Friendship Veterinary Imaging Center

10/21/2026

Happy Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week! We are so grateful to our veterinary technicians for their expert care of all animals big and small. Thank you to all our support staff who keep our clinic running smoothly. From patient care to answering phones to holding horses, we couldn’t do what we do without each and every one of them!

10/01/2026

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Kathleen Byrnes to Friendship Veterinary Imaging Center!

Dr. Kathleen Byrnes is a 2010 graduate of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Byrnes is particularly interested in diagnostic imaging and has extensive experience and training in ultrasonography. She is in pursuit of a radiology residency at NC State and has joined Friendship as a veterinarian overseeing small animal anesthesia while taking the opportunity to learn as much as she can about veterinary diagnostic imaging.

Dr. Byrnes lives in Boone, NC with her husband and 5 dogs. In her free time Dr. Byrnes enjoys gardening, cooking, and traveling. She is the founder and president of the non-profit organization High Country Paws, Inc. High Country Paws’ mission is to aid and temporarily offer foster care to the pets of domestic violence survivors while the survivors transition into a new and stable home before reuniting with their pets. The non-profit was founded in 2023 and has assisted numerous survivors and their pets throughout North Carolina. If you have any interest in becoming a temporary foster for these survivors and pets please visit
www.highcountrypaws.org for more information.

Friendship Veterinary Imaging Center is proud to welcome Dr. Byrnes to our team!

09/25/2026

🌟 Employee Spotlight: Scarlett Robinson 🌟

With more than 34 years of experience as a Registered Veterinary Technician, Scarlett brings exceptional expertise in small animal and equine diagnostic imaging to our team.

Scarlett previously oversaw the imaging department at NC State University, where she gained extensive experience in both clinical and research settings. Her background spans CT, nuclear scintigraphy, radiology, fluoroscopy, MRI, and radiation therapy.

She is passionate about sharing her knowledge, coordinating teams, and using advanced imaging to help deliver excellent patient care. We’re proud to have Scarlett on our team!

09/23/2026

09/16/2026

Time for another interesting bone scan case!

This is the case of an upper level jumper who is sound but has shown decreased
willingness to work. In these nuclear scintigraphy (bone scan) images, there is increased uptake of the thoracic vertebrae which is evidence of bone formation and increased bone activity. This is most likely due to a condition called spondylosis.

Spondylosis is the formation of bone between adjacent vertebral bodies resulting in decreased spinal mobility. Unlike arthritis, spondylosis does not technically involve a joint. Spondylosis is not commonly diagnosed during routine imaging though has been discovered post mortem to affect up to 36% of horses (Secondi, et al. Vet Med Sci, 2025). Though the cause for spondylosis in horses is not well understood it is presumed to be secondary to torsional forces and ‘wear and tear’ on the spine. Clinical signs of spondylosis can vary from none to back pain, bucking, or discomfort during tacking up.

The prognosis for horses with spondylosis can be difficult to predict as the severity of the lesions on imaging does not always correlate with clinical discomfort. Serial imaging with either radiography or nuclear scintigraphy can help monitor progression or confirm stasis.

09/02/2026

They did it! Congratulations Dr. Patterson and Iron Colony on a successful weekend in Kentucky 🎉🎉

08/26/2026

Wishing our very own, Dr. Patterson and her horse Iron Colony the very best of luck as they head to Kentucky to compete at the AECs.

We are so proud to cheer you both on and can’t wait to see all your hard work pay off.

Good luck Dr. Patterson, we will be cheering you on every step of the way!

08/20/2026

We’re excited to support our local equestrian community and wish all of the horses, riders, teams, and organizers a fun, successful, and safe event. Best of luck to everyone competing, and most importantly—have a great ride! 💚

08/17/2026

Registration is still open for the Equine Sports Medicine Symposium! 🐴

Can’t join us in person? No problem — virtual registration is also available, so you can attend from wherever you are.

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn, connect, and be part of this year’s symposium. We hope you’ll join us — in person or online!

https://equinesportsmedicinesymposium.com

08/14/2026

Just one week away from the 2026 Equine Sports Medicine symposium and we would like to introduce another highly anticipated speaker.

Tony Sandoval, MS, Exercise Science, Certified Strength and Conditioning

Coach Tony Sandoval is a strength and conditioning coach with more than 15 years of experience helping equestrian athletes improve their health, resilience, and riding performance. He holds a graduate degree in Exercise Science and is the creator of the EqueStrength Development Program, a training system built specifically for riders who want to perform at a higher level in and out of the saddle.

Coach Sandoval specializes in working with equestrians across all levels of the sport, using a performance-based approach to help riders build strength, move better, and stay healthier for the long term. His work focuses on improving rider fitness, addressing common injuries and pain patterns, and helping athletes create a stronger, more effective partnership with their horse.

He is also known for using advanced technology to lead rider athletic performance assessment clinics, giving equestrians clear, data-driven insight into how their bodies affect their riding. In addition, Tony developed the Return to Ride Program, which helps injured riders safely and confidently get back in the saddle.