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“Dr. Elia and her staff are wonderful! We had the greatest experience with our sick senior beagle (17 years old). Throughout his care, we could really tell that Dr. Elia loves her job, and really cares for her patients.” Charlotte

Dr. Jaime Elia, DVM

Owner | Chief of Staff

A native of New Jersey, Dr. Elia grew up in Tenafly and currently resides in Sussex County. Dr. Elia received her undergraduate degree from Rutgers University in 2000, her graduate degree from Cornell University in 2002, and her DVM degree from Ross University in January 2006, attending University of Minnesota for clinical rotations. After graduating from veterinary school, Dr. Elia practiced at Pomona Animal Hospital in New York. In 2007 she began working at Cresskill Animal Hospital where she ascended to Chief of Staff through December 2015. In January 2016 she became owner of The Animal Hospital of Roxbury.

Dr. Elia’s medical interests include animal behavior, internal medicine, and working together with her clients to provide a long lasting, healthy, and enjoyable human-pet relationship. She prides herself in giving back to the animal community through cooperative efforts with various local rescue and shelter organizations.

While attending University of Minnesota for clinical rotations, Dr. Elia met her husband Brent. Brent is a mechanical engineer with a local photonics company but you will frequently see him helping out around the facility. In 2013, they welcomed their daughter Taylor to their active family, and in 2015, Sydney joined the family. You will frequently see Taylor and Sydney at the clinic and attending hospital events in support of their mom! The girls enjoy horse back riding lessons on Rocket the pony and swimming! In her spare time, Dr. Elia enjoys camping, hiking, horseback riding with her 2 American Quarter Horses (Coho and Brackett), and training both horses and dogs. She also likes to spend time with her friends, family, and many pets as well as cooking and gardening. Dr. Elia’s pets include a Doberman, Alibi, and Boxer, Farley. You may recognize Alibi and Farley from TAHR logo! The family also includes 4 domestic long-haired cats: Steely Dan, Snoop, Dirty and Charlotte. She also has Kazi the Maltese. On weekends off, Dr. Elia enjoys spending time at her family farm in upstate New York.

Dr. Shanna Hickenbottom, DVM

Veterinarian

A native of Warren County New Jersey, Dr. Hickenbottom completed her bachelor of science degree in Biology at Bethany College in Bethany, WV in 2007. She went on to obtain her DVM degree at The Ohio State University in 2011 (Go Bucks!). After graduation, she practiced small animal medicine in rural Ohio for 4 years before starting as the staff veterinarian at the Humane Society of Parkersburg. She has since moved back home to be closer to family in the summer of 2019.

Dr. Hickenbottom’s medical interests include shelter medicine, small animal medicine and surgery, behavior, client communication, and rabbit medicine. She enjoys working with local area rescues, TNR (trap-neuter-release) programs, and Fix-it programs.

Dr. Hickenbottom spends most of her free time with her family. She and her husband, Dustin, have an active school age son, Colton, and their pets. They have 2 dogs: Maggie, a Golden Retriever and Pippi, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They also have 2 cats, Doc and Gatsby. Most of her pets were acquired through her work at the shelter. They like doing lots of outdoor activities together such as camping, biking, hiking, and enjoying the beautiful scenery northern New Jersey has to offer. When she is home, you can frequently find her reading, gardening, having family game nights, or teaching her dogs new tricks. She is an advocate and supporter for Autism research and support.

Dr. Kerry Elizabeth Scholz, DVM

Veterinarian

A New Jersey native, Dr. Scholz began her journey into veterinary medicine by working as a veterinary technician during college. She earned her B.S. in Animal Science from Rutgers University-Cook College and a M.S. in Instructional Technology from Drexel University before starting vet school. She received her DVM from Ross University in 2007 after completing her clinical rotations at Auburn University. After graduating from veterinary school, she returned to New Jersey to complete an equine internship and stayed on as an associate at Running “S” Equine Veterinary Services for 6 years. Dr. Scholz then worked at Bucks County Equine where she was exposed to alternative therapies. She started her studies with the Chi Institute at that time and completed her Acupuncture class in 2014. In February 2015, she started her own practice so that she could use integrative medicine to more effectively treat the needs of her patients. She believes it is important to focus on the patient and not on the disease process to provide the highest level of care possible. Dr. Scholz is excited to share her philosophy and knowledge with The Animal Hospital of Roxbury family.

Dr. Scholz’s professional interests include internal medicine, dermatology and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) modalities such as Acupuncture and Herbal Therapy. She is working towards becoming a Certified TCVM Practitioner as she continues her studies in Food Therapy and Tui-na, a form of Chinese medical massage.

