DR. DEREK CAVATORTA
Dr. Derek Cavatorta grew up in Rowley, MA, and attended Triton Regional High School. He began working in the local veterinary community as a teenager and was inspired to study Animal Science at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He developed an interest in research during a summer internship studying North Atlantic Right Whale fishing gear entanglement at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute on Cape Cod. Dr. Derek was admitted to the dual DVM/PhD degree program at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. During this 8-year graduate program, Dr. Derek simultaneously completed veterinary school and earned a PhD in equine immunology. His dissertation research contributed to the understanding of how horses respond to vaccination. He is interested in all aspects of large animal medicine, and he is particularly passionate about preventive medicine, vaccinology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology, nutrition, and evidence-based medicine.
Dr. Derek is on the board of directors for NEER-North and greatly enjoys providing medical assistance for horses in need. Dr. Derek founded Black Brook Veterinary Services to provide quality, dependable, comprehensive veterinary care for horses and other large animals in northeastern Massachusetts and southeastern New Hampshire.
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Dr. Derek lives in Hamilton with his wife, Dr. Lauren Sawchyn (a small animal veterinarian and artist), and their pets. His border collie, Tam, often assists him on farm calls. He enjoys trail riding and riding at the beach. A lifelong endurance athlete, Dr. Derek has completed several marathons and can often be found running on the trails around Essex County. He is an avid gardener and will gladly talk to you at length (or possibly ad nauseum) about his vegetable plot.
Dr. Derek lives in Hamilton with his wife, Dr. Lauren Sawchyn (a small animal veterinarian and artist), and their pets. His border collie, Tam, often assists him on farm calls. He enjoys trail riding and riding at the beach. A lifelong endurance athlete, Dr. Derek has completed several marathons and can often be found running on the trails around Essex County. He is an avid gardener and will gladly talk to you at length (or possibly ad nauseum) about his vegetable plot.
DR. SARA COOK
Sara and her husband Doug also spent 2014 and 2015 in Nicaragua, working for a veterinary non-profit organization. They live in South Hamilton with their son Alden, their dog Livingston, and a cat named Frankenfurter. She enjoys trail riding her mustang pony, Cuatro, whenever possible.
Some of her favorite parts of large animal practice include helping to keep equine athletes stay sound and perform their best, emergency medicine (yes, really!) and managing older horses, donkeys and goats ensuring they stay happy and comfortable into their golden years. It is always amazing to witness the lifelong bond many of us share with our equine friends!
KIM DASILVA
Kim DaSilva is excited and proud to work with Black Brook Veterinary Services as practice manager and technician. Kim grew up in Ashburnham, MA where she graduated from Oakmont Regional High School. Following high school, she attended the University of Findlay in Ohio. After two years of pre-veterinary medicine studies, she found her passion and talent in the business management and breeding portions of the coursework. In 2013, she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Equine Business Management with a focus in Equine Reproduction and Western Equestrian Studies.
KIM DASILVA
Kim DaSilva is excited and proud to work with Black Brook Veterinary Services as practice manager and technician. Kim grew up in Ashburnham, MA where she graduated from Oakmont Regional High School. Following high school, she attended the University of Findlay in Ohio. After two years of pre-veterinary medicine studies, she found her passion and talent in the business management and breeding portions of the coursework. In 2013, she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Equine Business Management with a focus in Equine Reproduction and Western Equestrian Studies.
As a child, Kim spent much of her time heavily involved in 4-H. During the 12 years that she was involved, she served as president of her local club, a member of the state horse judging team, and a member of the Massachusetts 4-H Ambassador program. In her spare time, she joined a working-student program with a local reining horse trainer. She quickly became passionate about reining horses and continues to be involved in the industry. Kim hopes to some day start a small breeding program to produce a handful of top-quality reining horses.
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After college, Kim managed a few large boarding farms, including two reining facilities and one large dressage operation. She also did some training and teaching during that time. Eventually, she found her niche where she excelled working for four years as a large animal veterinary technician, receptionist, and office manager.
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In the fall of 2018, Kim married Jeremy, her high-school sweetheart of 13 years. Two years ago, they moved to Wenham with Kim’s first-born foal, Floki, and their Giant Schnauzer, Jarvis.
Dr. Sara Cook grew up in Weston, MA and was active in eventing and Pony Club. As an undergraduate, she also was a founding member of the UMass polo team. Sara is a 2008 graduate of Cornell Veterinary School; after graduating, she completed a rotating internship in large animal medicine and surgery at the University of Georgia. Since then, she has worked in sport horse practice, mixed animal practice, and for a local emergency hospital.
