We’re Horse People Too
Hello from us
Welcome to Full Circle Equine. We are an ambulatory equine veterinary practice in southern Ontario. Full Circle Equine was founded by three veterinary colleagues who wanted to build a practice dedicated to personalized care for horses, their humans, and the teams that surround them. Doctors Tovah Caldwell, Samantha Molson, and Marisa Markey all previously practiced together before founding this practice, and we love being a team. We find that we fit together like a puzzle and excel while providing care together. Where one of us might be your go-to for lameness, another may come for a specialized surgery or dental procedure. We are passionate about building relationships and truly helping you to achieve your goals with your horse - whether that is just a healthy and happy life in a field, or a healthy and happy life in athletic competition, and everything in between.
Please take some time to look at the website to learn more about us and the services that we offer.
OUR VETERINARIANS
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Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Marisa enjoys all aspects of equine medicine and has a special interest in horse behaviour and mental wellbeing, dentistry, veterinary spinal manipulation therapy, and field surgeries.
Marisa grew up in Burlington, Ontario and was hooked on horses from a young age. She started riding arabian show horses and her show career took her all over Ontario, the Northeastern USA, and out to Canadian Nationals in Saskatchewan. Looking back, she knows her love of ground work and horse behaviour science started with those arabian horses. She attended the University of Guelph gaining a Bachelor of Science, Animal Biology in 2008. Shortly after graduating she worked as a veterinary assistant at a busy equine practice and fell in love with equine veterinary medicine. Marisa then attended the Ontario Veterinary College, graduating in 2015. After graduation she completed a busy and incredible one year internship at Moore Equine in Calgary, Alberta, and stayed for another year as an associate veterinarian. Marisa then came home to practice in Ontario and be closer to family. That same year she married a wonderful man who has supported her through this entire crazy journey. Through her years of practice Marisa has grown to love all aspects of primary equine care, with special passion for veterinary spinal manipulation therapy, geriatric care, dentistry, field surgeries, and equine behaviour. In 2021 Marisa gave birth to a beautiful baby girl in the middle of the pandemic, completing their family. In 2023 Marisa started to apply her continuing education in fear-based behaviours in horses, as well as the fear free approach to equine veterinary medicine, to help her patients overcome phobias and fear responses.
Marisa is a Fear Free certified equine practitioner and works to make veterinary visits a good experience for every horse.
When not working, Marisa can be found being Mom, spending time with her family and wonderful rescue dog, and spending as much time outdoors as possible.
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Fear Free Certification - 2023
Fear Based Behaviours in Horses (IAABC) - 2020
Veterinary Chiropractic Learning Centre - 2019
Dental Extractions VetPD course - 2018
Moore Equine/University of Calgary combined internship - 2015-2016
Ontario Veterinary College - 2011-2015
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Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Sam grew up in Toronto and fell completely in love with horses during her first riding camp. From there she started weekly riding lessons and joined her local pony club where she developed a strong interest in caring for horses in addition to riding. She competed her OTTB mare Madison in eventing and was fortunate to spend many years working as a groom for hunter/jumper and dressage riders. Sam always wanted to be a veterinarian and completed her undergraduate degree in Animal Biology at the University of Guelph followed by her veterinary degree at the Ontario Veterinary College, graduating in 2015. Following graduation, Sam completed an internship at Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center in New Jersey where she was able to hone her skills in all aspects of equine practice. She then returned home to Ontario and joined a large ambulatory practice where she was able to further develop her interests in sports medicine and diagnostic imaging. Sam also completed her certification in veterinary acupuncture from the Chi Institute in 2022 and has greatly enjoyed incorporating this modality into her practice. Sam is an FEI treating veterinarian and is completing courses with International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology (ISELP) to work towards certification. Her main practice interests include diagnostic imaging, lameness and poor performance evaluations but Sam truly enjoys all aspects of equine practice.
While not working, Sam enjoys hiking with her rescue dog Billie, hot yoga and spending time with her wife Jordan. She also hopes to return to eventing again one day!
