Dr. Melissa Eden, DVM, BSc.

Equine Veterinarian, Owner

Dr. Melissa Eden was born and raised in Victoria B.C. She grew up in the local equine community competing in the area of three-day eventing, with her horse Shaba. As a young girl, Dr. Eden had a keen passion for horses and all animals, and developed a strong interest in medical sciences at a young age. Dr. Eden earned her BSc. in Biology at the University of Victoria, she then moved to Saskatoon and entered the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. She met her future husband, a fellow student, at the University of Victoria prior to embarking on her next level of education. They are both extremely happy to be back home. They now have two young children who have that sparkle in their eye for anything equine!

Dr. Eden has held externships/positions and visited multiple world-class equine practices in the United States and Canada during and following her veterinary education. These have included Wise Equine Veterinary Services, Bend Equine Medical Centre, Pilchuk Veterinary Hospital, Hagyard’s Equine Medical Institute, Paton and Martin Veterinary Services, Rood and Riddle Medical Hospital, and Myhre Equine Clinic.

After graduation from WCVM in 2011, she took an associate position in Alberta in a mixed practice just south of Calgary, doing the majority of their equine work. Her first year in practice proved to be phenomenal, with unique and rewarding experiences. She gained a wealth of experience performing equine preventative medicine, field surgeries, reproductive work, and after hours emergencies. While working in Alberta, she was very lucky to have acquired a new Warmblood mare, Carona, that is her forever horse.

Dr. Eden’s special interests in her practice include equine dentistry, ophthalmology, field surgery, lameness examinations and reproduction. She has obtained advanced continuing education in equine dentistry with the International College of Equine Veterinary Odontologists (ICEVO). Dr. Eden strives to attend valuable and practical continuing education. These include practical wet lab courses through VetPD, Annual Delta equine conference, Annual AAEP conventions and the BEVA Congress in England, thus remaining current and forthcoming, to best serve her patients.

While she loved her studies in Saskatoon, and enjoyed working in Alberta, she always knew she would come home. She is delighted to be back in Victoria and to give back to the equine community that fostered her passion as she grew up on southern Vancouver Island. Dr. Eden opened her practice Eden Equine Veterinary Services in Spring 2012, and recently has partnered with her long term friend and colleague, Dr. Andrea Plaxton.

She looks forward to growing with the equine community of Greater Victoria over many years to come!

Dr. Andrea Plaxton, DVM, BSc.

Equine Veterinarian, Owner

Dr. Andrea Plaxton was born and raised in Victoria, B.C. Andrea had a love for horses at a very early age and began competing in equine competitions by the age of seven. During the earlier years, she was also heavily involved in the Metchosin Pony Club and BC Modern Pentathlon.

To make her dream of becoming a veterinarian a reality, Andrea attained a Bachelor of Science degree in Agroecology and Animal Science with Honours from the University of British Columbia and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine designation from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008.

Following graduation, Dr. Plaxton took a position at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine as a Clinical Associate in Equine Field Service. Throughout her time with the College she taught students in their fourth year of clinical rotation. During racing season, Dr. Plaxton spent most of her time as the backstretch veterinarian at the local thoroughbred racetrack.

Wanting to return to the Island, Andrea opened Epona Equine Veterinary Services Ltd in the Comox Valley in 2013. In 2019, Andrea returned to Victoria and partnered with her long time friend and colleague Melissa Eden. It was at that time, Eden & Plaxton Equine was formed.

Although interested in all aspects of horse health, Andrea considers equine dentistry and lameness to be areas of special interest.

Andrea can always be found with her sidekick, 12 year old American Pitbull, Marley and when not working, enjoys riding her Dutch Warmblood, M&M, in addition to hiking, running and strength training.

Richelle Langard

Veterinary Assistant

Richelle Langard was born and raised in Victoria, B.C. She demonstrates a lifelong passion and love for horses, which was evident from a young age. She currently owns two horses that she has the pleasure of keeping at home. Nevar, who has been with Richelle for over the past 12 years, is a dark bay Holsteiner mare that was a prominent competition partner in higher level Dressage and is now enjoying retired life. Her second horse is a young Selle Francais/ Clyde Cross named Ariel, who she bought as a 2-year-old. Richelle has recently started training Ariel in dressage and the mare shows a promising future.

When Richelle isn’t at the stables with her horses, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, hiking, and camping with her 3-year-old American Pitty rescue, Joe.

Richelle is the friendly voice on the other side of the phone when you call the clinic and has been with Melissa since the practice first started.

Camille Stone

Veterinary Assistant

Camille Stone was born and raised in Victoria, B.C. She has been riding since she was 10 years old and competed in hunter/jumper circuit until recently. She owns a 22 year-old Warmblood x Thoroughbred that was bred locally from the island famous stallion, Wallenstine. As of today, they have been partnered for 10+ years and have accomplished a lot in that time. To name a few, they competed in the Grand Prix field at Thunderbird show park, competed at Spruce Meadows and won a local 6-Bar competition. They now enjoy casual rides, trail rides and even beach rides.

While Wyzoon is enjoying a semi-retired life, Camille is often found on the hiking trails, the beach, with family and friends, or camping with her two dogs, JellyBean, a 7 year old rescued pitty lab cross, and Franklin, a 4 year old French Bulldog.