REFERRAL SPECIALISTS
VIN EQUINE SERVICES
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Dr. Vin is a graduate of the Large Animal Medicine residency program at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. He is a Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). His main clinical interests are emergency and critical care, neurological, gastrointestinal, respiratory diseases, and diagnostic ultrasound. He runs a clinical ambulatory consulting service that offers specialized testing and complex work-ups to local veterinarians in New-England.
He has presented in multiple international conferences and authored/coauthored articles that have been published in several scientific journals. In addition to having a busy clinical practice, he worked as the equine consultant for Idexx Laboratories for 6 years advising veterinarians across North America on all equine related matters and now runs his own consulting service.
Consulting Service
Telephone consulting services across the United States and Canada
Services offered include laboratory results interpretation, case management, therapy consulting and more. Members can call with any equine/large animal related question.
Direct phone/text contact and e-mail access for quick, in-depth expert input anytime you need it.
Clinical Ambulatory Consulting
Ambulatory internal medicine consulting and workups across New England.
- This service is mostly based on referrals from veterinarians across New England that use Dr. Vin's help and expertise working up complex equine internal medicine cases and advanced diagnostics stall-side.
These services include:
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Respiratory disease (including upper airway endoscopy, bronchoscopy, transtracheal washes, bronchoalveolar lavages, sinus drilling and lavage, head radiographs)
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Chronic GI disease (including gastroscopy, abdominal ultrasound, and endoscopy guided biopsies)
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Cardiology (including echocardiogram, EKG)
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Neurological disease evaluation (including spinal taps)
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Infectious disease consulting, disease outbreaks analysis and investigation (including Strangles and EHV1 outbreaks)
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Sports medicine evaluation and treatment
Emergency and elective clinic visits​
Dr. Vin is affiliated with the Myhre Equine Clinic in Rochester NH (www.myhreequine.com). He routinely sees emergency and elective internal medicine cases there, and consults on hospitalized surgical cases.
RON VIN DVM, Dip ACVIM (LAIM)
REFERRAL SPECIALISTS
Dr. Vin is a graduate of the Large Animal Medicine residency program at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. He is a Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). His main clinical interests are emergency and critical care, neurological, gastrointestinal, respiratory diseases, and diagnostic ultrasound. He runs a clinical ambulatory consulting service that offers specialized testing and complex work-ups to local veterinarians in New-England.
He has presented in multiple international conferences and authored/coauthored articles that have been published in several scientific journals. In addition to having a busy clinical practice, he worked as the equine consultant for Idexx Laboratories for 6 years advising veterinarians across North America on all equine related matters and now runs his own consulting service.
LEAH LIMONE DVM DAVDC (EQUINE)
NORTHEAST EQUINE VETERINARY DENTAL SERVICES​
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Dr. Limone earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and her veterinary medical degree from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation from veterinary school, she completed an internship in medicine and surgery at New England Equine Medical and Surgical Center in Dover, NH. She then joined a mixed practice in Connecticut that focused on advanced dentistry, and her interest was sparked.
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A Massachusetts native, Dr. Limone returned home and has been a general equine practitioner on the north shore and southern New Hampshire since 2009. Her caseload and interest has become increasingly focused on dentistry over that time, and she began working on a fellowship in equine dentistry with the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry (AVD) in 2010. There are currently only 6 veterinarians worldwide who have accomplished this level of professional achievement. In 2014, the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) established a formal equine dentistry residency program for specialty board certification. Dr. Limone transitioned from working towards the fellowship to pursuing requirements for the residency program with the goal being to attain board certification (equine veterinary dentist) in the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC). In 2018 Dr. Limone completed the residency program, fulfilling caseload and publication requirements, as well as passing both written and practical exams to become a diplomate of the AVDC for equine specialty.
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Dr. Limone is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), the veterinary profession's premier organization for the scientific advancement of equine veterinary medicine and professional support. She also serves on the Welfare and Public Policy Advisory Committee for AAEP. Dr. Limone is an active member of the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA), serving as Treasurer in 2018 and also serves on their Legislative Committee. She is a member of the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) which promotes and advances veterinary dentistry in general and is currently expanding to establish equine dentistry as a recognized practice specialty. Dr. Limone regularly attends continuing education events focusing on this rapidly advancing facet of veterinary medicine. Dr. Limone also enjoys volunteering with spay/neuter surgeries for the MSPCA at Nevins Farm.
Dr. Limone holds licenses to practice veterinary medicine in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Florida.
CONTACT US:
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday 8:30AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday 8:30AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday 8:30AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday 8:30AM - 5:30 PM
Friday 8:30AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday 8:30AM - Noon
*A veterinarian is on call 24/7 for emergencies