Hi, and welcome to the Shieldmaiden's Stock Farm page!
My name is Katie Kepes and I am the head puppy snuggler and horse manure scooper here.
I can't remember a time in my life that horses and dogs were not an integral part of my being. I grew up riding competitively on the hunter jumper A circuit, ending my junior career as the winner of the HBO / Marshall & Sterling 3'6" Junior Medal Final. During that time, I was incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to train under some of the best professionals in the country of our time. I rode my horses to numerous year end championships for Central Florida, won many circuit championships across the country in the junior equitation and hunter divisions, placing in the national rankings, and for the Horse of the Year. During this time I was introduced to my first Morgan horse. My show horses were just that. Show horses. And I appreciated them all. But my Morgan was the horse I could have fun on, and he did everything I asked with happy pricked ears and an eagerness for whatever adventure awaited.
As a young adult, I worked full time as a professional in the equine industry. I gained some incredible experience working under the guidance of several farms, where I was able to participate in the guidance of AQHA Youth Winners, IEA Champions, USEF Champions, and manage two different lesson programs, and youth equestrian summer camps. During my time as an instructor, I quickly learned that while I do enjoy teaching, and taking part of the showing and training of competitive horses and riders, it was the day to day care and training that I really loved. Eventually I started working for a veterinary center, where I fell madly in love with physical rehabilitation. I ended up going to school at the St Petersburg College, earning my AS in Veterinary Technology and graduating with honors. After graduation, I went on to earn my license as a CVT in Florida, and then continued to earn my certificate as a Certified Canine Rehab Veterinary Technician (CCRVT) through the Chi University. I currently manage a canine physical rehabilitation program at a veterinary center in Sarasota, FL.
It feels like the cumulation of all my past ventures has always been leading me to Canine Rehab. It's a field that seamlessly blends all the skills I have previously learned, and marries them together under one cohesive goal. Animal behavior, training, conditioning, healthcare, owner communication, lameness / performance / and gait evaluation, teaching others how to work with their animals... these are all skills that I have learned that are crucial to Canine Physical Rehabilitation. Being a Canine Rehabilitation Technician has given me some incredible insight and invaluable experience, working with cases ranging from injured police k9s, injured sport dogs, and of course helping manage degenerative / aging diseases of countless beloved family pets. I have spent many thousands of hours studying canine behavior, canine structure and anatomy, canine fitness and conditioning, diet, enrichment, and more. If there is one thing I know, there is always more to learn, and every opportunity and every animal I have the privilege to work with can provide valuable new experience and knowledge. It is lucky for me that my professional career supports my passion and hobbies. And with that knowledge I have been able to use everything I learn to better care for and make choices for my horses, dogs, and breeding program.
I am often asked why I chose MAS (Miniature American Shepherds / Miniature Australian Shepherds), and the truth is I have always gravitated towards Aussies and Minis from working lines. I admire their intelligence, their beauty, their athleticism and drive, their hardiness, and their loyalty to their people. I will continue to work towards the goal of promoting minis from a blend of working / sport / performance lines, who have a functional herding drive, and who are naturally athletic and versatile in sports, yet stable in temperament and enjoyable to be around. As you can imagine from my chosen professional life in veterinary medicine, health testing is incredibly important to me. Regardless of whether you are talking about horses or dogs, I want them beautiful, versatile, fun and athletic... yes. But they also have to be healthy and relatively low maintenance when it comes to general health and care. This means they need functional conformation and sound minds to make ideal partners for all your sporting/working/adventuring needs. So if you want an easy to live with, incredibly beautiful, versatile in a variety of competitive sports, and a willing adventure partner (dog or horse), then you have come to the right place!
We are a proudly registered Kennel with the American Stock Dog Registry, I am a current member of the MASCUSA breed club with AKC, I am on the MASCUSA Stud Book Research Committee, and I am a member of the local Sarasota Obedience Training Club, which offers a wide range of classes and events for multiple sports.
Please see our links page for more information on all of these groups.
As a young adult, prior to my career with animals, I attended the Ringling College of Art and Design, where I earned my BFA. Ringling is a fantastic college and I learned many valuable skills and life lessons during my time there. I still greatly enjoy offering freelance Graphic Design services, and to date I have worked with a wide variety of different companies, from the Florida Women's Lawyers Group, to equine product promotional materials, kennel logos, business designs, stud ads, and more.
I thank you for letting me share my dogs and horses with you and I welcome any questions you may have. Things are always evolving, and I strive to always continue learning and expanding my knowledge and skill set. So feel free to visit our Contact page and find us on various social media platforms to see the latest news and happenings.
