Our Staff

David Turoff, DVM

Dr. David Turoff, a well-known and highly respected local veterinarian, established Foothill Mobile Veterinary Service in El Dorado County in 1983, immediately following graduation from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Turoff’s concern for the evacuation of animals during a disaster has led to the formation of S.C.L.A.R. He travels several times a year to Central and South America to offer volunteer services to impoverished remote communities as part of the Equitarian Initiative organization.

Ariel Menninger, DVM

Ariel has been in continuous large animal veterinary practice since 1992 and with Foothill Mobile Veterinary Service since 1999. She loves all aspects of the rural practice, from the humblest goat to the fanciest horse. As Ariel puts it, “from the desperate to the sublime.” She received her Bachelor’s degree in English from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, and her DVM from UC Davis.

Ariel has been on a horse since she received her first pony on her 12^th birthday in Topeka, Kansas. She now owns and rides her off-track Thoroughbred, Luis.

Ariel lives with her husband and pandemic refugee adult daughter in Auburn. You can see her working all around El Dorado County with her two dogs in tow.

Donna Godwin, Office Manager

Donna began working as a Veterinary Assistant for Dr. Turoff in 2003 after retiring from a career as a flight attendant. She later transitioned to the position of Office Manager in 2008. Donna enjoyed many years as a cutting horse enthusiast, raising llamas and grass-fed beef. Donna’s current interests are gardening, fine art painting, and playing music in a local band.

Nichola Taylor, Veterinary Assistant

Nic was born and raised in Surrey, England, showing and competing horses. She worked as the Travelling Head Lass at racing stables before moving to San Francisco in 1989. (And if you know what a Travelling Head Lass is, you know Nic is one tough horsewoman.) After arriving in San Francisco, Nic was the on-site manager at Golden Gate Park Stables for 11 years. In 2001, she and her family moved to the foothills bringing 13 horses from the stables with her to let them retire on her property. The horses ranged in age from 20 to 45 years old. As you can imagine, the horses needed lots of dental work and continued health maintenance, so she called on Foothill Mobile. Noticing her incredible skills and knowledge with horses, Foothill asked her to come work with them as a Veterinary Assistant in 2007.

Sue Bartholomaus, Veterinary Assistant

Sue has been a Veterinary Assistant with Foothill Mobile Veterinary Service for twelve years. She has been a professional horse trainer and riding instructor for over 50 years. Sue is originally from New York and Virginia. She graduated from Cornell University, where she studied pre-veterinary science, and has an extensive breeding industry background with European Warmblood horses. She has taught horse science at various colleges. Sue grew up riding and showing horses at college, continuing as a lifetime vocation.