Our family caring for your family.

At Animal Medical Center of Chicago, our team mission is to compassionately deliver excellent medical and surgical care to every patient every day in a fear-free, friendly environment.

Our family caring for your family.

At Animal Medical Center of Chicago, our team mission is to compassionately deliver excellent medical and surgical care to every patient every day in a fear-free, friendly environment.

certified

As a Fear Free Certified Practice, our entire team is committed to preventing and alleviating fear, anxiety, and stress in pets. Learn more at fearfreepets.com.

Veterinarians

Donna Solomon, DVM

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Pamela Janik, DVM

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Meg Ogishi, DVM

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Tim England, DVM

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Elaine Simpson, DVM

Claire Behnke, DVM

Ashley Forti, BVMS MRCVS

Practice Manager

Eric, MBA, CVT, VTS

Practice Financial Manager

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Debbie

Certified Veterinary Technicians

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Emily, CVT

Erin, CVT

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Jessica, CVT

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Michele, CVT

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Natalie, CVT

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Melissa, CVT

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Mary, CVT

Veterinary Assistants

Forrest

Jesus

Jo

Fabiola

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Kaitlyn

Sabrina

Christopher

Care Coordinators

Florence

Kayla

Tiffany

Oriana

William

Tiffany

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Sandra

Jason

Experience the difference… schedule your appointment today!

Donna Solomon, DVM

Veterinarian
Michigan State University, ’86

I always knew I wanted to be a veterinarian. In first grade, I would bring home dogs and cats that I believed to be homeless. Fortunately, my older sister would later return them to their rightful homes. As a teenager, I spent my summers shadowing a large animal veterinarian on farm rounds in Petoskey, Michigan. In the winters, I would volunteer at a local animal shelter and give baths to dogs awaiting adoption. In high school, I worked as a veterinarian’s assistant at a local veterinary clinic in Southfield, Michigan. Fortunately, during my third year of undergraduate education, I was accepted to Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. In 1986, I graduated and have loved practicing veterinary medicine every day since.

My first job as a small animal veterinarian was in Farmingdale, New York.  I loved living in New York, but I knew in my heart that it would never be a place I’d call home. In 1997, I moved to Chicago and knew instantly that I would make this city my home. I joined a fast paced, high quality clinic and polished and honed my skills.  In May 1990, I realized my second dream and opened my own practice – the Animal Medical Center of Chicago. I renovated a Victorian home in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago and turned it into a modern veterinary clinic. In 2004,  I expanded the facility adding state-of-the art amenities to accommodate the growing practice.

Although it’s been over three decades since I graduated from veterinary school, I continue to  enjoy learning daily, caring for pets, and interacting with clients.   If you ask my clients what makes me special as a veterinarian, I believe that they would say I have great intuition and am their pet’s best advocate for good health.  I believe what makes me special is my ability to listen closely to  my clients, gather important findings from a comprehensive physical examination, and then, strategically formulate a  diagnostic and treatment plan. If I have any questions or unsure of what to do, I do not hesitate to ask or involve a specialist. I’m a great captain of your pet’s health team. 

My professional areas of interest span preventative care, pain management, internal medicine, soft tissue surgery and dentistry. Client education is also a passion of mine and I strongly believe it does not end in the examination room. I make myself readily available to my clients for telephone updates and consultations. Over the years, I’ve written numerous pet-related blogs and articles to help educate pet parents nationwide. I believe an educated pet client is the best pet parent. 

For over 35 years, I’ve been married to Brad Ginn, an Ombuds at Argonne National Research Laboratory. We have 2 adult sons, Jacob and Sam. My best friend and shadow is a 6-year-old Bernedoodle, named Clara and I eagerly anticipate adopting 2 cats shortly to complete our home. 

I wholeheartedly agree with the saying that  “time flies when you are having fun”. It’s been an unbelievable fast 34 years since I opened Animal Medical Center of Chicago.  I have been exceedingly fortunate that my dreams of becoming a veterinarian and owning my own practice have come true. I am humbled and grateful to be working with so many truly amazing and talented people at AMCOC, and am honored by the loyal pet-loving clientele who have entrusted me in their care.

I truly love caring for dogs and cats every day. I  look forward to helping you and your pet. 

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Pamela Janik, DVM

Veterinarian
University of Illinois, ’91

Dr. Janik was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago and has been involved in veterinary medicine her entire life. Her father is a retired veterinarian so she has always been surrounded by a variety of animals and their caregivers.