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ISELP Fetlock, Carpus, Metacarpus Module- 2024
Certification of Veterinary Acupuncture, Chi Institute- 2022
ISELP Stifle and Thigh Module- 2020
ISELP Pelvis Module- 2019
Mid Atlantic Equine Medical Center - 2015-2016
Ontario Veterinary College - 2011-2015
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Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Tovah grew up the typical horse crazy little girl. Mucking stalls on weekends in exchange for riding lessons and spending weekends at horse shows. This love for horses started early and eventually led her to the Atlantic Veterinary College where she graduated in 2009. After graduation, Tovah completed an internship at Littleton Equine Medical Center and thereafter spent several years in equine practice in Southern Ontario working alongside Dr. Samantha Molson and Dr. Marisa Markey. In 2022, she moved to Calgary for a teaching role at the University of Calgary School of Veterinary Medicine. Realizing she desperately missed full time practice and missed her colleagues even more, Tovah returned to Ontario in 2025 to join forces with Dr. Molson and Dr. Markey to create Full Circle Equine Veterinary Services.
Tovah enjoys all aspects of equine practice and general care, but has a special interest in sport horse medicine, particularly lameness, performance issues, and understanding how spinal pain (back/neck) affects behaviour and performance. She is certified in both veterinary spinal manipulation therapy and medical acupuncture, and uses these therapies to complement her medical treatment plans. Tovah loves the variety that ambulatory practice provides and also enjoys dentistry, medical work ups, wellness and urgent care. She thrives when working with horse owners to create unique treatment plans tailored to the individual goals of the horse and rider.
Tovah cares deeply about creating a sustainable equine practice for veterinarians, technicians, support staff and clients. She completed a Masters degree in Leadership at the University of Guelph in 2020, studying how mindfulness can support career longevity and wellbeing for equine veterinarians This led her to become a certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction facilitator which she offers to support the veterinary community. She has a love for this profession and is so excited to be a part of Full Circle Equine.
When not working you can find Tovah enjoying the local hiking trails with her partner, taking in a hot yoga class, or working out at a ridiculously early hour.
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FEI Official Veterinarian Course - 2024
Equine Instructor at the Veterinary Chiropractic Learning Center - 2016 to Present
Vet PD Advanced Dental Extractions - 2024
Masters in Organizational Leadership - 2020
CuraCore Veterinary Medical Acupuncture - 2016
FEI Treating Veterinarian - 2015 - present
Veterinary Chiropractic Learning Center - 2015
Numerous advanced diagnostic imaging courses 2010 - present
Littleton Equine Medical Center internship - 2009-2010
Atlantic Veterinary College 2005-2009
OUR TEAM
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Vet Assistant
Alexis’ passion for horses began at a young age, competing in the hunter/jumper circuit and growing up immersed in the equestrian world. She pursued her love for equine care at the University of Guelph, earning a Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management in Equine Care and Management in 2019.
With a strong interest in equine health, she also obtained a certification in Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF). Outside of work, Alexis enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Lulu and Wellesley, and relaxing at the cottage.
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Office Manager
Chelsea grew up along the ocean outside of Halifax, Nova Scotia. She spent any time possible with horses, even in a non-horsey family!
She moved to Ontario in 2016 to chase her eventing dreams competing up to the 2* level. More recently focusing on her passion of developing young horses and finding homes for retired race horses. Chelsea is looking forward to working in a field fuelled by her passion. She can’t wait to get to know the Full Circle family (horses and humans)!
When not working you can find her on the farm with her horses, dogs and two children.
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Vet Assistant
Maria is a dedicated equine professional with over 15 years of experience in horse handling and care. She completed her undergraduate degree in Animal Science at the University of Guelph in 2019. During her studies, she was involved with the Ontario Veterinary College's Foal Watch program, gaining hands-on experience with neonatal care.
Maria further advanced her expertise by earning a Master of Science degree in Animal Biosciences in 2022, specializing in equine nutrition and microbiology. Maria's comprehensive background in equine science and practical experience makes her a well-rounded expert in the field.
The Joy of Veterinary Medicine
“ While you’re here, we want to talk about the profession that we love. Veterinary medicine is in crisis, especially large animal and equine medicine. Fewer and fewer students are choosing equine and large animal, and even fewer stay in this field for more than 5 years after veterinary school. In building this clinic, one of our goals is to build a practice that we can work in for our whole career, and model that to other veterinarians.
There are so many innovative ways that equine vets are making changes for the better within their profession. We are excited to implement some of those new strategies to help us keep the joy in our careers. We have all been doing this for a long time now and the one thing that we know for sure is that there will always be ups, downs, coffee, cookies, and chocolate. We hope that if you come on this ride with us that you’re ready for all of that and more. Horses don’t follow the textbook, after all.”