Veterinary professional hugs a brown dog with a purple harness.

A legacy of veterinary excellence

Built on expertise, guided by compassion, and dedicated to advancing pet care.

Our founding vision

Dr. Scavelli established Garden State Veterinary Specialists in 1994 with a revolutionary concept: a referral-only specialty practice where veterinary specialists collaborate as a unified team.

This model — unique at the time — was designed to provide referred patients with comprehensive care, expert consultations across multiple disciplines, and access to state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment.

A veterinary professional positions a small fluffy white dog on an x-ray table under an x-ray machine in a clinical setting.

Growing with the community

As demand for community-based specialty medicine increased, GSVS expanded its footprint and services. This expanded family of hospitals enables inter-hospital collaboration on complex cases, ensuring patients benefit from our entire team’s expertise.

In early 2024, Garden State Veterinary Specialists relocated to a best-in-class veterinary hospital. Equipped with the latest innovative technologies and staffed by specialists in all the major fields of medicine, the new hospital provides quality and compassionate care to patients throughout the tri-state area.

Person in a blue uniform interacting with a small dog on an examination table.

New chapter, same values

Building upon the growth of the GSVS family of hospitals, Dr. Scavelli founded Veritas Veterinary Partners – a national network of specialty and emergency veterinary hospitals across the United States; of which Garden State Veterinary Specialists is now a member.

Together our partner hospitals are committed to bringing high-quality, progressive veterinary care to the patients they serve in their community.

Our people

Our team unites specialized expertise with compassionate care across all departments.

Founder & Director

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER OF VERITAS VETERINARY PARTNERS

Thomas D. Scavelli, DVM, Diplomate ACVS

Medical Director

Michael G. Hoelzler, DVM, DACVIM

Hospital Director

Administrator of GSVS Family of Hospitals

Patricia Smillie-Scavelli, Esq.

Billing Department

Director of Billing

Gail Kent

Billing supervisor

Anne Virzi

Billing assistant

Robin Parker

Front Office Manager

Jennifer Todero

Partnership Advocate

Krystle Weiburg

Veterinary Technician Supervisors

Head supervisor

Carol Rice, CVT

Head Technician

Stephanie Lewis, BS, CVT, VTS

Head Technician

Lindsay Balint, BS, CVT

Night Shift Supervisor

David Hayes

Veterinary Technician Specialists

Stephanie Lewis, BS, CVT, VTS

Jane Thoman, CVT, VTS

Kristie Garcia, LVT, VTS

Trained for
excellence

We are a multi-disciplinary hospital

Our team of veterinarians, technicians, assistants, and support staff are dedicated to providing comfort, healing, and expert care when your pet needs it most.