She graduated from Miami University before attending veterinary school at the University of Illinois. She worked at a small animal hospital in the suburbs prior to moving into the city and beginning work at Animal Medical Center of Chicago. Dr. Janik enjoys working with senior and geriatric patients and is very interested in pain management. She has been at Animal Medical Center since 1999.

When not working, she enjoys trying new restaurants, reading and outdoor activities. She explores Chicago’s neighborhoods with her dog Tesla whose hobbies include barking at people and taking over the bed.

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Meg Ogishi, DVM

Veterinarian
University of Wisconsin-Madison, ’90

From a very young age Dr. Meg Ogishi knew she wanted to work with animals and become a veterinarian. Growing up in Greendale, Wisconsin, she would find baby bunnies to care for, and was always searching for toads and snakes to play with. She also had a parakeet, fish, rabbit, and an ill behaved Cocker Spaniel named Don. She has no idea why she chose that name! Meg truly enjoyed taking AP biology her senior year in high school, and this experience made her dream of becoming a veterinarian seem realistic.

Meg obtained a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1996. During her undergraduate studies she was a ski instructor for the ski club, volunteered in the wildlife department of the Milwaukee humane society and also cleaned kennels and large animal stalls at the UW Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. She even kept a hamster in her dorm room closet her freshman year of college, much to the chagrin of her roommate. During veterinary school, she worked as an operating room assistant/technician in both large and small animal surgery. She graduated from University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine with Phi Zeta honors in May of 2000. Meg worked at Carlson Animal Hospital in Oak Park, Illinois immediately after graduation, and continued to work there until September of 2012, when she joined the Animal Medical Center of Chicago team. She loves working in the city, and being a part of such a talented and caring team.

When she’s not at work, Meg enjoys hiking, snowboarding, running, reading and has recently taken up sprint distance triathlons. Meg and her husband Ryan live in the Andersonville neighborhood. They have a 5 year old daughter named Naomi, who loves cats and plans to become a cat doctor. Meg and Naomi volunteer together at Tree House cat shelter. Their household also includes Abigail a 14 year old red Doberman, Sheneh an 8 year old Pitbull mix, Pig a 9 year old cat, Sophie a 1 year old aquatic turtle, a beta fish and 2 chickens.

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Tim England, DVM

Veterinarian
Michigan State University, ’87

I was born in a rural area outside of a very small town in southern Michigan. My parents still live in the same home near Parma where I was raised. We had dogs, cats, hamsters, fish, rabbits, geese, ducks and assorted chickens during my childhood. I have always been fascinated by animals and loved learning everything I could about pets and wildlife. I can remember watching Wild Kingdom and documentaries on animals from a very young age. The idea of becoming a veterinarian was very appealing to me as a young child, but was tempered by my aversion to blood and body secretions. Luckily, I outgrew that by high school when I decided to attend Michigan State University with the goal to attend veterinary school.

During my pre-veterinary coursework at MSU, I majored in Physiology and Fisheries & Wildlife. Through hard work and study, I was accepted into the veterinary program in my third year of undergrad. I received a bachelor degree in Veterinary Medicine from Michigan State University in 1987 and my doctorate degree in 1989. During my time at MSU, I realized that exotic pets were not receiving the same level of medical care as conventional pets like dogs and cats. I was lucky enough to participate in an externship in Miami, Florida which allowed me to learn skills in the care of unconventional pets and zoo animals. I had patients there which included leopards, monkeys, crocodiles, and many species of parrots.

My first years of practice were spent in Jackson, Michigan. Initially, I worked at a small animal practice which allowed me to continue to see exotic pets, as well as, dogs and cats. In 1992, I started my own practice in Jackson and three years later designed and oversaw the construction of a new veterinary hospital. Our success allowed the hospital to quickly expand to a three doctor practice to care for our growing number of patients. In 2008, I sold the practice and joined the team at Animal Medical Center of Chicago.

Since joining this practice I have continued to enjoy treating dogs, cats and some exotic pets. I have a developed an interest in veterinary dentistry after having the opportunity to learn from Dr. Cindy Charlier, a board certified veterinary dentist. I also have an interest in nutrition and prevention of pet obesity. I am a member of many veterinary associations, both locally and nationally. I currently serve on the Animal Welfare Committee of the Association of Avian Veterinarians.

