Instructors
We have a variety of instructors that are present at every class. These instructors have well over a century of combined experience in equine dentistry. We also have one rotating instructor in every class that is selected from a pool of certified technicians and veterinarians.
During every class, 15-20 certified technicians come from all over the world to help teach the wet-lab portion of the course. These dedicated practitioners form the core of our continuing education program. They bring valuable experience from within their areas of interest and expertise to the Academy.
At the Academy, you will find a variety of instructors working together to provide the student with the best education possible, while simultaneously striving to provide the highest level of equine dental equilibration available.
Bernard Fletcher |
Bernard Fletcher DVM, is from Bennington, Nebraska. Dr. Fletcher attended veterinary school at Kansas State University, where he also worked as an intern in the equine department. He obtained advanced training in equine surgery through selective continuing education courses. He is certified in acupuncture through IVAS, and has also received advanced training in equine chiropractics. He has had a special interest in equine dentistry and oral surgery since 1984, when he first obtained specialized training in dentistry. In the last decade, he has pioneered techniques in local dental anesthesia that have revolutionized standing surgery and oral extractions - his publications on this subject were first published at the 2005 AAEP conference. He has also developed several radiographic techniques that have been instrumental in formulating proper diagnoses of oral disease in horses. He has been invited to lecture at many major equine dental conferences. Dr. Fletcher is also an associate editor for The Journal of Equine Dentistry. |
John Fortkamp |
John Fortkamp, CEqD, is originally from Ohio. He travels all over the United States, Hawaii, and Costa Rica working on English and western performance horses. He has also worked on horses in Australia, South Africa, and England. He has lectured about dentistry for various organizations, including the Student Chapter of the American Association of Equine Practioners at Colorado State University and the International Association of Equine Dentistry. John is currently serving as the Dean of students in addition to being a full-time lecturer and wet-lab instructor. During his years at the Academy, John has helped pioneer many techniques that have helped advance the field of equine dentistry. |
Nick Stuckman, CEqD, is from Bucyrus, Ohio. He graduated from Stautzenberger College, Toledo, Ohio, in 2006 and is a registered veterinary technician. Nick has been certified in equine dentistry since November 2003. He currently performs dentistry at veterinary clinics in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. Nick has also been a guest lecturer on equine dentistry at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine as well as Tiffin University. |
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Ben Koertje |
Ben Koertje, CEqD, is originally from Klamath Falls, Oregon. He started performing dentistry on race horses after apprenticing with his uncle on the racetrack. Throughout the 90's, Ben traveled all along the West Coast and Hawaii working primarily on cutting horses before settling in the Bay area. Throughout his career, Ben has helped train many of the top equine dentists in the world. He has been an instructor at the Academy for close to 15 years. |
Troy Walck |
Troy Walck, CEqD, grew up on a fifty thousand acre ranch in southwest Colorado. Horses have been an important part of his life since he started riding at age two. From the age of five Troy has roped and competed in rodeo. Rodeo scholarships facilitated his attendance at Central Arizona College for two years followed by two years at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colorado. Through his wife Raye Walck, DVM, he gained an interest in equine dentistry. Together they work on horses all over western Colorado and Arizona. |
Nick Moore |
Nick Moore DVM, was born on a cattle ranch in Montana and also lived in France for 10 years. Nick has been certified in equine dentistry at the Academy since 2002. In 2006, he graduated from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana, with a bachelor's degree in biology. Then, he obtained his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Colorado State University. Throughout his veterinary education, Nick worked with the CSU veterinary hospital on advanced equine dental cases and consulted with veterinary clinics in Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. He is currently doing an internship in equine medicine and surgery at Arizona Equine Medical and Surgical Center. He is also an associate editor for The Journal of Equine Dentistry. |
