APRIL DOWNEY, V.M.D.

Dr. April Downey grew up outside of Saratoga Springs, New York.  She always had an interest in horses, going to the races and riding show horses while she was growing up, and she rode for the Boston University equestrian team while an undergraduate there.  Dr. Downey also had a strong interest in marine life, and decided to pursue that field in her college studies, receiving her undergraduate degree in marine biology from Boston University in 1996.  During her junior year, she decided to go to vet school with the intention of practicing on fish and marine mammals.  She attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine where her love of horses changed the direction of her vet school program toward equine sports medicine and surgery.  She spent the four summers of her vet school years riding with a racetrack veterinarian at Saratoga, and she received her veterinary medical degree in 2000. 

From 2000 – 2001, Dr. Downey began her work career with Yergey, Stewart, & Vallance, practicing at Laurel, Bowie, Pimlico and Colonial Downs racetracks.  For the next four years she worked for Belmont Veterinary Group, practicing at Belmont Park, Aqueduct, Saratoga, and Palm Meadows Training Center.  In April 2005, she joined Teigland, Franklin & Brokken, and enjoys practicing at Saratoga Race Track in the summer and Palm Meadows Training Center during the winter.

Dr. Downey’s primary areas of interest are lameness, upper airway problems, and diagnostics, including the use of digital radiographs and ultrasonography.  She is licensed in Florida, New York, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, and is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Florida Association of Equine Practitioners. 

Although many of you know her as April McCord, April changed her surname to Downey after her marriage last September.  Outside of work, she enjoys playing Texas Hold ‘Em, international travel and SCUBA diving with her husband, Kevin, and spending time with her family.