Outside of work I have multiple interests, including international travel, photography, and eating good food. My partner and I have a small farm in Southwest Michigan where we grow fruits, vegetables, and bees for honey production. We share our home with a French bulldog named Gladys, as well as, two senior citizen parrots, Griffin & Gator. We also have a cat, Sprout and a koi pond at our home in Michigan. I enjoy working at AMC because of the commitment to quality and the expectation of our clients to provide the best care for their pets.

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Elaine Simpson, DVM

Veterinarian
The Ohio State University, ’14

Since childhood, Dr. Elaine Simpson has had a passion for animals. Growing up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, she spent time at Busse Wood: canoeing, fishing, and searching for wildlife. She even created a small pond in her backyard for the fish she caught – ultimately deciding it was best for them to go back and live in the wild.

Dr. Simpson obtained a Bachelor of Art in Biology from Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, Ohio) in 2010. Not only focused on her studies, Dr. Simpson ran cross country and track. She ultimately achieved All-American status at the national cross country meet in 2009. Dr. Simpson went on to study Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University, graduating magna cum laude in 2014. After graduation, she participated in a veterinary internship at Colorado State University which furthered her knowledge in internal medicine and emergency medicine. During this internship, she rescued and adopted a homeless pitbull-mix with fractured hindlegs. Lentil, who is now 3 years old, has become a wonderful city dog!

After Colorado State University, Dr. Simpson returned to the Chicagoland area where she worked at Countryside Veterinary Center, as both a general practice and an emergency medicine veterinarian. Her favorite parts of veterinary medicine are internal medicine, feline medicine, and cardiology. She also loves developing long term relationships with owners and their pets.

During her free time, Dr. Simpson loves to spend time outdoors, gardening, and with her family and friends. She also loves eating at new restaurants! In addition to Lentil, Dr. Simpson shares her home with a 7-year-old orange tabby cat, named Finn, who can be quite sassy!

Dr. Simpson joined the AMC team in 2017 and is excited to be practicing with such a dedicated and caring group.

Dr. Claire Behnke, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Claire Behnke grew up in the Chicago Northwest Suburbs of Arlington Heights. She received her Bachelor of the Arts from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois and then, her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana.
 
Prior to joining Animal Medical Center of Chicago, Dr. Behnke has worked at veterinary clinics in Chicago’s Northwest side and western suburbs. 
 
Dr. Behnke’s passions include dermatology, endocrinology, and dentistry.  She is a member of the AVMA, ISVMA, and CVMA. 
 
In her free time, Dr. Behnke enjoys volunteering with the Chicago Medical Reserve Corps. When not at work, she loves being outdoors tending to her small garden or biking, hiking and trail running with friends. Dr. Behnke and her fiancé Matt share their home with a talkative Calico cat, named Lexi, and super-sniffer Hound mix, named Lando.

Ashley M. Forti, BVMS MRCVS

Veterinarian

Dr. Ashley M. Forti hails from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, specifically Prairie Grove. She completed her undergraduate studies in Animal Science: Pre-Veterinary Medicine at the University of New Hampshire before pursuing her veterinary education. Graduating with Commendation from the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery in 2015, Dr. Forti then honed her skills through a comprehensive rotating internship at a prominent emergency and referral hospital in upstate New York. 

Now a dedicated small animal veterinarian in Chicago, Dr. Forti is deeply committed to improving the lives of pets and their families. While she possesses a particular interest in soft tissue surgery, pain management, and preventative care, her dedication extends beyond the confines of the operating room. Dr. Forti prioritizes cultivating enduring relationships with her clients, empowering them with the knowledge and tools necessary to ensure the optimal well-being of their cherished animal companions.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Dr. Forti shares her home with her British husband, Mike, and their two rescue pets: Dennis, a spirited mutt, and Boris, a Russian tortoise. They reside in West Town and embrace an active lifestyle, enjoying cycling throughout the city, discovering new vegan eateries, attending live rock concerts, and spending quality time with loved ones. Their shared passion for travel also takes them around the globe.

Driven by her unwavering commitment to animal welfare, Dr. Forti epitomizes warmth and professionalism within the veterinary community. Her practice is characterized by compassionate care, expertise, and a gentle touch in every interaction. Excited to embark on this new chapter, Dr. Forti eagerly joins the team at the Animal Medical Center of Chicago, poised to make a significant impact in the lives of both pets and their devoted owners.

