Veterinarian Overview
What is your educational and veterinary medicine background? I have a BS in Animal Science and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine What made you decide to become a veterinarian? My decision to become a veterinarian was influenced by my father who was an inspiration to me in his love of animals and his medical expertise. What is your most memorable moment as a vet? I dont have one most memorable moment as I have so many memorable caretakers and patients, but if I had to pick, it would be learning for the first time how amazing nutrition can be in treating my own dog with nutrition response testing. I was amazed and shocked how well nutrition worked to resolve his incontinence and kidney infections. How did you come to join LePar Animal Hospital? I joined LePar through an old college Rugby friend that connected me to Dr. Whalen. My working interview was stitching up Dr. Whalens head during a rugby match. What are the best things you find about being a veterinarian? The best thing about veterinarian medicine is getting to observe the amazing ability animals have to touch peoples lives and make us all better for it. What is the most common problem you encounter in the pets you see? The most common problems I see are related to allergies the overacting of our pets immune system. I personally feel we are seeing more of this as a combination of generations of inbreed issues, nutritional deficiencies, and increasingly toxic environments. What was the most rewarding case you have had as a veterinarian? My most rewarding cases are those where caretakers feel they have exhausted all modes of healthcare with little resolution of their pets problem, only to find some nutritional supplements with change in diet and attention to the chemicals used in and around their pets brings about health. My favorite case specifically are getting pets off allergy shots and resolution or significant reduction in behavioral issues. What is the most unusual pet you have helped treat? The strangest animal I have ever treated was an orphaned baby giraffe named Igabod with a tick bourne disease. He began to see me as a surrogate parent and would follow me around the Wildlife preserve in my little golf cart as I did my rounds sticking his head through the roof and licking me with his long skinny blue tongue. What are your special interests in the field of veterinary medicine? Nutrition and dentistry are my two areas of special interest. I am blessed to work in a hospital that sees the value in using supplements to enhance the bodys ability to heal itself. I also am fortunate to have some amazingly talented staff members who make our advanced dental care possible. Because of those staff members, I can have dental xrays taken in a flash allowing me to better target my therapy for each patient and perform extractions with less oral trauma. Hopefully I am the dentist my patients want to see because of this fact. What are your favorite activities outside of treating pets? My favorite activities outside of work are gardening and getting into the mindset of a 3 and 5 year old as I play with my kids. When else can you get away with using a bouncy house slide as an adult? What is your biggest pet peeve? When asked what my pet peeves are
.. of course I have them, just not into sharing them. I prefer to forget I have them. Favorite place to eat? My favorite place to eat is at home. Dont have to worry about asking my 3 and 5 year old to keep their laughter down to not bother the next table. Favorite place to visit? My favorite place to visit is Chicago in the summer. You cant beat the parks, beaches, and amazing museums in the city! Favorite movie? When asked what my favorite movie is, I dont have one. I will embarrassingly admit I like romantic comedies and anything with Sandra Bullock in it. Favorite food? My favorite foods are raw fudge balls. What is your favorite sport? Rugby of course!
