About Us
Christopher Stancel, DVM
Since a very young boy, I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian and this was a lifelong dream of mine. Animals were always a part of my life. I had been keeping birds and exoitc pets since I was a small child and I took a great interest in their care as well as their medicine. My freshman year in High Schoold I worked at a local pet store that continued on for 10 years. I gained vast knowledge in their care and my special interest in avian and exotic pets grew larger.I received my Animal Science degree from Rutgers University in 1997.While at Rutgers, I worked on their farm, was a zookeeper at a small zoo in the Newark Museum, and performed nutritional research on turtles in association with the Bronx Zoo. The paper written, based on this research, later became published and has been used many times as reference material. I also received the George H. Cook Scholar Award from Rutgers University.While in college and for some time after, I worked for a nearby veterinary clinic as a technician and my knowledge of medicine and interest of becoming a veterinarian only grew stronger.
I received my veterinary degree in 2004 from Ross University-School of Veterinary Medicine found on the island of St. Kitts.There I gained not only my degree but many lifelong experiences.I was part of starting and managing People for the Animal Welfare on St. Kitts (P.A.W.S.) to help better the lives of these poorly treated animals.During my 2 year term of Vice President, President and Treasurer of this organization, I helped the lives of over 400 animals and received the Community Service Award from Ross University. My last clinical year was spent at Louisiana State University- School of Veterinary Medicine where I spent most of my rotations in the Avian, Exotic, Wildlife and Zoo animal rotations along with the small animal and large animal rotations. While at LSU I also spent a two week externship at the Baton Rouge Zoo and later spent my last six weeks performing an externship at the Animal Medical Center in NYC in the avian and exotic department.
I joined Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital in September of 2007 after spending 3 ½ years prior as an associate veterinarian in a 24-hour veterinary hospital in New York.There I saw a large percentage of avian and exotic pets along with dogs and cats. I gained further experience in their area of medicine and surgery and has brought that knowledge of exotic animal medicine and surgery here to Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital. I enjoy all aspects of veterinary medicine from diagnosticsto medicine, surgery, and importantly the patient/ client relationship that develops with a veterinarian and their clients.I have a strong interest in avian and exotic animal medicine, attend continuing education conferences and hope to some day become board certified. I have a strong belief in the preventative medicine of all pets but especially in exotic animals as their illnesses are often missed until too late. I am a member of the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians, Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians, the Association of Avian Veterinarians and the Association of Sugar Glider Veterinarian.
In 2004, I not only began my journey as a veterinarian but also riased the level of my hobby to inlcude breeding. I have always had some of my reptile reproduce on their own without any major efforts to induce this. However, in 2004 I ventured more in to breeding starting with Leopard Geckos and then Bearded Dragons, Ball pythons, Crested Geckos and Mali Uromastyx. I currently work mainly with Red Stripe Leopard Geckos, Enigma crosses including Red Stripe Enigmas, Dreamsickles, Tangerine and Sunglow Enigmas that produce High Purple Enigmas and Tremper Giant Albino Leopard Geckos. I also work mainly with Italian Leatherback Bearded Dragon Crosses which include hypos, translucents and regular crosses. I also have a pair of Blue Eyed Bearded Dragons with high expectations from them.
I am a strong believer in providing the best care for our pets, wether it is a dog or cat or especially a bird, reptile or small mammal. This care not only includes diet, environment etc but also preventative health care provided by an experienced veterinarian. This essential to ensure these pets live long healthy lives and give us years of ownership. Too often I see them come in very sick and owners often misguided by their care. Disease can be detected early an dthat is the role of regular check ups and testing as reccomended by your veterinarian. Please read through my site and not only look at the animals in my collection but also read the informative care sheets and veterinary information provided. Thank you.