Carole Jones, D.V.M. - '81

Carole G. Jones, D.V. M. graduated from Ridgewood High School as a member of the Class of 1981. Prior to her untimely death in March 2014, she had been a practicing veterinarian in Bergen County for nineteen years. Jones received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Ramapo College and then in 1994 earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama. She also participated in the Master's Program for Biology at Montclair State University, including teaching various biology courses, prior to attending Tuskegee University. Before matriculating into veterinary school, she worked as a veterinarian technician at several practices. She also was an assistant scientist in veterinary emergency medicine at Hoffman La Roche prior to attending veterinary school. During the summer between academic years of veterinary school, she worked at the Animal Emergency Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she learned to be a first-line provider responsible for initiating resuscitation and stabilization, starting investigations and interventions to diagnose and treat illnesses in the acute phase, and determining disposition regarding patients' need for hospital admission, observation, or discharge. This experience proved to be invaluable in her career. She spent the majority of her time in practice at Wayne Animal Hospital where she was known as a first rate diagnostician and surgeon. Her focus was her clients; she treated them as if they were her pets. She would often spend nights at the hospital if an animal in a dire situation was brought in or to monitor a client's vitals after surgery. Telephone calls or texting with clients late into the night and early morning hours was a common activity. In addition to her dedication to her practice, she volunteered her surgery skills at spay and neuter clinics, animal refuges and free rabies clinics. A co-worker remarked, "She was a true doctor in every sense." Carole loved animals and the practice of veterinary medicine and her clients respected her for her acumen, ability, generosity, and integrity. Inducted 2016.