In her free time, she enjoys cooking, spending time with her friends and family, doing yoga and riding her horse, Toby. She also hones her alternative skills on her own fur babies, Cyrus, Connor, Emmett and Chloe as she caters to their geriatric needs.

Kristen C.

Veterinary Technician

Kristen began working at The Animal of Roxbury in September of 2017. Kristen has been working in the veterinary field for the past 21 years as both a technician and practice manager. She is now currently enrolled in two programs finalizing her degree in Business Administration and certification as a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager. Kristen has two pets: a cat named Max and a tortoise named Shelly. When she is not working at the hospital she enjoys spending time with her daughter, Hailey.

Betty H.

Veterinary Technician

Betty has been in the veterinary field for 11 years. She has worked her way up from kennel to veterinary technician. Betty has a biology degree, but is currently working on her veterinary technician certification and hopes to one day go into a specialty. When Betty isn’t working she enjoys painting and making different kinds of crafts in her spare time. When she isn’t crafting she enjoys spending time at home with her dog, two cats and tortoise.

Nicole B.

Veterinary Assistant

Nicole has been an assistant at The Animal Hospital of Roxbury since it has first opened. She is currently in school to complete her degree in veterinary technology and hopes to specialize in animal nutrition once she completes her schooling. She also is a certified dog trainer and has a certification in animal behavior. When she is not at the hospital, Nicole likes to spend time at home with her two dogs Ozzy and Zoey, her seven cats, two betta fish, two chinchillas, two rabbits and iguana.

Martha R.

Receptionist

Martha is a native New Yorker who attended La Guardia Community College in LIC, majoring in Animal Health. She has always loved animals and worked for Dr. Golub for the past 14 years and has continued on with Dr. Elia here at The Animal Hospital of Roxbury. She is always happy to lend a hand anywhere she can and she enjoys talking to and developing relationships with clients and their pets. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her 5 kids, husband, 5 grand kids and 2 year old Dogo Argentino Walker.

Pat E.

Receptionist

Patti joined the practice December 2016 after being in the veterinary field as a receptionist for almost 20 years. We hope her years of experience will help us in our pursuit of making your pet care experience exceptional. Patti lives in Tenafly, NJ with her husband Paul of 40+ years and their 2 German Wirehair Pointers, Loden 11 and Arrow 4. They have 2 children a daughter Dr. Jaime Elia and a son Paul, a financial analyst who lives in Boston, MA Her hobbies include cooking and driving (good thing, the commute is a killer!).

Fran S.

Receptionist

Fran joined our team at AHR in April and enjoys welcoming our clients at the front desk and over the phone. Whether you are here for vet services, boarding or grooming appointments, Fran strives to provide the best care to you and your pets. Prior to raising 3 children, Fran was an HR and Finance Manager at AT&T. Most recently she managed the adoption center in Rockaway for Eleventh Hour Rescue. Fran is passionate about animal rescue and her love for all dog breeds, big and small. She is an active volunteer with several animal rescue organizations, serving in various capacities. At home, she has a 12 yo Chihuahua and a 5 yo Maltese. Fran is dedicated to being an empathetic and knowledgeable liaison between the pet parent and AHR’s wonderful medical team. Her heart is always with her 2 granddaughters who reside in Georgia.

Jacki G.

Veterinary Assistant

After 12 years in the creative design field, Jacki needed a change. She’s always had a love for animals and decided to give kennel work a try. She loved caring for the animals and over the past year has worked her way into a vet assistant position. She’s currently attending school to become a certified veterinary technician and has also obtained a certification in dog training. She has 3 dogs of her own and loves hiking and traveling.

Mary H.

Kennel Attendant / Veterinary Assistant

I started working in a family owned kennel in 2006 doing basic kennel work, cleaning, walking and bathing dogs. Since then I have experience in a VCA animal hospital helping place catheters and taking x-rays and working in a PetSmart as a professional bather assisting the groomers. I look forward to starting and finishing school at Bergen County Community College as a Certified Veterinary Technician. I have grown up with 3 German Shepherds and 1 cat. “The hairier and messier the better!”

Stephanie Z.

Kennel Attendant

Stephanie began working at the hospital in December 2014. She is currently finishing up her associated at the County College of Morris in exercise science and is transferring to William Patterson University to finish her degree in athletic training. Steph is also a certified personal trainer. She has been serving in the army national guard for 4 years as an MP (Military Police). She enjoys spending her free time with her 2 dogs, rock climbing and exercising.

Noel L.

Kennel Attendant

Bio to come…