Tracey M. Cantamessa
New Jersey, USA
ACADEMIC PREPARATION:
Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (2004)
Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine North Grafton, MA
B.A. In English (1997)
The University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Veterinarian June 2004- present
Rutherford Animal Hospital, Rutherford, NJ
-
well care and preventative medicine of cats, dogs, small mammals (including rabbits, ferrets, chinchillas, guinea pigs, rats, mice, hamsters) birds, and some reptiles
-
comprehensive work-up of cases
-
routine soft tissue surgeries of all small mammal species listed above
-
exotic small mammal dental procedures including incisor and molar trims when indicated
-
able to counsel pet owners about proper husbandry and particular behavior subtleties of their exotic pet or bird
-
competent in radiology and basic ultrasound skills
-
shelter veterinarian for the Passaic Animal Shelter from August 2004 to present; responsible for development of updated policies and protocols; managed care of animals in shelter as well as assisting with adoptions and education of the public
-
attention to finding new ways of reducing stress and promoting environmental enrichment for our shelter pets and patients
-
major contributor to the Rutherford Animal Hospital Facebook site (photo galleries, client interaction)
-
creator of web albums such as “Zoey’s Big Spay Day” whose purpose is to familiarize clients with what happens after they leave their pet at the hospital for a routine surgery
-
author of several Rutherford Animal Hospital newsletter articles including such topics as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, and Captive Birds
-
provides veterinary services for five local PETCO branches
-
competent to triage and stabilize most injured wildlife species and arrange for transportation to the appropriate secondary facility for continued medical management
- Guest lecturer for the Companion Animal Science class at Rutgers College New Brunswick, New Jersey. Topic: Rabbits and Rodents (March 2011)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
-
American Veterinary Medical Association 2004-present
-
Exotic DVM Forum 2004-present
-
Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians 2006-present
SPECIAL HONORS:
-
awarded the Irma E. Baron Humanitarian Award upon graduating from Tufts Veterinary School (2004)
PRE-PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
-
traveled with The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association Field Services Program (formerly Remote/Rural Area Veterinary Services) to provide free veterinary medical and surgical services to three Native American Reservations in Arizona and California (2004)
-
veterinary Assistant at VCA in Westboro, MA (2002-2003)
-
observation at the Lakota Wolf Preserve (summer 1999)
-
groomer’s assistant at Cecil’s Grooming Salon in Glen Rock, NJ (1999)
-
veterinary technician/ receptionist at New Bridge Veterinary Practice in Bergenfield, NJ (1997-1999)
-
veterinarian’s assistant at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, NJ (1999)
-
animal care assistant/ sales at Route 4 Aquarium and Bird in Elmwood Park, NJ (1999)
-
volunteer at Albermarle SPCA in Virginia (1997)
-
editorial and acquisitions assistant at Marcel Dekker Inc (a medical and technical publishing company) Manhattan, NY
-
groomer’s assistant at A Dog and Cat’s World in Glen Allen, Virginia (1995)
-
boarding kennel technician at Calypso Boarding Kennels in Fredricksburg, VA (1994-1995)
-
equine stable assistant at Wooded Acres Farm in Paramus, NJ (1992-1993)
-
kennel assistant at Hawthorne Animal Hospital in Hawthorne, NJ (1991)
-
animal care technician at Ridgewood Pet Shop in Ridgewood, NJ (1990-1991)


