enjoyed competing in dressage, eventing, fox hunting, and Pony Club (H/H-A rated). She went to Bethany College in Bethany, WV where she received her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and a minor in Women’s Studies in 2010. She graduated in 2014 with her doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Auburn University. (WAR EAGLE!!)

After vet school, Dr. Libby completed a one-year (2014–2015) equine specialty internship at Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center in Ringoes, NJ. She joined Southern Crescent Equine Services in 2015 after completion of her internship. She was always interested in an integrated medicine approach to treating her patients. As a result, she became certified in Equine Acupuncture from The Chi Institute in 2016, followed by a certification in animal chiropractic from Options for Animals in 2020. Dr. Reidy believes strongly in practicing a true mix of western and eastern medicine to help her patients reach their maximum potential for performance and health. She is an FEI Level 1 Official Veterinarian.

What do you enjoy doing when not working with patients at SCES?
‍“Riding my horse, adventuring with my dog, rock climbing, yoga, traveling, reading, and gardening.”

What made you want to pursue a career as an Equine veterinarian?
‍“I grew up on a small farm with horses in WV. The horse bug bit me early. My horse vet early on nurtured my curiosity on all things veterinary during his visits and later working for him.”

What is the most fulfilling part of being an Equine veterinarian?
‍“Being part of a team, no matter how big or small, to help horses and their people reach their general health, performance, reproductive, and life goals.”

Dr. Katy Mayhew joined Southern Crescent Equine Services in March of 2022. She attended veterinary school at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine as part of the class of 2016. She completed a rotating internship at Littleton Equine Medical Center in Colorado prior to practicing general equine medicine near Athens, GA for 4 years. She started her own dentistry-only practice in 2021 but was thrilled for the opportunity to join Southern Crescent Equine as an associate a little over a year later.

Dr. Mayhew has a strong interest in advanced oral care, dentistry and tooth extractions. Dr. Mayhew also offers chiropractic and acupuncture services for horses and takes a whole health approach to every case.

What do you enjoy doing when not working with patients at SCES?
‍“Riding my horse Tivoli, spending time with my husband and daughter, hiking, gardening, and drinking good coffee.”

What made you want to pursue a career as an Equine veterinarian?
‍“Growing up a crazy horse kid that also loved Math and Science. I wanted to be able to work at side and with horses every day.”

What is the most fulfilling part of being an Equine veterinarian?
‍“Helping old horses feel their best and helping clients enjoy their horses.”

Dr. Katie Winkles is originally from Pine Mountain, GA. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Columbus State University in 2016, and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia in 2020. Through her time in veterinary school, she had the opportunity to travel to multiple externships all over the country. The diversity she experienced broadened her scope of equine practice and ultimately led to an internship out West. Following graduation, she completed a rotating internship at Weatherford Equine Medical Center in Weatherford, Texas. After working as an associate at the other practices following her internship, she was very happy to come back home to SCES and started in the Summer of 2022. She enjoys all aspects of equine medicine and has specific interests in preventative care, reproduction, lameness, and surgery. Dr Winkles is certified as an FEI Official Level One Veterinarian.

What do you enjoy doing when not working with patients at SCES?
‍“You can find me walking my dog Bonnie on the LINC trail, working out at the gym, playing piano, or curled up with a book. Recently, my boyfriend and I have started sailing and scuba diving.”

What made you want to pursue a career as an Equine veterinarian?
‍“As a little kid I thought veterinarians had the coolest job ever, getting to spend time with animals all day. I am the stereotypical All Creatures Great And Small fan. Further in my education, I became fascinated by the science and puzzle of medicine. I chose Equine medicine not only for my love of horses, but because I enjoy going to the farm and being a part of the barn team. Equine medicine is unique in how diverse the medicine really is, and the procedures we can accomplish out in the field. The lifestyle is certainly not for everyone, but I am very proud to be an equine veterinarian and can not imagine doing anything else.”

What is the most fulfilling part of being an Equine veterinarian?
‍“The excited messages I receive from clients sharing the success of my patients. Anything from a resolved lameness leading to higher performance, or a horse gaining a healthy weight and leading a happier life due to the work we the team put in together. It is a heartwarming feeling to be a part of this equestrian community.”

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Dr. Erwin is originally from Suwanee, GA. She has a background in English performance horses, competing in hunter/jumpers and eventing. She attended undergrad at the University of Georgia, earning a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 2017. Dr. Erwin spent a year working at an equine practice in Aiken, SC prior to returning to the University of Georgia for veterinary school. Following vet school, Dr. Erwin completed a rotating equine specialty internship at the Equine Medical Center of Ocala in Florida. She enjoys all aspects of general practice, with special professional interests in internal/neonatal, emergency, dentistry, and preventative medicine.

What do you enjoy doing when not working with patients at SCES?
‍“I enjoy kayaking, cooking, working out, and exploring a local farmers market. I also love cheering on the Dawgs on fall Saturdays and spending time with my husband, and our dog and cat, Stella and Fitzgerald.”

What made you want to pursue a career as an Equine veterinarian?
‍“A married love for horses and science together. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

What is the most fulfilling part of being an Equine veterinarian?
‍“Relationships with clients, patients, and education. Also seeing a patient thrive after an intense illness or hospitalization.”