Roanoke Valley Equine Clinic traces its origin back to August of 1984 when Dr. Darnton started a solo ambulatory practice working out of his home in Boones Mill.  As the practice grew, the business office was moved to Daleville in 1988.  Then in June of 1990 Dr. Trimpi joined the practice and the name became Roanoke Valley Equine Clinic.  RVEC continued to be solely an ambulatory practice until June of 1994 when the current clinic facility was completed and occupied.

The current clinic includes a large heated treatment area, surgery room and recovery stall. The boarding facilities consist of three large heated stalls, three unheated stalls and outdoor paddocks.  There is a large lunging area used for lameness / pre-purchase exams, and steep slopes are available for neurological exams.  In addition to the business office, the clinic also houses an in-house laboratory and a store stocked with recommended supplies and supplements.

Susan, RVEC's office manager, was born and raised in the Roanoke Valley.  She currently resides on a farm in Chamblissburg, in Bedford County, with her husband, 3 dogs, 4 horses, 4 cows and a rooster; Eee-eye-eee-eye-oh!

She joined the RVEC team in November of 2003 and previously managed a publishing office and in-flight training for an airline.  Although she and her husband no longer own a breeding stallion, or gentle and train youngsters (horses, that is!), she still enjoys trail riding and attending horse shows as a spectator.  She has a great respect for all disciplines and finds them a wonderful insight in the bond between horse and human.

Cindi Smith, "The Voice on the Phone," and the backbone of our front office, hails from Indiana and has been working with horses since she was 7 years old.  She trained 2 year-old Arabians, (a feat in itself) and served a 2-year apprenticeship with Quarter Horse stallions during breeding season. 

Her first love, however, is, and always will be Hunter-Jumpers.  Cindi moved to Virginia in 1999 and managed a non-profit rescue center for horses, dogs, cats, and birds.  She currently resides in Fincastle with her fiance`, Gary, 3 dogs, 4 cats and 2 mini dwarfs! Definitely someone with a BIG heart!

Brief discription of facilities, and surgeries / treatments that can be performed.

Slide show of facilities and treatments coming soon!

In high school Dr. Darnton was active in both 4-H and Pony Club.  After graduation from Blacksburg High School he went to the Maple Valley School of Horsemanship, a 3-Day barn, in Toronto, Canada.  As a working student he was responsible for a barn of 35 horses, taught lessons and earned spending money by braiding manes and tails and parking trailers at horse shows

In 1974 Dr. Darnton returned to Virginia Tech.  He completed a BS in Biochemistry, was awarded the James Lewis Howe award in biochemistry and inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.

In 1977 he was one of 11 Virginia students accepted to the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.  He graduated in 1981, receiving the Excellence in Equine Medicine and Surgery award, and then went to Texas A&M University where he completed an Internship in Large Animal Medicine and Surgery.

Dr. Darnton returned to Virginia in 1982 and spent a year with a mixed large animal practice and another year doing commercial embryo transfer before starting his own practice in the Roanoke Valley in 1984. 

A long-standing member of the American Endurance Ride Conference, Dr. Darnton donated many hours judging and vetting endurance rides.  The last 10 years he has pursued an interest in dentistry and has accumulated over 100 hours of advanced training.

Dr. Darnton is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the International Association of Equine Dentists.  His hobbies include back-packing in the Sierra Nevada and biking.  His daughter is a Junior at the University of Georgia.  His son works as an engineer in Seattle, WA.