Mona Kirker-Head
Romona (Mona) grew up on Ross Haven Farm where she spent many years breeding and raising Thoroughbred racehorses with her father Romaldo "Rom" Roscioli. As a child, she spent much of her free time riding the trails on the farm as well as the adjacent park land. For the last thirty years, Mona has had primary responsibility for running all farm operations.
Mona has a Bachelors of Science degree in Animal Sciences from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and for many years has served as a veterinary technician at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton, MA. She has worked there as a Senior Technician in the Hospital for Large Animals, and now works part-time on the surgical service within the Foster Hospital for Small Animals.
As owner and president of Ross Haven Farm, Mona undertakes many of the hands-on care needs of our patients, as well as running the business from the planning through to the practical implementation of routine care policies.
Mona has a Bachelors of Science degree in Animal Sciences from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and for many years has served as a veterinary technician at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton, MA. She has worked there as a Senior Technician in the Hospital for Large Animals, and now works part-time on the surgical service within the Foster Hospital for Small Animals.
As owner and president of Ross Haven Farm, Mona undertakes many of the hands-on care needs of our patients, as well as running the business from the planning through to the practical implementation of routine care policies.
Dr. Carl Kirker-Head
Carl grew up in the south of England, where he was an avid horse-rider. He competed in local and regional shows and jumping competitions, as well as in Pony Club and School competitions. Carl captained Modern Pentathlon at the University of Cambridge where he received his veterinary degree in 1983. He went on to complete a large animal internship at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, before moving to New England to complete a surgical residency at the Hospital for Large Animals at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton, MA.
Dr. Kirker-Head stayed on at Tufts where he continues his work today as a Professor of Surgery in the Department of Clinical Sciences; as Director of the Orthopedic Research Laboratory; and as the Marilyn M. Simpson Chair of Equine Medicine. Dr. Kirker-Head is a diplomate of both the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Surgeons. Carl's considerable veterinary experience and practical horsemanship skills serve him well in caring for Ross Haven Farm's client horses. His extensive contacts with local and regional veterinarians across New England, as well as nationally, help facilitate communications with your veterinarian and optimize the care we provide to your horse. Dr. Kirker-Head also has considerable experience designing practical and affordable rehabilitation protocols for horses, a subject he presents on at congresses nationally. Carl also holds a leadership position as the International Chair of AO VET, the veterinary division of the AO Foundation, the world's pre-eminent educator in fracture management for animals and humans.
Dr. Kirker-Head stayed on at Tufts where he continues his work today as a Professor of Surgery in the Department of Clinical Sciences; as Director of the Orthopedic Research Laboratory; and as the Marilyn M. Simpson Chair of Equine Medicine. Dr. Kirker-Head is a diplomate of both the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Surgeons. Carl's considerable veterinary experience and practical horsemanship skills serve him well in caring for Ross Haven Farm's client horses. His extensive contacts with local and regional veterinarians across New England, as well as nationally, help facilitate communications with your veterinarian and optimize the care we provide to your horse. Dr. Kirker-Head also has considerable experience designing practical and affordable rehabilitation protocols for horses, a subject he presents on at congresses nationally. Carl also holds a leadership position as the International Chair of AO VET, the veterinary division of the AO Foundation, the world's pre-eminent educator in fracture management for animals and humans.
Jared Buldoc - Barn Manager
Jared has been the farm manager at Ross Haven Farm for the past six years, overseeing and providing comprehensive facility maintenance, daily management of the barns, and feeding and turn-out operations. Jared also trucks horses to and from their home facilities or veterinary appointments. He was born and raised on a dairy farm in Massachusetts. His years of experience working with dairy cows prepared him well for the patience, attention, and demeanor necessary for working well with rehabilitating and boarding horses.
Emma Devlin - Equine Care Attendant
Emma has spent her life around horses since she was young. She began with taking hunt seat lessons at a local show barn and as she grew older she expanded to indoor polo, dressage, and a little bit of endurance riding. Emma has also spent time working for different trainers and has gained experience with upper level dressage and driving horses. She has an Arabian Saddlebred cross who she enjoys trail riding and hunter pacing with. She is an Animal Care technician at Ross Haven Farm and is a Small Animal Surgery Vet. Tech. at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Emma is currently attending Becker College and is pursuing her B.S. in Clinical and Laboratory Animal Medicine with a minor in Equine Studies, her anticipated graduation Spring 2020. Once Emma graduates she plans to become a Certified Veterinary Technician and continue her work with horses and small animals.
Jackie Smith - Equine Care Attendant
Jackie grew up and still resides just down the street from Ross Haven Farm. She first worked with Thoroughbreds, keeping them in shape to race then rehabilitating them after their racing careers for new lives as school horses. Jackie was an active member of her local United States Pony Club, serving as horse master, team captain, and junior member of the committee. She placed in the top twenty out of one hundred fifty riders in the 2'6" division at Pony Club Nationals Show Jump Rally at Virginia Park in 2015. These opportunities have helped Jackie better manage the many different types of horses that come her way at Ross Haven Farm. She is currently pursuing her Bachelors of Science in biochemistry at Clark University, with plans to go on to study veterinary medicine.