Animal Behavior Expert Witnesses

Bridget Brandon of ValueMyHorse Equine Appraisals specializes in educating attorneys in case specific horse terminology, developing valuation appraisals, testifying in court, finding critical evidence, analyzing crucial facts, and creating relevant witness questions. She provides the legal community with a wide range of analysis, education and support for equine-related proceedings throughout the United States. ValueMyHorse services clients from any locality and any state needing expertise in the area of Sporthorses, Performance Horses, pleasure horses and breeding. Bridget has testimony experience and is qualified as an expert. USPAP certified, 

ValueMyHorse understands the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) compliance issues. They also know what it takes to comply with the IRS Federal Code of Regulations with respect to being “qualified” appraisers developing a “qualified” appraisal in accordance with AQB (Appraisal Qualifications Board). Whether to support business valuation and profit motive claims for dissolution of marriage, charitable donations of horses, estate valuation, partnership disputes, or IRS related issues. ValueMyHorse is available with regard to IRS Hobby Loss Issues, the Relevant Market, Type of Horse, Horse Show Issues, Breeding Issues, Boarding, Care, Custody and Control, Highest and Best Use, and Fungibility.

Selected Case Examples:

• Appraised investment horse for syndication group law suit (plaintiff)
• Appraised show jumper in lawsuit concerning misrepresentation of age (plaintiff)
• Consulted on malpractice law suit concerning value of deceased dressage / breeding stallion - loss of income from stud fees and sale of offspring (defendant)
• Appraised imported Grand Prix prospect in a trailer accident and eventually euthanized due to injuries (defendant)
• Appraised dressage horse injured in care of veterinarian (defendant)
• Appraised jumper injured in a trailer accident (defendant)
• Appraised a deceased western pleasure show horse who was electrified (defendant)
• Appraised reining horse for bank regarding defaulted loan (plaintiff)
• Appraised jumper who died of injuries obtained while in her stall (defendant)

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Tracy Dopko, BA, DipEqS, CPPA, is a Senior Equine, Livestock & Agricultural Appraiser with over 20 years of experience travelling all over the United States and Canada conducting appraisals. She has appraised some of the top jumper and dressage horses in Europe, and has also appraised some of the most well-known Holstein, Angus & Jersey cattle in North America.  In 2013, Ms. Dopko completed an Equine Studies Diploma with distinction at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, as well as completing an Equine Science Certificate with distinction, Equine Business Management Certificate with distinction and Equine Welfare Certificate with distinction. In 2017, she graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with distinction focusing on Criminal Justice and Public Policy and is also a full-time instructor with the University of Guelph for their Equine Studies Diploma and Equine Business Management programs. Ms. Dopko is currently completing her Master's Degree in Criminal Justice.

Litigation Support - Ms. Dopko has been retained globally as an appraiser and consultant on many court cases from boarding disputes to negligent homicide (click on CV/Links - Expert Witness Services to view cases). She is qualified as an "Expert" in Court proceedings in both Canada and the United States. Ms. Dopko has worked closely with several of the major insurance companies in the U.S. and Canada, and completed appraisals for multimillion-dollar estate, insurance settlements, and tax audits.

Ms. Dopko is a licensed Equine Private Investigator and Fraud Examiner, practicing under the Security Services and Investigator's Act. She complies with all Federal, Provincial/State, and Municipal laws during criminal and civil investigations, fraud investigations, and insurance fraud.

Daventry Equine appraisals are considered "Certified" for legal purposes in Canada and internationally and are known for their thoroughness and attention to detail. She has over 5,000 hours of appraisal experience, and to date, has helped her clients win over $2,000,000 in dispute cases and settlements. Combined with her background and credentials in the horse industry, Daventry appraisals and expertise provides a valuable asset in the courtroom.

Areas of Expertise:

Equine & Livestock Behavior Boarding Disputes Safety Procedures  Industry Rules and Regulation  Stable Management for Show, Rental, Lesson, and Boarding Stables  Accident Analysis and Reconstruction  Degrees of Negligence / Prevention

Appropriateness of Specific Horses and Equipment All Levels of Riding, Training, Instruction  Buying and Selling Standards Accident Prevention  Breeding Management Horse Show Safety and Procedures Animal Welfare and Abuse

View Tracy Dopko's Consulting Profile.

Rod Bergen has an extensive education and background in Horse Behavior and Horsemanship. Mr. Bergen is nationally certified as an Advanced (Level III) Horseback Riding Instructor by the American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA) in Dressage, Recreational Riding and Mounted Patrol. He has owned and managed horse training, breeding and boarding facilities for over 30 years. He is a Certified Equine Appraiser and member of the American Association of Equine Appraisers.

Mr. Bergen is qualified to testify as an Equine Forensic Consultant in the California Superior Courts. He has served as a Horse Expert in over 40 legal cases (including 5 deaths) involving horses and horse facilities. Mr. Bergen is listed with the L.A. County Bar Association as an Equine Forensic Consultant / Expert Horse Witness.

Specialties:

• Personal Injury & Property Damage
• Equine Accident Reconstruction
• Horse Facility Evaluations
• Riding Equipment Suitability
• Horsemanship Safety Standard of Care
• Equine Problems & Personal Liability Issues During Competitions
• Trail Riding
• Parades

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Donald E. Sanders, DVM, is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenology, the branch of veterinary medicine concerned with reproduction, including the physiology and pathology of male and female reproductive systems of animals and the clinical practice of veterinary obstetrics, gynecology, and andrology.

A practicing veterinarian since 1968, Dr. Sanders has consulted on the reproduction of cattle, horses, swine, sheep, and small animals in Ohio and throughout the continental United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Russia, South Korea, China, and Japan. He was named by Bovine Practitioner Journal as one of the Top 20 Bovine Veterinarians in North America in 2013 and has authored numerous books on cattle and swine reproduction. From 2006-2013, Dr. Sanders served as an Associate Clinical Professor for the Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine at Ohio State University, Marysville, Ohio.

Litigation Support - Dr. Sanders has been providing expert witness services to the legal industry for over 25 years. His services are available to counsel representing Plaintiff and Defense. Dr. Sanders has testified at depositions and court and reviewed and/or wrote reports in preparation for court. His cases involve Food Animal Agriculture / Agribusiness Investigations including:

Veterinary Surgery Animal Reproduction / Breeding Animal Science / Genomics Animal Testing Stray Voltage Animal Nutrition / Disease / Welfare

Toxicology Antibiotic Contamination - Feed, Milk, Meat Water Quality Animal Housing Small Animal Medicine Food Animal Management

View Dr. Sanders' Consulting Profile.