Our Team
Our Veterinary Team at East Rockaway Veterinary Hospital
Meet the East Rockaway Veterinary Hospital Veterinarians and Staff! We are delighted to provide exceptional veterinary care for your pets!
Our Approach to Veterinary Care in East Rockaway, NY
The professional and courteous staff at The East Rockaway Veterinary Hospital seeks to provide the best possible medical care, surgical care, and dental care for their highly-valued patients. We are committed to promoting responsible pet ownership, preventative health care, and health-related educational opportunities for our clients.



Michele
Licensed Veterinary Technician

Cinthia
Receptionist

Nicole
Veterinary Technician

Cammie
Receptionist

Kathleen
Office Manager

Lauren
Assistant
Dr. Richard Selkowitz, DVM
Dr. Selkowitz is a native of Long Island and grew up in Huntington. He began working in the animal health care field in high school, caring for animals in the Animal Sciences Department at SUNY Farmingdale. He completed his undergraduate studies at SUNY Oswego, where he graduated with honors in 1994. He then gained admission to the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. He was one of four students from outside of the state of Texas to be admitted. While there, he received the Ben T. & Mattie Little scholarship for academic achievement. He graduated from veterinary college in 1998 and returned to Long Island.
He worked as an associate for 8 years in East Islip and Huntington Bay. During this time, Dr. Selkowitz also worked extensively as an emergency clinician at some of the largest veterinary hospitals in the area, including Long Island Veterinary Specialists, The Center for Specialized Veterinary Care, NY Specialty Center, and the Nassau Animal Emergency Clinic. In 2005 he took over the East Rockaway Veterinary Hospital from Dr. Theodorson. His special interests include surgery and advanced dentistry. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, New York State Veterinary Association, Long Island Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Dental Society. He currently lives in Garden City with his wife, two kids, and two canine children. Outside of work, he can generally be found at the UBS Arena rooting for the NY Islanders, riding his bike at Jones Beach, or taking classes at the Institute of Culinary Education.
Dr. Mary Xanthos, DVM
Dr. Xanthos was born and raised in New York City. Despite being a “city kid”, she quickly developed a deep love and compassion for animals and therefore knew she would dedicate her life to helping animals in need.
Dr. Xanthos received a bachelor of science degree from the NYS College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY, and a master’s of science degree from the Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University. She then went on to veterinary school, where she received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1998 from Cornell University.
Dr. Xanthos has built, owned, and operated two very successful animal hospitals in lower Manhattan, where she practiced small animal medicine and surgery with the highest standards for 22 years. She recently moved to Port Washington, where she now joins East Rockaway Veterinary Hospital and is greatly looking forward to meeting and serving the South Shore’s clients and fur kids.
When not working, Dr. Xanthos enjoys reading, hiking, going to church, listening to music, and spending time with her pets (3 rescue cats and 1 rescue dog) in the quiet of her home.