New Animal Hospital Opens in Oradell

Christian Hurst, veterinarian and owner of Animal Care of Oradell, describes his new business as "a hospital with a heart." From the portraits of rescue dogs on the wall, to the resident house dog, Roxie--a dog rescued by Hurst--lying comfortably on the floor behind the front desk, this space has been designed to make the experience of visiting the vet as stressless as possible for animals. 

Painted in bright, cheerful, warm and welcoming colors, this new space on Berkshire Street offers a full offering of services for both cats, dogs and exotic pets--x-rays, dental and surgeries. Hurst will even make a house call should your pet need to be put down, to make the painful process less stressful on the family. 

"Sometimes when a family pet has to be put to sleep, I see the owner just sitting in their car as sad as can be after it's done," Hurst said. "They dread going home and not seeing their pet there."

"So, I offer this service to ease the trauma of the experience as much as I can."   

Growing up in Virginia and Ohio, Hurst spent hours roaming the woods with his trusted beagle looking for snakes, turtles, frogs...any animal. 

"I always loved animals," Hurst said. "I always knew I wanted to be a veterinarian."

Hurst has worked with every type of animal, from farm animals in Ohio to urban dogs of Detroit so well-trained to attack that even their owners are afraid of them. 

Hurst graduated from The Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. After spending a year practicing in Ohio, he moved to Detroit to work in emergency medicine. He came to Bergen County in 2002 and worked at Animal Emergency and Referral Associates as an emergency doctor for five years, followed by one year as an emergency doctor at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, and worked as a general practitioner in Hawthorne before opening Animal Care. 

Hurst said he decided to strike out on his own because he always marched to his own beat and wanted to be able to make his own decisions when it came to helping animals. Which is why he is committed to working with shelters and rescue centers. 

"I believe rescue and shelter dogs should get the same quality care as pets with owners," Hurst said. "And that's why I work closely with many rescue centers and shelters providing professional discounts."

Hurst's mission is to provide quality medical care for animals at affordable prices. He offers a 10 percent discount for police, fire and EMS. Through affordability, Hurst is hoping to build loyalty. 

With three exam rooms, and an operating room where Hurst performs surgeries, cages are set up in case an animal has to stay for a few hours or overnight for observation.

The hospital, which is operating as a paperless facility, has an observation window outside of the operating room. Hurst hopes that he can have small groups come in to observe minor surgeries. He also offers an x-ray room and a pharmacy.

Work is being done on a Doggie Daycare to be located in the adjoining space. 

Hurst said that he is working as hard as he ever did to introduce Animal Care to Oradell, River Edge, New Milford and all the surrounding towns.

Hurst stresses that his experience means nothing to people who don't know you.