Eric, MBA, CVT, VTS

Practice Manager

My first job in the veterinary field was in a one doctor small animal general practice in 2007. While I was always drawn to animals and science, it was at this veterinary hospital where I discovered my passion for veterinary nursing. Soon after, I obtained a job as an emergency veterinary assistant at the Chicago Veterinary Emergency Services while also enrolled in the veterinary technology program at Fox College in Tinley park, IL. In 2009, I graduated with an AAS in veterinary technology and obtained my CVT license.

Shortly after graduating, I moved to Yonkers, NY, where I worked as an anesthesia technician in the surgery department at the Animal Specialty Center and was also enrolled in the veterinary technology program at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY. I graduated in 2011 with a BS in veterinary technology. I became an instructor for Westchester Community College’s veterinary technology program in Valhalla, NY teaching courses in surgery, anesthesia, and an externship review class. In 2013, I returned to Chicago to attend graduate school at Roosevelt University and to work as a surgery technician supervisor at the Chicago Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center. I earned my veterinary technician specialty (VTS) certification in anesthesia and analgesia and also my MBA in 2014. In 2015, I began my PhD studies in organizational leadership at Concordia University in Chicago.

My aspirations to learn and to further my knowledge led me to accept the position as the Small Animal Surgery Technologist Supervisor at Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital where I worked from 2015 to 2019. During my time at Purdue, I completed the requirements and became a VTS in surgery in 2019. I moved back to Chicago in 2019 and began working as an adjunct instructor at the veterinary technology program at Joliet Junior College and also as a surgery technician at MedVet Chicago. I am in my last phase of my PhD studies and hope to complete my degree by 2023. Destiny has now brought me to the Animal Medical Center of Chicago. I am beyond excited to continue to learn and grow as I continue my veterinary journey alongside this incredible team!
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Debbie

Practice Financial Manager

Joined AMC: September 5, 2006

What I like best about AMC: As I have been working here since the dawn of time, I really feel like I know many of our clients and patients quite well. It is always nice to see friendly faces!

Favorite AMC Memories: Thanks to Dr. Solomon for providing me with my cat, Tab, who provides me with hours of entertainment and fresh wounds on a daily basis. He is the greatest.

Greatest Life Accomplishment(s): A finely tuned sense of humor. Seriously, this took ages.

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Emily, CVT

Technician

Emily is thrilled to be a part of the AMCOC team and looks forward to getting to know all the fabulous clients and patients. Although she has a degree in Fiction Writing from Columbia College in Chicago, she realized working with animals was her true calling. Emily attended the Veterinary Technician Program at Fox College Chicago and passed her boards in 2011. She shares her home with her husband, daughter, two dogs, and four cats. If she’s not vet tech-ing, she’s probably singing, riding her Peloton or both.

Erin, CVT

Technician
Michigan State University, ’08

Joined AMC: May 2014

What I like best about AMC: The wonderful doctors and staff that truly care for the animals and all of our great clients.

Favorite AMC Memories: Being able to care for and help the sick patients. I also really enjoy the new puppy and kitten visits!

Greatest Life Accomplishment(s): I am extremely proud of my education and the career that I chose. While there are hard days, most are very fulfilling and I am glad I can spend my days taking care of animals.

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Jessica, CVT

Technician
Fox College, 2013

What I like best about AMC: Working with a wonderful staff that is very caring and welcoming.

Favorite AMC Memories: Getting to know all of our wonderful patients, I love when they come in so excited to greet us.

Greatest Life Accomplishment(s): Graduating from tech school and becoming a CVT. I love what I do each day and caring for our patients is a very rewarding feeling.

Michele, CVT

I started in the veterinary field in 2002 as a Care Coordinator at a three-doctor hospital in Palatine, where I lived. In 2005, I moved to Chicago and was a Care Coordinator at a general practice animal hospital. I loved interacting with the clients, but always dreamt of working closer with the animals and learning more about veterinary medicine – so I decided to become a veterinary technician. In 2014, I graduated from Vet Tech Institute at Fox College and became a certified veterinary technician in 2015. Since then I’ve had the pleasure of working in the field of veterinary medicine, learning daily, and in 2023, excitedly joined the AMCOC team!
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Natalie, CVT

Technician
Parkland College, ’05 and University of Mississippi, ’98

Joined AMC: June 2005 and November 2010

What I like best about AMC: Working with such a great group of smart, dedicated, motivated, and hard-working people. Also, our patients are absolutely our highest priority here.

