Our Vets

Meet Our Veterinarians

Kevin Dunlavy — Louisville, KY — Kentucky Equine Medical Associates PLLC

Kevin Dunlavy, DVM

Dr. Dunlavy is the managing partner of Kentucky Equine Medical Associates, PLLC.

His father, a breeder/owner and former jockey and trainer, Dr. Dunlavy, was immersed in horse racing from childhood. He earned a DVM degree in 1991 from Louisiana State University and a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry in 1988 from the University of Arkansas.

A member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners since 1991, Dr. Dunlavy has served on its Racing Committee, Ethics Committee, and On-Call Program.

He has been the attending veterinarian for eight Kentucky Derby winners, including Justify (Triple Crown winner ’18), American Pharoah (Triple Crown winner ’15), California Chrome (’14), Mine That Bird (’09), Real Quiet (’98), Silver Charm (’97), War Emblem ('02), and Authentic ('20) .

Dr. Dunlavy offers clients cutting-edge veterinary service and an intuitive perspective built upon a lifetime of working with horses.

When not working with horses, he spends family time with his wife Polly and children Tristan, Kate, and Ethan.

Phil Tripp — Louisville, KY — Kentucky Equine Medical Associates PLLC

Phil Tripp, DVM

Dr. Tripp is a founding partner of Kentucky Equine Medical Associates, PLLC.

Raised in the Sooner state of Oklahoma, Dr. Tripp earned a DVM degree in 1986 and a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982, both from Oklahoma State University.

His professional affiliations include:

The American Association of Equine Practitioners.
Serving on the Professional Conduct & Ethics Committee.
The American Veterinary Medical Association.
The Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Tripp’s professional focus is on equine sports medicine and lameness, while his personal priorities involve family and church activities.

He is a hunter, fisherman, and all-around outdoorsman who also raises Charolais and Angus cattle.

Tyler Frazee — Louisville, KY — Kentucky Equine Medical Associates PLLC

Tyler Frazee, DVM

Dr. Frazee is a partner at Kentucky Equine Medical Associates, PLLC

Born and raised in the small ranching community of Eads, CO.

Dr. Frazee, along with his mother and two older brothers, spent summers at the racetrack with their father, who trains Thoroughbreds.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1998 in animal science from Oklahoma State University, and in 2004 he completed a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine from Ross University.

Dr. Frazee worked for Pine Bush Equine in upstate NY before joining Kentucky Equine Medical Associates in 2006.

Outside work, he spends time with his family – his wife Cheryl and three children. Dr. Frazee is an enthusiastic outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, fishing, and golfing.

Ethan Wilborn — Louisville, KY — Kentucky Equine Medical Associates PLLC

Ethan Wilborn, DVM

Dr. Wilborn is a partner of Kentucky Equine Medical Associates, PLLC.

A third-generation horsemen, Dr. Wilborn has been involved in thoroughbred racing his entire life. He earned an undergraduate degree in agriculture from Murray State University in 2013, followed by simultaneous Master’s in Public Health and DVM degrees from the University of Missouri in 2017.

Dr. Wilborn offers clients a well-rounded approach built upon his experiences in the trainer's shoes alongside his father and grandfather.

When not practicing veterinary medicine, he is found riding his own horses with his wife, Erin, and children, Lane and Reagan.

Nicole Wettstein — Louisville, KY — Kentucky Equine Medical Associates PLLC

Nicole Wettstein, DVM

Originally from Central Illinois, Dr. Wettstein completed her undergraduate degree in equine science at Colorado State University in 2005. She then pursued a breeding and farm management career and later transitioned into business as an office manager for an agricultural sales company. It didn’t take long to realize that her passion was back in the barn. In 2017, she graduated with a doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Illinois.

Dr. Wettstein went on to complete an internship at West Coast Equine Hospital in Southern California. She then moved to Lexington, KY, taking an associate position at a practice specializing in Thoroughbred breeding and sales work. A long-time racing enthusiast, she had the opportunity to work at the Keeneland race meet and decided to pursue racetrack medicine full-time with KEMA.

With a strong foundation in horsemanship, business, and equine medicine, Dr. Wettstein brings a unique set of skills to the practice. She is also enrolled in the Chi Institute’s Equine Acupuncture Certification course and completed the program in December 2020.

She has been a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Veterinary Medical Association since 2013.

Outside of work, Dr. Wettstein spends her time golfing, snowboarding, and searching for the best local food spots in town.