Although the operating table and equipment were sterile, the atmosphere was warm and encouraging as one Ohio State doctor guided a first-year surgery student through an operation to correct a horse’s crooked knee.Dr. Alicia Bertone, a professor of veterinary clinical science and bioscience, said the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine operates on about 100 colts born with crooked legs each year. The operation prevents further leg problems or surgeries.Bertone is one of only a handful of female equine surgeons who focus on orthopedics in the nation. She said instant gratification is one of the greatest aspects of her job.”As a surgeon I am basically able to fix things,” Bertone said.A horse can come in barely able to walk and leave with full use of its leg, she said.The whinnies of horses can sometimes be heard outside Bertone’s office, which overlooks OSU’s clinic for large animals. Degrees decorate the one wall not blocked with research-jammed filing cabinets and bookshelves full of information on an array of horse ailments. Working as a professor at OSU and specializing in orthopedics – the busiest area in the equine center – doesn’t leave Bertone with much spare time.Bertone said in the past decade she has seen joint and arthritis research increase at OSU.Pharmaceutical companies often use horses as models for bone and joint problems. Similar to humans, horses are athletes and often develop arthritis and joint problems. Their large joints are easy to work with and OSU has the technology to measure therapy results, Bertone said.Kris Blackstrom, a research technician who works closely with Bertone, described her colleague as motivated and excited about her work.”You can see a glow in her,” Blackstrom said. “Many people could get burnt out, but Dr. Bertone is always interested in finding out more about research.” OSU just finished testing a new aspirin replacement that will relieve pain and inflammation in both humans and animals without causing gastric ulcers.”It is very exciting to be involved with research that will alleviate pain in humans and animals. It is fun to be part of that,” Bertone said.Although being on the forefront of new knowledge is part of Bertone’s daily life, she said she did not always know that she would become a surgeon.Bertone’s office walls could just as easily been filled with posters of Swan Lake and memories of past dance recitals.Bertone grew up in rural upstate New York on Glenn Wild Farm, where she developed a love for animals and was introduced to another influence in her life: ballet. Bertone started taking ballet lessons in the first grade. At age 13, she moved to New York City to live with her older sister and study at The Juilliard School.At 16, Bertone had to decide whether she would join the New York City Ballet. Not yet finished growing and already 5 feet 6 inches and 95 pounds, she was afraid that she could literally outgrow her career.”I did not want to be held back because of height or any physical characteristic,” she said. Bertone decided to attend Cornell University. But she did not go alone; her horse came, too.”I worked in a stable in exchange for board,” Bertone said.After earning a bachelor’s degree in science, Bertone was ready to apply to graduate school at Cornell in industrial labor relations. She had started shadowing a veterinarian when the thought occurred to her:”I am going to have to make a lot of money or get a job with horses if I always want to be around them.”Bertone immediately decided to transfer her graduate program.”At Cornell students were only permitted to apply to one graduate school,” she said. “On the day applications were due I called and asked if my application could be transferred to the vet school. I picked up my application and hand-delivered it that day.”One of Bertone’s greatest satisfactions is watching a “green individual” – a new vet student – become a professional.”In our field this takes about three to five years. At the end they have great ideas and the ability to accomplish them,” she said.Emily Simmons, a doctorate student, said Bertone has helped her learn to think creatively and independently.Bertone said people become more efficient and organized as they advance in their careers.Traveling, spending time with family and sports are a good release from the long hours that Bertone dedicates to her work, she said. Bertone, who has a 1-year-old son, said her research projects did not slow down during her pregnancy.”I was able to work part-time for five months instead of taking three months off,” she said.Just before the birth of Bertone’s son, students came to her home to discuss their research projects with her. Beside Bertone’s computer in her office is a framed picture of her husband, William Muir, with their son Sean.Bertone described “any day that I can come home not frustrated” as a perfect day.