I graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. With Dr. Fox, we started Burnham Park Animal Hospital in 1994. I am a past president of the Chicago Veterinary Medical and Illinois State Veterinary Medical Associations, and currently serve as the liaison to the students at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine for the American Animal Hospital Association. Where did you grow up? I gew up in Madison Wisconsin, but spent most of my adult life in Bensenville, Illinois. What made you decide to become a Veterinarian? My father graduated with a degree in zoology so I was always exposed to animals, I think it was in Junior high school that I made the decision to become a Veterinarian, At that time, I didn’t realize the difficult road that lied ahead, the other 3 or 4 classmates in Junior High that wanted to be Veterinarians and many of the people I met in undergraduate school that also shared the same desire ended up doing other things. I think I was the first ever Veterinarian to come out of my high school that had graduating classes of about 400 people. I was also nominated to my high school’s wall of fame in 2003 for my perseverance to become a Veterinarian.
If you weren’t a Veterinarian, what would you be doing? If I could hit the ball better, and didn’t lose so many balls, I would like to have been a professional golfer. But shooting in the 90’s ain’t going to be paying too many bills. The other thing I think I would have been doing would own a restaurant or be working in the restaurant business. I love to cook for lots of people at a time.
What was your most rewarding moment as a Veterinarian? There have been many cases where I was able to save an animal or correct a painful orthopedic condition or figured out a strange disease, but I think the most rewarding thing I do may also be one of the most difficult things I have to do. I think I’ve developed a great compassion and ability to help pet owners through the decision and procedure of letting their loved one go. It is a very emotional time and I feel that I convey my understanding and sympathy well.
What is the most common mistake you see pet owners make, and what advice would you give them? By being situated in downtown Chicago, we unfortunately see too many overweight dogs and cats. Overweight cats are more likely to develop diabetes and overweight dogs tend to have more problems with their hips and knees.
What do you do in your spare time? I enjoying traveling, especially weekend trips to golf places like Hilton Head, Phoenix, Southern California and Sheboygan Wisconsin. I also attempt to play Texas Hold-Em, but there again I’m not good enough to get rich, or even stay ahead, off of my card skills. My poker buddies often refer to me as "dead money."
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