About Our Veterinary Doctors

Dr. Ted Spinks, VMD

Under his guidance and 25 years of experience, the hospital has earned the respect and trust throughout Sussex county as a leader in the veterinary profession. He has brought the Hospital to a level of highest marks for exceptional professionalism and compassion for the animal patients and their owners.

Dr. Spinks, born and raised in the Sandyston section of Sussex County, acquired his desire to become a veterinarian from growing up on the family farm. There, he raised various farm animals, horses, dogs and cats.

He is an avid participant in the local community concerning animals, including 4-H programs, school lecturing, Cow Kids programs, and is a speaker at various feline and canine breeder clubs. He is an active member of the N.J. Veterinary Medical Association, A.V.M.A. and theAmerican Animal Hospital Association.

 

Graduating with honors from our local Pope John XXIII High School, completing his undergraduate degree in Animal Science in only 3 years from the Penn State University, and graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1981, Dr. Spinks has returned to his hometown very well qualified. Building the AAHA certified Animal Hospital in Augusta in 1986, after gaining experience in practice in Pennsylvania and New York, he has maintained the quality in small animal practice, using his experience andAAHA’s stringent standards for excellence in the field of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery.

 

After 15 years of growth in the existing animal hospital facility, Dr. Spinks found the need to expand. Using standards of the American Animal Hospital Association and a veterinary design architect, he designed the most state of the art veterinary hospital in Sussex County. He visited over 9 animal hospitals across the United States including the Hospital of the Year in Yorba Linda California for design and ideas. Every detail was planned using Frank Loyd Wright architecture including spaciousareas with natural light throughout. The staff, along with the clients and their pets find the design to make their experience comfortable and many have said that the facility is actually much nicer than their own personal medical facilities. Dr. Spinks did not use a general contractor but contracted it himself controlling every detail of construction to insure the best quality in materials and craftsmanship.

His special interests include feline internal medicine and canine orthopedics. He is Penn Hip certified which enables him to perform special tests to detect hip dysplasia in dogs at an early age. He has always found an interest in difficult medical and surgical cases. In conclusion, your companion animals will be in good hands with Dr. Spinks at the helm of the Animal Hospital of Sussex County.

Dr. Pamela Schott graduated from the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell in 1987. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biochemistry from the Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences, with distinction in all subjects. She grew up in Ridgewood, NJ and has a life-long love for and fascination with animals of all kinds.

Prior to joining the Animal Hospital of Sussex County in 2006, Dr. Schott practiced as an associate at the Animal Clinic of Morris Plains for 10 years, and has provided relief veterinary services for many animal hospitals in Northern NJ. Dr. Schott is an active member of VIN (the Veterinary Information Network) and thus has interactive, rapid access to specialists in all areas of veterinary medicine all over the world.

Over the past 20 years as a practicing veterinarian Dr. Schott has developed special expertise in treating avian, small mammal, reptile and other unusual pet species. Her extensive knowledge of each species’ unique needs and medical issues makes her Sussex County’s premier resource for owners of exotic house pets. She can frequently be found in surgery with a ferret needing adrenal gland removal, a guinea pig with a bladder stone, or performing neuter surgery for any species. She recommends a physical examination and consultation regarding nutrition and housing of your exotic pet any time a new pet is added to your household, and on a regular basis thereafter.

Another of Dr. Schott’s areas of interest is animal rescue and animal welfare advocacy. She is active as a volunteer for Australian Shepherd Rescue, and spent 10 days in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, treating animals rescued from the floods. She serves as a veterinary consultant for NJCAPSA (www.njcapsa.org), a non-profit group helping to raise awareness of problems associated with retail sales of puppies.

Dr. Schott lives with five rescued dogs, four cats, a ferret, goats, etc., as well as her own two human children.

Dr. Pat Farrell has joined our family as an experienced small animal veterinarian.  She is truly a family member since she is Dr. Spinks’ sister. She grew up in Sussex County and now is back to stay, living on her father’s family farm in Layton, N.J. She grew up raising Quarter horses and English Setter dogs on the family farm. She was also employed by Stokes State Forest as a Naturalist during summers while in college.

Along with her great smile and genuine caring attitude, Dr. Farrell brings with her a wealth of information and experience.  She has owned two successful veterinary practices in central Pennsylvania for 30 years.  Dr. Farrell is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine and excels  in the areas of pet nutrition and surgical skills.

Dr. Farrell has three children, two of whom are veterinarians. They are a family that has achieved so much support from each other and shared the love of veterinary medicine together.

 

Dr. Devin A. Doherty, DVM

Dr. Devin Doherty was born and raised in New Jersey.  During her childhood and undergraduate years she was intensely involved in training and showing horses.  Her horse Boss Lady still lives on her family farm to this day.  Dr. Doherty did her undergraduate work at Rutgers University Cook College where she was involved in multiple wildlife conservation research projects.  In her last year of college, Dr. Doherty was appointed as the youngest member of the East Amwell Environmental Committee which she served on until going to veterinary school. 

Dr. Doherty earned her veterinary degree at St. Georges University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada, West Indies.  Living in the West Indies provided many unique opportunities for working with different cultures and learning different medical techniques.

While in veterinary school, Dr. Doherty put most of her time into running and expanding the Feral Cat Project.  The Feral Cat Project is a trap and release spay and neuter project that provides education opportunities for the students, community outreach, adoptions and data for several research papers on infectious disease and public health.    She also had the honor of participating in Ocean Spirits, a research and conservation program for the Leatherback sea turtles that nest on the island.   

Dr. Doherty’s clinical work was performed at the University of Florida and Louisiana State University.  She enjoys working with all types of animals.  Her main interest is behavioral medicine and has recently attended NAVC’s Behavior Institute.  During her down time, Dr. Doherty enjoys spending time with her family, her three cats and her horse.  She loves outdoor and nature oriented activities such as trail riding, birding and hiking.