When Dr. Susan Cropper travels, she likes to bring home a souvenir to remember the place and her experiences.
In the 1980s, when she visited China, she didn't bring home a silk scarf or a refrigerator magnet. Instead, she chose a 350 pound terracotta statue after visiting the Terracotta Army, a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China.
"I went into a gift shop and they had a replica of one of the army generals, but the price tag was $1,800," recalls Susan. "The shop keeper asked what I would pay and we agreed upon $650 and he paid for the shipping."
The "General" stands guard in the foyer of Susan's home and greets her visitors.
"I never named him. He's just the General," laughs Susan. "He typically wears a necklace I purchased during a trip I took to Papua New Guinea as well as sunglasses and a hat."
As you may surmise, Susan has a wonderful sense of humor.
"I love to laugh and have fun," said Susan.
A Career Built on Compassion
Her warm personality and kindness extends to the animals she cares for as owner of Cropper Veterinary Services.
"Initially, I worked with a local veterinarian but decided to open my own practice," said Susan. "It's a mobile practice and I come to your home and treat your pet."
Susan has been caring for animals since graduating from Kansas State University School of Veterinary Medicine.
"When I was 5-years-old I said I wanted to be a vet," said Susan. "I had hoped to go to Cornell University Veterinary School but at that time they did not admit women, even into pre-vet."
Susan was just one of three women in a class of 70 students at Kansas State University.
"Today, 85 percent of veterinarians are women," said Susan.
Susan began her career in Indiana where she cared for 11 horses, three raccoons, an armadillo, a bobcat, a skunk, and a squirrel monkey.
A graduate of Long Branch High School, Susan returned to her beloved Garden State and eventually settled in Wyckoff.
"I have lived in the same house since 1977," said Susan.
The house is decorated with masks that she has collected from around the world.
"I have them hanging on the walls in my living room, kitchen, den, and bathroom," said Susan. "I have labelled them all and eventually will donate them to a museum."
The house once included a 15ft by 25ft indoor pool.
"I enjoyed the pool for 30 years before deciding to tile the area," said Susan. "The plants that surrounded the pool are still thriving."
The repurposed space became "the" hive of entertaining.
"I would have 150 clients and friends attend parties there," said Susan.
One party was for her first Bernese Mountain dog, Crash.
"It was a birthday party and he had fun opening the presents," said Susan. "We donated three bags of toys to Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge."
Over the years, Susan has had five Bernese Mountain dogs and today owns two dogs, a 4-year-old, eight pound, Pomeranian named Zoom, and a 1 1/2-year-old, 80 pound, Lab/Hound/Cane Corso mix named Stuart.
Being a pet owner since the age of five, Susan has experienced the sadness of losing a beloved pet. She co-authored, with a psychologist, "Loving and Losing a Pet."
"We wanted to share our experience and wisdom with pet owners," said Susan. "It explores loving and losing a pet when they cross the rainbow bridge."
From Gorillas to Wildebeest: A Globe-Trotting Adventurer
Susan's love of animals has taken her around the globe.
In September, she traveled with three other female veterinarians to Uganda for a 13-day wildlife expedition.
"It was something to experience when we learned about how the doctors dart and then treat gorillas," said Susan. "There was a Silverback gorilla with a scar from his lip to his chest."
Other wildlife spotted on the trip included lions, leopards, golden monkeys, elephants and hippopotamus.
"We saw a chimpanzee sanctuary that was on an island and we threw food to the chimps" said Susan.
She has also visited other African nations such as Tanzania, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.
The adventuress has never gone skydiving, but she has experienced ballooning.
"I was up in the balloon and flying over the annual wildebeest migration," said Susan. "As far as the eye could see there were wildebeest."
Another memorable trip was to Thailand.
"One of my favorite trips was to an elephant sanctuary where a juvenile elephant wandered into the camp," said Susan. "There I was rolling around in the grass and playing with a 300 pound elephant."
Susan's love of animals also extends to those who live below the surface.
She has been a certified scuba diver for more than five decades.
"My first dive was a wreck off the coast of New Jersey," said Susan. "It was fascinating to see the mussels and crabs attached to bough of the ship."
Scuba diving destinations have included Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Belize, Honduras, Grand Cayman, and other islands of the Caribbean.
Susan describes diving like being "inside a kaleidoscope."
"It's like being in another world," said Susan. "The fish are so friendly and interested in us."
Susan calls the fish and critters she has seen "treasures."
"Diving is looking and not touching or taking items you encounter," said Susan.
"I am a member of the 'Old Broads Dive Club,'" laughs Susan. "We are a fun bunch of ladies who participate in four or five dives a year."
Red Hats, Racquetball, and the Joy of Living
Back on land, Susan has been an avid racquetball player for 30 years and has now transitioned over to pickleball.
Her vibrant and active life also includes gathering for laughs, meals, and field trips with the other women in the Red Hat Society.
"Our chapter is called the Hotsie-Totsie Red Hats and we have been meeting once a month for 15 years," said Susan. "We meet at a restaurant or someone's home. We have also met at a beadery and visited the Bergen County Horse Rescue in Mahwah."
The Red Hat Society asks members to wear purple clothing along with red hats.
"The goal is not to be serious and enjoy laughter and love," explains Susan.
Susan has collected dozens of red hats, including fascinators that she proudly displays on a horse rack.
She also enjoys movies and gets together with a group of women every Tuesday.
"We go to the Hawthorne Theater, as well as Westwood and the AMC," said Susan.
When not traveling the globe, caring for pets, and enjoying all that life has to offer, Susan enjoys her family.
"My daughter, Tracy, lives in California and is a nurse," said Susan. "My granddaughter, Faith, is a sophomore at UCLA."
What adventures does Susan have planned for 2026?
"I am going on a cruise with a high school friend from Clarkstown, Washington, to Portland, Oregon," said Susan. "I would love to dive again in the Red Sea."
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