Meet Our Expert Veterinarians at
The Bird and Exotic Hospital
At The Bird and Exotic Hospital, we are proud to have a team of experts dedicated to providing exceptional care to your beloved pets. Meet two of our veterinarians with over 40 years of combined experience working with birds, reptiles, and exotic mammals: Dr. Romo and Dr. Rolfe.
Octavio Romo, DVM
Born and raised in Mexico, Dr Romo graduated Cum Laude from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the only school in Latinamerica accredited by the AVMA. He moved to Florida in 2014, where did housecalls for birds and exotics for a couple years, before moving to Northern Virginia for an internship and avian focused residency under Dr. Scott Stahl’s mentorship, at one of the busiest exotic exclusive hospitals in the USA. He is currently working on his board certification on avian medicine but also has a big passion for all reptiles and mammals.
Dr. Romo and his wife Freda took ownership of The Bird and Exotic Hospital in April of 2022, and have been working hard to continue the legacy that our beloved hospital has had since its inception, bringing the most up-to-date medicine for all kinds of non domestic pets.
Dr. Romo has a passion for rock climbing, reading fiction and watching anime. Besides Freda he shares their home with their two dogs, two cats, a leopard gecko, a ball python, an axolotl and Harvey their cherry-headed conure (pictured).
Octavio Romo, DVM
Born and raised in Mexico, Dr Romo graduated Cum Laude from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the only school in Latinamerica accredited by the AVMA. He moved to Florida in 2014, where did housecalls for birds and exotics for a couple years, before moving to Northern Virginia for an internship and avian focused residency under Dr. Scott Stahl’s mentorship, at one of the busiest exotic exclusive hospitals in the USA. He is currently working on his board certification on avian medicine but also has a big passion for all reptiles and mammals.
Dr. Romo and his wife Freda took ownership of The Bird and Exotic Hospital in April of 2022, and have been working hard to continue the legacy that our beloved hospital has had since its inception, bringing the most up-to-date medicine for all kinds of non domestic pets.
Dr. Romo has a passion for rock climbing, reading fiction and watching anime. Besides Freda he shares their home with their two dogs, two cats, a leopard gecko, a ball python, an axolotl and Harvey their cherry-headed conure (pictured).
Vanessa Rolfe, DVM ABVP (Avian)
Dr. Rolfe grew up with a love of all things in nature from her botanical artisan parents, and graduated from the veterinary school Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. She owned an exotic pet practice first in Blacksburg and then Salem, VA until 2004 when moved to Florida and took over “The Bird Hospital” from retiring, esteemed colleague Dr. Greg Harrison, expanding it to become “The Bird & Exotic Hospital”. She became board certified in avian practice (ABVP) over 10 years ago. In April 2022 she turned over ownership of the practice and has been able to spend more time with her family: Bob and parrots Tesla and Jake.
Dr. Chani Rue, DVM
Dr. Chani Rue was raised in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. She completed a Bachelor’s degree in Science from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi and earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida. After graduating, she completed a small animal internship at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Clearwater, Florida. Now, she continues to work towards her passion in exotic animal medicine with an internship here at TBEH and hopes to contribute to wildlife conservation. Dr. Rue has an adorable cat named Ravyn and likes trying new restaurants and breweries, especially places with live music. She enjoys life on the coast and visits local beaches as often as she can.
