Meet Our Team
Meet the veterinarians and team of Basking Ridge Animal Hospital. We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!
Get to know our team
We are solely dedicated to your pet’s care! We look forward to getting to know you and hope you’ll take the time to scroll down and get to know us.
Veterinarians
Dr. Erno Hollo
Veterinarian / Medical Director
Dr. Erno Hollo graduated from the prestigious University of Veterinary Sciences in Budapest, Hungary, in 1980. Established in 1787, it was the fifth veterinary school created worldwide. He moved to the United States in 1984 and began his association with the Basking Ridge Animal Hospital in 1990. His interests include all aspects of small animal medicine – internal medicine, soft tissue surgery, senior care, oncology, reproductive medicine, etc. He resides with his wife and two children in Bernardsville, NJ. He is the proud owner of a Jack Russell Terrier, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, and one cat. He also raises rare Hungarian Mangalitsa pigs, grass-fed lambs, and chickens on his small farm. His passion, other than his family and profession, is wine. He is part owner of a small winery in the Tokaj region in Hungary and is determined to bring the dry Furmint wine to world fame. He is also a history buff and enjoys traveling and restoring antiques.
During his tenure, Dr. Hollo provided mentorship and training for several young veterinarians who, therefore, became a great addition to the NJ veterinary community.
Dr. Melissa Rotella
Veterinarian
Dr. Melissa Rotella earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science from Rutgers University before completing her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University in 2006. Dr. Rotella then moved back to her home state of NJ and, until recently, was practicing small animal veterinary medicine in Middlesex County. She is excited to be a member of the excellent team at Basking Ridge Animal Hospital. She enjoys internal medicine, soft tissue surgery, dental procedures, and preventative medicine. When not at work, Dr. Rotella enjoys quality time with her husband and two young daughters. This involves dance parties and princess dress-ups. Not to be forgotten are her three furry children: a cat named Jack, a cat named Miles, and a Golden Retriever named Gus.
Dr. Taylor Blachek
Veterinarian
Dr. Taylor Blachek was born and raised in northern New Jersey. She received her bachelor of science degree from Pennsylvania State University. During this time, she spent her summers working at many veterinary hospitals and quickly discovered her passion for all aspects of veterinary medicine. Dr. Blachek then went on to earn her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Purdue University, where she graduated with honors. Her professional interests include preventative care, internal medicine, soft tissue surgery, and client education. She says the most satisfying and rewarding part of being a veterinarian is developing lasting relationships with her clients and seeing the joy of families with their healthy pets! Outside work, Dr. Blachek enjoys boating on Lake Hopatcong, Penn State Football, baking sweet treats, hiking, and spoiling her black Labrador Retriever, Tickle.
Specialists
Dr. Anjilla Cooley
DVM, MS, Orthopedic & Soft Tissue Surgeon
Anjilla Cooley, DVM, MS, is a 1992 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Cooley completed an internship at the University of Missouri of Columbia and her surgical residency and master’s degree at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. A native of the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, area, she is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Cooley has taught principles in asepsis, anesthesia, and abdominal surgery to junior and senior veterinary students at Cornell University for three years. She has done extensive research in canine urethral healing after trauma. Her areas of interest include urogenital surgery and head and neck surgery.
Dr. Wendy Ross
DVM, DACVS, Orthopedic & Soft Tissue Surgeon
Wendy Ross DVM, DACVS, is a 1986 graduate of Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine. She is a native of New Jersey who graduated from Montclair High School in 1978. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and also a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Northwestern New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association, and Metropolitan New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Ross has completed many continuing education courses to offer your pets the best care possible. She has been a guest speaker for the Biomedical Careers Summer Program at Montclair State University, participated in the Mentorship program and Career Day at the Sojourner Truth Middle School, and was a guest speaker on Channel 12’s “Pet Stop” program. Her publications include “Evaluation of an Omental Pedicle Extension Technique.” Veterinary Surgery, 22(1);37-43, 1993.
Dr. Christopher Thacher
Orthopedic & Soft Tissue Surgeon
Dr. Christopher Thacher received his veterinary degree from the University of California (Davis) in 1980. He completed both an internship in small animal medicine and a surgery residency at The Animal Medical Center. Dr. Thacher first joined the staff of Red Bank Veterinary Hospital (Tinton Falls) in 2001 after serving as the Chairman of the Department of Surgery at The Animal Medical Center from 1986-1993. He is well-regarded among the referral community and has a reputation for surgical excellence and teaching, as he has overseen the education of many rotating interns and surgery residents.
Dr. Ben Staiger
DVM, Surgeon
Dr. Ben Staiger is a highly versatile surgeon with more than 15 years of experience working in academia and at a variety of high-volume veterinary hospitals. He routinely performs a wide range of specialty surgeries. Besides his extensive orthopedic training, strong interest in traumatology, and love for soft tissue surgery, Dr. Staiger has a particular passion for minimally invasive surgery and interventional radiology. Inspired by the exceptional level of veterinary care and quality of specialty training in the United States, Dr. Staiger pursued surgical specialization at Michigan State University after graduating from the Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich, Germany, in 2004. After moving to New Jersey in 2011, he pioneered the IR Service at NorthStar VETS and established the surgery service at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Hillsborough. In 2014, he founded Princeton Veterinary Specialists, a company that provides specialty surgery and care to select practices in New Jersey. Dr. Staiger enjoys a number of downtime activities, including traveling, hiking, sailing, skiing, motorcycling, and gardening. He loves good food, great company, and, above all, quality time with his friends and family, which, of course, includes a furry section.