Dr. Pflughoeft is originally from rural Wisconsin, and grew up riding in 4-H and on trails.  Her family always had a menagerie of animals, and she always wanted to be a veterinarian since she was little.

​Dr. Valerie attended the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh where she received a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Spanish language in 2012, and she went on to complete her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wisconsin Madison in 2017.  After graduating veterinary school, she completed a one year ambulatory internship specializing in equine medicine at Great Lakes Equine Wellness Center in Hortonville, WI.  Dr. Valerie joined Tacoma Equine's team in December 2019. In March 2023, Dr. Valerie achieved certification from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in veterinary acupuncture.

In her free time, Dr. Valerie enjoys spending time with her husband Dan and their herd of critters, cooking, and endurance riding on her horses Twix, Mickey, and Rus.  She is also a member of the Equitarian Initiative, and travels to under-served populations where veterinary care is unavailable for working equids.