Growing up on a small, family-owned and operated dairy goat farm in Watkinsville, Georgia, Dr. Zoe Latimer first learned she had an affinity for raising and taking care of animals. She says she can remember following her mother around, helping with daily chores, and learning about the hard work and dedication it takes tend animals.
That same dedication and drive are what finally convinced her mother to let Dr. Zoe begin riding, and where she learned her love for dressage. “My mom was tired of hearing me beg for riding lessons, so she broke down and let me start taking lessons from a neighbor when I was probably four or five,” she says. “I started out in a western saddle, learning the basics such as balance and collection, but quickly discovered that dressage was my true passion”.
Dr. Zoe credits the Oconee County 4-H and FFA for jump-starting her drive and ambition to become a veterinarian one day. She joined both organizations at a young age, participating up until college, and making lifelong friends along the way. Her FFA advisor, Mr. Walker, is the reason she set her sights on vet school.
“Even before I knew it, he knew I was made to be a veterinarian,” Dr. Zoe says. “He pushed me to always be improving myself to be better than I was the day before and to ‘never settle’. Those two, small words – ‘Never Settle’ – were what led me to where I am now”.
After graduating Oconee County High School, Dr. Zoe headed to the University of Georgia where she earned two bachelor’s degrees in Animal Science and Dairy Science; she ultimately graduated from UGA’s College of Veterinary Medicine as a “Double Dawg”. During her time in vet school, Dr. Zoe was awarded the Excellence in Large Animal Medicine and Surgery award during her clinical year.
Dr. Zoe Latimer, DVM, CVA, has successfully bridged traditional equine veterinary medicine with alternative treatments, becoming a certified equine acupuncturist. Her holistic approach to horse health combines the best of both worlds, offering comprehensive care with a focus on acupuncture's therapeutic benefits.
Since beginning her journey with Countryside, Dr. Zoe has been so impressed with the way each customer is treated just like family. She states, “they go above and beyond to make sure every customer is taken care of and will go out of their way to exceed customer needs”.
Dr. Zoe wants all future customers to know she intends to carry on this level of care and is excited to continue building relationships with each customer she encounters.
On Saturdays during college football season, Dr. Zoe can be found “between the hedges” cheering on her Dawgs at Sanford Stadium.
She also enjoys spending time on the lake and getting to relax in the sun.
Get to know Countryside’s veterinarians. Click on any face to learn more about them.
