Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital Expands Surgical And Diagnostic Offerings In Wellington
By Sarah Harper
South Florida horse owners now have a new, innovative veterinary option right around the corner with the enhanced veterinary services offered by Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Wellington.
Rood & Riddle, founded in Lexington, Ky., is a world-renowned equine hospital known for highly advanced diagnostics and skilled veterinary experts who provide exceptional treatment for world-class show and race horses. The company recently expanded its veterinary services into Wellington by purchasing an equine hospital and adjacent property on South Shore Blvd.
Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital’s primary focus will be to offer referral support to local veterinarians. However, clients also have the opportunity to schedule elective surgeries, a wide range of diagnostic imaging services, as well as internal medicine, neurology and podiatry consultations.
The expertise provided by Rood & Riddle specialists, combined with cutting-edge diagnostic technology, will offer horse owners and veterinarians the ability to provide the highest level of health care for their equine patients.
“Rood & Riddle is pleased to expand its local practice and dedicated hospital presence in Florida. The world knows that the Village of Wellington is a major center for sport horse activities in North America,” Rood & Riddle CEO Bill Rood said. “Our mission has always been to provide the best care for our clients and patients wherever they are. The addition of this property allows our practice to better serve our many clients who compete in Florida every year, both in sport-horse activities and racing.”
In recent years, Florida has experienced an unmatched increase in the sport-horse disciplines while continuing to maintain a strong racehorse community. This growth trend solidified Rood & Riddle’s decision to establish a permanent Florida presence.
In addition to year-round surgical services, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital also will provide a team of veterinarians offering expertise in areas such as sport horse health care, neurology and podiatry to provide outstanding service for its clients.
Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital is working to update and upgrade the facility with a newly expanded surgical center, which includes an additional surgery suite, induction and recovery stall, transfer area, client viewing area and a treatment room. All the amenities of the new facility, including stalls, will be climate-controlled and continuously staffed. The new facility is on target to be completed during the early months of 2017. This renovation will provide an advanced level of diagnostic and surgical options for the South Florida equine community.
Veterinarian Dr. Jose Bras will lead the surgical team. Bras, originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, completed his veterinary training at the Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine, followed by an in-hospital internship at Rood & Riddle and then the completion of a surgical residency and master’s degree in biomedical science at Kansas State University. He joined the Rood & Riddle team as an associate in 2015, working in both the ambulatory and surgery departments.
“We are excited to debut the new hospital, which shows our commitment to the health, safety and welfare of horses in Florida,” Bras said. “I am looking forward to living in Wellington and becoming a part of the local community.”
Veterinarian Dr. Scott Pierce, a shareholder and 30-year veteran of Rood & Riddle, will oversee the Wellington facility, supported by not only Bras but also veterinary surgeon Dr. Jennifer Jordan, veterinarian Dr. Ashley Embly and his son, Dr. Riley Pierce, also a veterinarian. “We are thrilled to expand our services in Wellington on a year-round basis,” Pierce said. “Working with our global clients competing in Florida ensures our ability to keep their equine athletes at peak condition and is a win-win for everyone.”
Clients will also be able to schedule internal medicine and neurology consultations with Dr. Steve Reed, one of the foremost experts on equine neurology in the United States. He has authored or co-authored more than 150 peer-reviewed publications, and in 2008 was chosen to deliver the Frank J. Milne lecture at the annual meeting of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, a singular honor given to a leader in equine veterinary medicine.
Scheduled specialty services will also be available from veterinary podiatrists Dr. Scott Morrison and Dr. Raul Bras. Additionally, surgeon Dr. Rolf Embertson will occasionally visit to perform surgical procedures jointly with Bras. The entire experienced team of veterinarians and technicians are eager to bring Rood & Riddle’s world-class, reputable veterinary care to the competitive equestrian and racing communities in South Florida.
Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital is located at 5320 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 383-5437 or visit www.roodandriddle.com.
