Our Team

Dr. Gaddy grew up in Connecticut. She received her DVM degree from Michigan State University in 2008 and moved to Jackson, NJ after graduation. She worked at various small animal practices, including owning her own practice until joining Ridgecrest in 2023. In addition to general medicine, Dr. Gaddy carries a special interest in radiology and ultrasound, as well as optimizing each pet’s health as they reach their golden years. She takes a very personalized approach so that every patient receives the most appropriate care for themselves as well as their owners.

Dr. Gaddy currently lives in Cream Ridge with her husband, 2 daughters, and their two dogs, Murphy and Pippin. During her free time, she enjoys many outdoor activities and being with her family.

Dr. Alexandra DeLeon grew up just down the road in beautiful Millstone Township, NJ where she spent most of her free time surrounding herself with animals.

Dr. DeLeon graduated from the University of Delaware’s Pre-Veterinary Program in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Biosciences. She earned her DVM from St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in January 2024 and completed her clinical year training at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. She is also fear-free certified and believes that every veterinary visit can be enjoyable with the right amount of patience and kindness (and tasty treats)!

Dr. DeLeon really enjoys practicing small animal medicine and promoting the human-animal bond through excellent client education and communication. She takes pride in fostering strong relationships with her clients, ensuring that they feel informed and empowered in their pets' health journeys. Her main areas of interest include preventative care, soft tissue surgery, and internal medicine. She embraces an integrative approach to treatments and firmly stands by the fact that each animal is its own individual, and treatments should not be “one size fits all.” She also believes in a collaborative approach to veterinary care, working closely with pet owners to develop tailored health plans that promote the well-being of their beloved companions.

When Dr. DeLeon isn’t looking after the furry members of your family, you can find her enjoying the great outdoors, spending hours thrifting to add to her vintage sweater and antiques collection, and spending time with her loving fiancé and their boisterous beagle, Walker.

Dr. Douglas Connington joined Ridgecrest Animal Hospital in March 2025, bringing with him over 15 years of experience in veterinary medicine. A proud graduate of Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, he earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2009.

Dr. Connington’s journey in the veterinary industry began in high school working in a kennel, followed by summers as a veterinary assistant during college. During this time, he also assisted his parents in breeding and showing boxers in AKC confirmation shows. Since then, he has served in a variety of leadership roles including Associate DVM, Chief of Staff, Multi-Unit Chief of Staff, Medical Director, and has provided relief work across several practices.

What Dr. Connington loves most about veterinary medicine is the opportunity to build lasting, meaningful relationships with clients and their pets. He believes strongly in the power of education and takes a personalized approach to care—tailoring his recommendations to each individual pet based on their lifestyle, breed, and specific risk factors. His goal is always to empower pet owners to make informed decisions while providing high-quality, compassionate care.

His clinical interests include wellness medicine, anesthesia, surgery, and dentistry. Beyond his medical expertise, Dr. Connington is passionate about mentoring team members and fostering a collaborative, growth-oriented hospital culture. He believes that strong leadership and open communication are key to building successful veterinary teams and delivering the best possible care to patients.

Outside of the hospital, Dr. Connington enjoys staying active with hobbies like golf, woodworking, and bowling. He also values downtime at home with his sphynx cat and boxer, who keep him on his toes and provide plenty of entertainment. Whether he’s perfecting his short game or tackling a new DIY project, he brings the same attention to detail and dedication that he offers in his veterinary work.