Where did you grow up?

In the Suburbs of Chicago

What made you decide to become a Veterinarian?

My father is a veterinarian, so I basically grew up in an animal hospital.  Pets in our house were all treated as family members, so I’ve always valued the human-animal bond.

If you weren’t a Veterinarian, what would you be doing?

I would probably have become a physician, but I wouldn’t be as happy!

What was your most rewarding moment as a Veterinarian?

The feeling of truly saving a life is beyond compare.  I can’t pick just one moment, but removing corn cobs or toys from dogs and cats intestines, finding and removing a tumor, or even diagnosing and treating a rare disease all rank highly.

What is the most common mistake you see pet owners make, and what advice would you give them?

Overfeeding pets in general, but especially what to feed cats.  A canned food diet is actually more appropriate for cats than dry food.

What do you do in your spare time?

Well in the past, I’ve enjoyed movies, books, racing cars, and working on cars, but in the very near future my spare time will be spent raising an infant daughter.

What pets do you own?

1 dog, (Cleo, with many medical problems), and 7 cats (Python, Pooh, Inky, Potter, Mr. Pants, Petunia, and Tulip).  Sounds crazy, but the cats are easier to take care of than the dog.

What is your favorite vacation spot?

Kauai, Hawaii.