An innovative veterinary facility where horses and their owners are always the center of attention
Besides the care for your horse, we highly value a correct and transparent communication with our clients and referring veterinarians.
The best choice of treatment
Our team consists of a specialist equine surgeon (Diplomate ECVS), a specialist in internal medicine (Diplomate ECEIM) and several experienced equine veterinarians. While we offer specialist knowledge and advanced practical skills together with up-to-date scientific insights we do not underestimate the importance of a good clinical examination and excellent communication to provide you with our honest opinion on the best choice of treatment for your horse.
For this purpose, we have designed a modern and well-equipped facility to provide the best possible care for your beloved horse.
Easily accessible
The clinic is easily accessible, right at the exit Acy-Romance of the highway A34 between Reims and Charleville-Mezières. This location is favorable both for emergencies in need of urgent care as well as for our ambulatory practice.
In the nearby city of Rethel there are multiple hotels and restaurants available, in case you would like to stay close to your hospitalized horse.
Our team
All of the members of our team have a specific and compatible profile. We are all passionate about equine veterinary medicine and the equestrian world. Our team consists of an equine surgeon (Diplomate ECVS), a specialist in internal medicine (Diplomate ECEIM), and several experienced equine veterinarians.
All members of our team, whether it are veterinarians, assistants, students, secretaries, grooms or stables boys, are part of the equestrian world and make an effort to understand and attend to your worries and needs.
Thomas van Bergen
DVM, PhD, Diplomate ECVS
European Specialist in Equine Surgery
Co-founder and owner
Surgery/Orthopedics/Hospitalization
Thomas van Bergen graduated from Ghent University (Belgium) in 2005. After graduation he immediately joined Jean Luc Fraipont at his large animal practice in Chéméry-sur-Bar, where he worked for 4 years. In 2009, in search of a more equine orientated position, he moved to Switzerland where he worked for 2 years with the renowned equine orthopedist Dr. H.G. Stihl. In 2012 Thomas returned to Ghent University to complete a European residency program in equine surgery under the supervision of Prof. Martens. In 2016 he passed the European board certifying exam and became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (Diplomate ECVS). His research in the field of equine laparoscopy resulted in several scientific publications in international journals and in 2018 Thomas obtained a PhD in veterinary medicine. In the spring of 2019, after 7 years at Ghent University, Thomas decided to found a new private equine clinic in the north of France together with Jean Luc Fraipont.
Barbara Broux
DVM, PhD, Diplomate ECEIM
European Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine
Owner
Internal Medicine
Barbara Broux graduated from Ghent University in 2010. After her studies she immediately started a one-year internship (orientation internal medicine) at the equine clinic of the same university, which was followed by an European residency in Equine Internal Medicine under supervision of Prof. Gunther van Loon. While at Ghent University, under the impulse of Prof van Loon, Barbara performed research in equine cardiology, which resulted in numerous publications in international journals and a PhD title in 2017. In 2019 Barbara passed the European board certifying exam and became a Diplomate of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine (Diplomate ECEIM). After 9 years at Ghent University Barbara decided to join the team of the Equine Clinic Acy-Romance in the spring of 2019.
In January 2022 Barbara became partner of the clinic and since then she has been part of the clinic’s management team.
Jean Luc Fraipont
DVM
Co-founder and owner
Ambulatory practice/Orthopedics/Pre-purchase examinations
Jean Luc Fraipont graduated from the university of Liège (Belgium) in 1985. Over several years, he built a large equine clientele in the region of Champagne Ardennes. In 2019, he decided to found Equine Clinic Acy-Romance together with Thomas van Bergen. Jean Luc is responsible for the ambulatory practice and with his fully equipped car he is the attending veterinarian at numerous equine facilities.
Etienne O’brien
DV, PhD, Diplomate ACVS
American Specialist in Equine Surgery
Etienne is a specialist equine surgeon (Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons). Since graduation (Edinburgh 1999) Etienne’s career has combined equine clinical practice and research in the UK, Ireland, Canada and France including 5 years at Troytown, the second largest equine hospital in Ireland. He enjoys all aspects of equine surgery but is particularly interested in the investigation and treatment of orthopaedic problems.
Etienne is delighted to join the team at Acy-Romance. Working in France has been a long-held personal ambition!
Anneleen Michielsen
DVM, Resident ECVAA
Anesthesia/hospital clinician
Anneleen Michielsen graduated from Ghent University (Belgium) in 2015. After her studies she immediately started a one-year internship (orientation surgery/medical imaging) at Ghent University. After this internship she started an European residency program in veterinary anaesthesia (European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia ECVAA) under the supervision of Dr. Stijn Schauvliege and Prof. Frank Gasthuys. Anneleen joined the Equine Clinic Acy-Romance in 2020 and is responsible for all anaesthetic procedures. Anneleen is a passionate horse rider with an international reputation in dressage.
Emmanuelle Swales
DVM
Ambulatory practice/Reproduction/Dentistry
Emmanuelle Swales graduated from the University of Liège (Belgium) in 2012. After her studies she immediately started a one-year internship (orientation surgery/medical imaging) at the equine clinic of Ghent University.
In 2013 Emmanuelle joined Jean Luc Fraipont in his equine clinic and together they developed a large equine clientele in the region of Champagne Ardennes. Emmanuelle joined the Equine Clinic Acy-Romance in 2019 where she is mainly involved in the ambulatory practice and reproduction.
Jérôme Lodrini
DVM
Clémence Delmez
DVM
Lise Knoden
DVM
Margaux Peleton
DVM
Laurence Lebegue
Accounting Manager
Direct telephone number for accountancy: 00 33 (3) 52 89 00 02
Leslie Brochot
Head of secretariat
Amélie Pierquin
Secretariat
Océane Maissin
Secretariat/groom
Sandra Deblainville
Surgical theatre nurse/Sterilisation
Ines Lefeve
Surgical theatre assistant/sterilisation
