Our Team
Doctors
Danci N. Mock, V.M.D.
A true staple of the hospital and the surrounding community, Dr. Danci Mock has been a veterinarian at West Caldwell Animal Hospital since 1984. After growing up in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey and completing her undergraduate education at Beloit College, Dr. Mock graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 1984. She has continued shepherding the staff at West Caldwell Animal since that time and setting the standards to which the rest of the staff aspire.
Personal pets: A rescue cat named Jacqueline.
Areas of special interest: Surgery, preventative care.
Work history: West Caldwell Animal Hospital since 1984, relief work for several other companion animal hospitals
Personal interests: Traveling, reading, hiking, cooking, playing games with friends & family.
Elaine Merriwether, D.V.M.
Dr. Merriwether is a graduate of Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree from DePaul University in Chicago. After graduating from veterinary school in 1993, she practiced in the Chicago area for several years before moving to New Jersey in 2007. She has had extensive experience working up medical cases and performing soft tissue surgery. She enjoys educating owners and mentoring staff. She has taught surgery skills at the Bergen County College technician program. She has an astounding variety of dogs of her own and hopes to do some agility training with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. As a prior owner of two American Saddlebred horses, she would also like to find time to retur to horseback riding. For now, she enjoying cooking for her family and friends, (Thai and Korean are currently the favorites), traveling (most recently to Korea) and all things K-Pop!
Technicians
At West Caldwell Animal Hospital, we are proud of our elite staff of certified veterinary technicians, or veterinary nurses. Our techs have all worked together at WCAH for more than 10 years, developing a deep knowledge of our patients and their families, as well as a seamless working relationship.
Lisa Cremona
Our head technician, Lisa Cremona, joined the WCAH family in 2004. If you have been to WCAH since that time, you have almost certainly been greeted by Lisa at least once and seen her running about the hospital with her trademark efficiency. Lisa’s value goes far beyond just her excellent skills as a technician – she has also personally trained every one of our younger technicians, helping to build the trust between our staff members and to propagate her own high standards in practice.
Personal pets: A Rottweiler mix named Marley.
Areas of special interest: Dentistry, client education, patient care.
Personal interests: Gardening, birdwatching, cooking, accumulating more daily steps on a Fitbit than the rest of us do in a month.
Elise Ranero
Elise Ranero joined WCAH in 2011 and has been an integral part of the practice ever since. Elise is always focused on maintaining the highest standard of care for our patients and making sure everyone’s needs are met (which, unfortunately for her, includes serving as our unofficial on-site technical support). Her compassionate and dependable care for patients has kept the hospital running smoothly at all times.
Personal pets: One cat, Mirage; one Foxhound mix, Storm.
Areas of special interest: Client education, parasitology.
Personal interests: Reading, video games, learning bizarre facts.
Christine Rodrigues
Christine Rodrigues has been with us since 2010. Like all of our technicians, she first joined WCAH while completing her veterinary technician training, and it was immediately obvious that she was a perfect fit for our hospital. While Chris’s talents in the field extend to all of our fuzzy creatures, she has a special gift for handling and soothing our more cantankerous canine and fussier feline patients, as well as a genuine gift for grooming dogs and cats.
Personal pets: Two cats, Esmeralda (“Emmy”) and Mica.
Areas of special interest: Low-stress/fear-free handling, grooming, anesthesia.
Personal interests: Yoga, nature walks, traveling, painting.
Chris also speaks fluent Spanish and Portuguese.
Alexandria Maione
Our “newest” veterinary technician, Alexandria Maione has been a part of the WCAH family since even before receiving her technician certification. She first joined WCAH as a kennel attendant in 2012, and then served as a receptionist for many years, prior to completing her technician training in 2017. This comprehensive experience has given Alex a deep knowledge of our patients and clients and an understanding of the human-animal bond, while her natural disposition helps keep our patients comforted throughout their exams.
Personal pets: One cat, Harley; one Mastiff mix, Demitasse (“Demi”).
Areas of special interest: Low-stress/fear-free handling, anesthesia, dentistry.
Personal interests: Crafting, long walks through Target.
Gail Stock
Gail Stock has been a part of the West Caldwell Animal Hospital staff since 2002. Her steady demeanor, deep well of knowledge, and skilled hands have made her indispensable. Gail has tried to retire several times, but we keep pulling her back. Her expertise is invaluable, and her understanding of patients is unparalleled.
Personal pets: A mixed breed dog, Izzy.
Areas of special interest: Preventative care, client communication, shelter medicine.
Personal interests: Birdwatching, gardening, classical music, baking, reading.
Receptionists
Our friendly front desk staff will help address all your concerns. When you call our hospital, you will likely be greeted by Cayla, who will be happy to assist you in scheduling appointments, relaying medical information to and from the medical staff, and getting your questions answered.
Technician Assistants
Our technician assistants keep the hospital running smoothly, helping both doctors & technicians to facilitate the highest standards of care.