Our Veterinarians

Dana Marsh, DVM, CVA

Dana Marsh, DVM, CVA was born and raised in Lincoln Park, just minutes away from downtown Chicago.  She graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in May, 2006 with high honors. Upon graduation, she pursued a one year Internship at Chicago Equine and joined the practice as an Associate in 2007.  She became an owner in 2013.  Dr. Marsh completed the equine acupuncture course at the Chi Institute in 2009. Since becoming certified in veterinary acupuncture, she has integrated acupuncture and TCVM along with traditional western medicine into her equine practice.  Dr. Marsh is currently participating in the educational modules for the International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology  (ISELP) to continue to expand her knowledge and skills in diagnostic ultrasound, radiography, and musculoskeletal disorders/conditions.

Dr. Marsh aspired to be a veterinarian at a young age, assisting in her mothers cattery with the kittens and helping  care for the family horses.  She is passionate about veterinary medicine and relishes being able to assist her patients in achieving their maximum potential,  in the show ring, on the trail,  or simply living out their lives in optimal health and comfort.  Her areas of special interest include sports medicine/rehabilitative therapy, alternative medicine and internal medicine.

In her free time, Dr. Marsh enjoys riding her horse, reading, gardening, and bike riding on one of the many trails by her home with her family.  She and Jake share their home with her young stepdaughter, two Russian Blue cats, a peg-legged cat named Chloe and an Australian Shepard (who happens to favor brick cheese as a mid-day snack).

Chris Downs, DVM, Diplomate ACVS

Chris Downs earned his DVM at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia in 2003. In 2004 he completed an Equine Surgical Internship at Hagyard-Davidson-McGee in Lexington, Ky. Dr. Downs joined Chicago Equine in 2005 as an associate where he gained experience in Sports Medicine before returning to University to become a surgeon.

Dr. Downs completed a 3 year Equine Surgery Residency at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University in July of 2009. He became board certified with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) in 2010. He has spoken at conferences on topics such as current wound therapies, suspensory ligament lameness and the repair of rib fractures in neonatal foals and published scientific articles on the topics of surgical transfixation, casting in the horse and surgical repair of rib fractures in neonatal foals.
He has a dual interest in equine sports medicine and all types of surgical conditions in the horse including emergency and elective surgery. 

In his spare time Dr. Downs enjoys spending time with his family and young sons.

Coralie Morauw, DVM

Coralie Morauw, DVM was born in France and moved to Illinois as a child. She attended University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and earned her DVM in May 2016. Dr. Morauw gained experience at Chicago Equine through her yearlong internship and joined the practice as an associate in 2017. Her clinical interests include sports medicine and lameness, advanced imaging, and rehabilitation therapies. Dr. Morauw received her certification in Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy (VSMT) from The Healing Oasis Wellness Center and utilizes this treatment in conjunction with traditional medicine. She finds value in taking the team approach with everyone involved in a horse’s care in order to help the horse reach their full potential. Dr. Morauw enjoys working with every type of horse – from show ring to pasture pet – and has a soft spot for ponies. In the future, she is interested in continuing her work as an FEI veterinarian and would like to attend additional educational modules for International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology (ISELP).

Dr. Morauw grew up in an equine-centric family, riding horses, helping at her family’s barn, and competing in 3-Day Eventing. She continues to ride and assist with grooming at 3-Day Events. Away from horses, Dr. Morauw likes to spend time with her husband, travel abroad, and participate in obstacle races and half marathons.

Cassandra Cohagan, DVM

Cassandra Cohagan, DVM was raised in Wauconda and spent time during summers and breaks on her family farm in west central Illinois and in northern California horseback riding, hunting, and fishing with her family.

Dr. Cohagan graduated with an animal science degree from the University of Missouri in 2018. While at Mizzou she was involved in many equine courses and activities as a student, teaching assistant, and for community outreach events. After undergrad, she moved to the Caribbean Island of St. Kitts to attend Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, for her first three years of veterinary school and graduated in 2022 with the highest honors. She attended Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine for her final clinical year of veterinary school, tracking equine. She enjoys farm calls and working to achieve the best outcome for her patients and their specific needs.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and her cat Jinx!

Lauren May, DVM

Dr. May grew up on a farm surrounded by horses as her family bred, raised, and trained Tennessee Walking Horses for bird dog hunting. Growing up with a veterinarian mother, Dr. May has always aspired to be a veterinarian so she is thrilled to now be practicing at Chicago Equine!

For her training, she attended Drake University in Des Moines where she received her undergraduate degree in biology and Spanish in 2020. Dr. May then attended the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine where she was an equine tracking student – ultimately receiving her DVM in 2024. Her special interests in equine medicine include sports medicine and lameness, rehabilitation, and reproductive work. However, she truly loves all things horses.

Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. May enjoys spending time with her fiancé and their pets (two crazy dogs and a cat), playing pickleball, and exploring the area one restaurant at a time!