Business Details
9 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Comprehensive Pet Care in Derby CT
Established in 2017, River Valley Veterinary Hospital has grown from a mobile-only service to a full-facility practice serving Connecticut's Milford, Orange, West Haven, Stratford, Derby, and surrounding areas. Our team of Fear Free Certified Professionals, led by Doctors Melissa Moore and Christopher Celentano, provides comprehensive care including surgery, dentistry, diagnostics, and home visits. We emphasize modern veterinary practices with digital imaging capabilities, laser therapy integration, and specialized feline care through our Cat Friendly Practice Gold status.Our facility in Derby, CT, houses advanced equipment while maintaining a client-focused approach that earned us AAFP certification and silver-level recognition in feline care programs. With over 25 combined years of veterinary experience, our team combines traditional service values with cutting-edge medical approaches to create low-stress environments for both animals and owners.
Services
Veterinary Surgery
Dental Care
Digital Radiography
Home Visits
Vaccinations
Pain Management
Microchipping
Nutritional Counseling
Euthanasia Services
Parasite Prevention
Details
- Year established: 2017
Highlights and features
- We offer Fear Free methodology reducing animal stress during visits
- Our team includes dual Fear Free Certified professionals with 20+ years combined experience
- We provide both mobile home visits and full hospital services
- We maintain Cat Friendly Practice Gold status through AAFP protocols
- Our facility features digital radiography and in-house laboratory diagnostics
Associations and certifications
- Fear Free
- Cat Friendly Practice Program
- American Animal Hospital Association
- American Association of Feline Practitioners
Services
Veterinary Surgery
Our in-hospital surgical suite handles spaying/neutering, mass removals, amputations, and abdominal exploratory procedures. Doctors Moore and Celentano use modern techniques with post-operative evening check-ins. The facility maintains strict infection controls and advanced pain management protocols for optimal recovery.
Dental Care
Full dental services include scaling, polishing, extractions, and digital dental radiography. Our equipment identifies hidden oral issues while Fear Free methods minimize stress. Preventative programs reduce periodontal disease risks through regular cleaning schedules and home care education.
Digital Radiography
Digital imaging provides instant diagnostic views of skeletal structures and internal organs. The system reduces radiation exposure while producing high-resolution images. This technology enables quicker diagnosis and treatment planning with immediate image sharing capabilities for client education.
Home Visits
Our mobile service delivers veterinary care directly to clients' homes across 12 Connecticut towns. Specially trained Fear Free professionals use portable equipment to perform wellness exams, vaccinations, and basic diagnostics in low-stress environments suitable for anxious pets.
Pain Management
Integrated pain management combines pharmaceutical and non-drug therapies including laser treatments. Custom plans address arthritis, post-surgical discomfort, and chronic conditions while maintaining quality of life. The approach balances effectiveness with minimal side effects through careful protocol selection.
People
Melissa J. Moore
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Graduated from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2006 with prior mixed animal practice experience. Specializes in feline care and Fear Free methodology while maintaining Cat Friendly Practice certification.
Christopher Celentano
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Licensed in CT and NY with internship experience at ASPCA Animal Hospital. Holds Fear Free Certification and specializes in exotic animal care with zoo medicine background. Joined River Valley after completing veterinary training at Virginia-Maryland College.
Sarah
Certified Veterinary Technician
Veterinary professional with Fear Free training and experience in laboratory procedures. Holds a BS in Veterinary Science while maintaining certification through continuing education programs at the hospital facility.
Morgan
Concierge Care Specialist
Veterinary industry veteran with decade-long experience implementing Fear Free protocols. Coordinates mobile services while managing patient comfort techniques during home visits across the Valley's service areas.
Nina
Veterinary Technician
Graduate of Trumbull High School's AgriScience program with associate degree in Veterinary Technology. Specializes in equine care while managing patient handling techniques that align with the hospital's Fear Free objectives.
Questions
What services are available through home visits?
Concierge Critter Care home visits offer wellness exams, vaccinations, basic diagnostics, and pain management but exclude surgery and digital radiography services.
Does the hospital offer specialized cat care?
We maintain Cat Friendly Practice Gold status with Fear Free Certified Professionals specializing in low-stress feline handling techniques.
How far in advance should appointments be scheduled?
Hospital appointments typically require 1-2 week scheduling, though emergency cases receive priority access through our flexible scheduling system.
Are evening or weekend hours available?
Thursday hospital hours extend to 6:00 PM and Saturday appointments run from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM according to current schedules.
What payment methods do you accept?
We currently accept cash, major credit cards, and CareCredit financing options at both the hospital facility and during mobile visits.
Do you offer multi-pet household discounts?
Our standard pricing applies to all visits, though bundled services during single appointments may qualify for reduced rates through our flexible pricing model.
