Russell W. Fredericks was born and raised in Northport, New York. He graduated from Hartwick College in 1990 with a B.A. in biology. He then attended Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 1996 in the top 20 of his class. After graduating, he became licensed to practice veterinary medicine in both New York and Florida. He spent three years as an associate veterinarian in West Palm Beach, Florida, where his achievements enabled him to become medical director of two VCA-owned hospitals. In 1999, he returned to Northport to join his grandfather, Dr. Arthur W. Fredericks, and his father, Dr. Richard W. Fredericks, in their three-generation Cornell graduate veterinary practice. Over the past six years, he has expanded and taken over the existing practice as chief veterinarian. He continues to work and live in Northport with his family [citation].