FEATURE by Kathryn Selinga
Photo © Jilluann Martin Valliere
The Real Deal
I
DR. LIZ MALONEY IS READY FOR HER CLOSE UP
t’s a story familiar to many – a horse crazy young girl with a fierce tenacity about her, spends her childhood dreaming of one day becoming a veterinarian. Dr. Liz Maloney was one of those young girls. She graduated from Tufts University’s vet school in 1992, but that is where the familiarity of the story ends. After graduating, Liz acquired unrivaled experience, becoming one of two female veterinarians out of 24 at a racetrack – further developing her skills, confidence, and rapport with owners. Fast forward to 2016, and that tenacious young girl has become one of the most widely known equine sports medicine specialists in New England. With an energetic personality as big as her heart, and equipped with an arsenal of veterinary tools, it is no surprise that Liz has a three-month waiting list to see her, drawing clients that include members of the Boston Red Sox, as well as the Massachusetts State Police.
What sets Liz apart is her uncanny dedication to both riding and her profession – traveling to Wellington each weekend during the Winter Equestrian Festival and competing side by side with her clients – all while seeing patients between classes. “[Being a competitor], it certainly gives me an appreciation for this sport, how much investment it takes to do it well; and I think it gives me a lot of credence with my clients,” she says. Beyond her perpetually positive attitude and openness with clients, Liz’s vast veterinary skills further enhance her allure. Chiropractic care and acupuncture play a large part in her practice, as does her distinctive ability to get on her clients’ horses to feel what they feel. “Issues can look very different on the ground versus when you’re riding,” Liz says. “I was lucky to ride with Leslie Howard, and one of the great things I learned from her was how to listen to the horse’s body.”
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