Local Veterinarian Launches Full-Service Animal Hospital

A new, homegrown veterinary clinic is coming to Cedar Grove.

Local veterinarian Dr. David Wellington is the principal figure behind the Well Pet Animal Hospital, a full-service state-of-the-art facility expected to open its doors this summer to serve the needs of township pets. Preventative and wellness care, general surgery, vaccinations, dental care, pain management, micro-chip identification, prescription diets and medications are among the services to be offered there.

The project will be housed in a 4,000-square-foot facility at 109 Pompton Ave. boasting full in-house laboratory capabilities. The hospital will have two exam
rooms, digital diagnostic imaging equipment and surgical services. To make life easier for the four-legged patients' families, Well Pet will have a pharmacy on-site. Pet grooming and boarding services will be offered too.

The hospital, which already has established presences on Facebook and through its website, will be housed in a says it will give comprehensive veterinary care and individualized service to dogs, cats, rabbits, chinchillas, guinea pigs, ferrets and other animals.

The hospital is the fulfillment of Cedar Grove resident David Wellington's long-held dream.

Born in Brooklyn, Wellington earned an associates degree in applied sciences and veterinary technology from the State University of New York at Alfred and moved on to Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, where he obtained a bachelors degree in animal science and pre-veterinary medicine and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2007. After taking a year to work in private practice and in shelter medicine, Wellington then completed a post-doctoral training program at the Yale University School of Medicine. 

Since 2011, he has offered veterinary services through More than a Walk, a mobile veterinary practice, pet sitting and dog-walking business he co-founded with his fiancé, veterinary technician Martha Baquero. He said the mobile service will continue after Well Pet opens, and that he, Baquero and two others will comprise the hospital's staff.

Wellington said he was able to fund his dream thanks to a Small Business Administration loan for $800,000 through Unity Bank.

“Unity Bank was recommended to me by our realtor and they have been
great throughout the process,” Wellington said. “Martha and I are both lifelong pet lovers and our goal is to provide quality veterinary care at an affordable price. Unity Bank is helping us bring that dream to life.”

The financing comes via the federal 7(a) Loan Program, an SBA program that helps start-up and existing small businesses get loans when they might not be eligible for business loans through normal lending channels. 

“Dr. Wellington has an amazing work ethic and significant hands-on experience and is an excellent candidate for starting a new business through our SBA program," said Unity Bank Vice President Debbie Godt. "We are thankful for the opportunity to help him fulfill his dream.”

Wellington said he's now waiting for building permits so that he can complete renovations for the property, which sits in a commercial zone. The plan, he said, is for Well Pet Animal Hospital to open by July or August.