Dr. Stetzer has been practicing veterinary medicine for many years. His first experience in his chosen field was as a volunteer at a practice near his home at the age of nine! Looking back, he now recognizes that while he was beginning what was to become a lifelong journey, he probably was more of a nuisance than a contributor. He continued to work as a kennel assistant and ultimately, a technician at that same practice throughout his high school years. Upon graduation, he enrolled as a pre-vet student at Penn State University, where he earned a degree in Animal Science. From there, he went on to receive a Master of Science in Animal Nutrition and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from The University of California at Davis. Upon graduation, he returned to his New York roots and a two-year internship at The Animal Medical Center in Manhattan. Then, it was on to Seattle, Washington, and a three-year residency in Comparative and Experimental Pathology at the University of Washington College of Medicine. During that tenure, he did consulting for the National Marine Fisheries Service, Marine Mammal Division, and led the Northwest Marine Mammal Stranding Network, while serving on the board of directors of the Seattle Aquarium.
Upon completion of his residency, he accepted a professorial position at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, where he taught pathology to veterinary students and pathology residents. After six years, he chose to return to general practice. He established Stetzer Veterinary Hospital in Coral Springs, where he practiced until 2004. At that point, he moved to the Berkshires of Massachusetts and practiced there until 2010, when he returned to Florida, and purchased Central Animal Hospital, in Boca Raton. He sold that practice and is now happily ensconced here at Tequesta Vet Clinic.
Dr. Stetzer lives in Lake Worth with his wife, Bernadette, three dogs, four cats, a bearded dragon named “Cake”, two chickens, a koi pond, and assorted aquariums. He is an avid butterfly gardener and a traditional black-and-white film photographer in his not-so-frequent spare time. He continues to thrive in his love for his life-long profession and comes to us with a world of experience, a kind and gentle demeanor, and certification in fear-free practice that is appreciated by his clients and his patients.