Northfield, OH — Dr. Dan Wilson was once quoted as saying, “Growing up, I couldn’t get enough of horses. It’s a great satisfaction to be able to improve their life, make them feel better and make them healthier. I’m a racetrack practitioner, and the rewarding part to me is to actually see what you’ve done and accomplished. It’s just wonderful to see them go out and do what they’re supposed to do.”

Dr Wilson’s nearly 50-year career of helping race horses do what they are supposed to do came to an end earlier this spring upon his retirement. He leaves his practice into the hands of his long-time partner Dr. Michael Latessa, who along with Dr. Elaine Gills and Dr. Katie Baltzell plan on continuing to offer top-notch care to horses at Northfield Park and nearby Sahbra Farms.

Dr. Wilson, raised on a farm in Sabina, Ohio, graduated from the Ohio State University school of Veterinary Medicine in 1975. He then joined Randall Veterinary Clinic near Cleveland and began practicing on the backstretch at Northfield Park.

Dr. Wilson began Lake Equine Associates in 1986, providing his services mainly to the Standardbred industry in Northeast Ohio. In 2002 he was awarded the Ohio Veterinarian Medical Association Distinguished Service Award. In 2006 he partnered up with Dr. Ron Genovese and Dr. Brett Berthold to form Cleveland Equine Clinic. 2015 saw Dr. Wilson and Dr. Latessa strike out on their own, with the revival of Lake Equine Associates, to focus solely on Northfield Park.

Over the years Dr. Wilson has been consulted and his knowledge relied upon from the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association and the Ohio State Racing Commission on numerous subjects from Strangles and Equine Herpes Virus outbreaks to the uses of therapeutic medications. His presence in the harness racing industry will be missed.

Dr. Wilson, an avid hunter and fisherman, plans on many days of doing such ahead of him along with enjoying time with his wife, Barb, sons Daniel (Kira) and Doug (Jackie), plus three grandchildren.