Favorite AMC memory: When Tara’s fractious cat Simon was sedated, but still managed to slap me across the face so hard that it could be heard across the room!

Melissa, CVT

Technician

I began my veterinary technician journey in 2001, after graduating from Piece College in Washington State.  Shortly after, I relocated to Florida for a zoo veterinary technician position, in which I gained experience working on everything  from bears to crocodiles.   For the past ten years, my experience has been mostly in emergency and critical care.   Most recently, having worked at Purdue University Small Animal Hospital in West Lafayette, Indiana.   
 

I am looking  forward to meeting the patients and clients of Animal Medical Center Of Chicago, and excited to be part of the team!

 
I share my home with 3 dogs and 2 cats.  When I’m not working, I like to spend time in nature.   Hiking, backpacking, birding and looking for fossils are some of my favorite hobbies.

Mary CVT

Technician

I’m Mary, originally from York, PA. Animals have been my passion since childhood, growing up with cats, dogs, and horses. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Veterinary Medical Technology and a minor in Equine Reproduction from Wilson College, becoming a Certified Veterinary Technician in 2012.

My career started with horses, leading me to Australia for two equine breeding seasons before settling in Chicago in 2015. Initially working at a cat-only practice, which evolved into a dog and cat practice.

While I enjoy working with all animals, cats hold a special place in my heart. At home, I share my space with two lovely cats, Mr. Evil and Butternut Bisque.

Outside of work, I unwind by playing The Sims 4 and other video games, reading, and bowling. I am looking forward to the simple joys each day brings in the company of animals and the hobbies I love.

Forrest

Veterinary Assistant

In 2017, after graduating from Columbia College of Chicago in filmmaking, Forrest has been working with animals. Originally wanting to make nature documentaries, he decided to start a more hands-on career helping animals by working in daycares, rescues and animal hospitals. Despite being a pet whisperer, Forrest didn’t grow up with pets nor does he currently have one. One of his AMCOC daily goals is to treat every furry friend he encounters with love and care as if they were his own. In free time, he likes hiking, photography, listening to music, and game nights with friends. He is excited to be a part of  the AMCOC team, as they provide excellent care to their patients, and the crew is positive and friendly

Jesus

Veterinary Assistant

Jesus is a graduate from The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Animal Sciences. Beyond his education, he is an animal lover—from dogs to horses. His love for animals and the sciences developed as a child, caring for small birds and dogs at a very young age. His favorite experiences with animals include adopting his Labrador Retriever, Ethan, with the Champaign County Humane Society, and assisting in the rescue and care for his pet rabbit, Frida, with the Red Door Animal Shelter. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, cooking, caring for the planet, collecting vinyl records, volunteering at animal shelters, and above all, playing with his goofy dog. He feels extremely lucky to be able to share his love for animals and medicine with the amazing people and pets at AMCOC!

Jo

Veterinary Assistant

Jo is an animal lover, artist, and is passionate about science education. If she isn’t working on a new painting, photo project, or collaborating with other artists, you’ll find her out swimming in Lake Michigan or hiking a trail somewhere remote. Jo is a cat lover, with a special place in her heart for special needs and elderly kitties. She lives in Chicago with her partner and cat.
 
What I love most about being at AMCOC is playing with all of the adorable pets while I work.

Fabiola

Veterinary Assistant

Joined AMC: September of 2014

In 2014, I began my career at AMCOC as a receptionist. It was fun greeting clients and giving treats to pets.  In 2015, I transitioned to a veterinarian assistant. In this role, I learned how important it was to respect a patient’s body language. In 2019, I became Fear Free certified.  In 2021, I became the very first AMCOC Care Coordinator Facilitator where I now lead the Care Coordinator team in their delivery of excellent client service.  I am proud of my accomplishment at AMCOC and grateful for the many learning  opportunities it has provided me.

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Kaitlyn

Veterinary Assistant
University of Illinois at Chicago

Favorite AMC memory: Recruiting our patient Pammie to help out at the front desk one day before her procedure. While she wasn’t exactly the most efficient receptionist, she sure was the cutest.

What I like most about AMC: Meeting all the new and goofy puppies who haven’t grown into their floppy paws yet!

Greatest life accomplishment: Rescuing my best friend furever and love of my life, Penny, from the local pound.

Sabrina

Veterinary Assistant

Sabrina graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a degree in Biology and Chemistry with pre-veterinary concentration. Sabrina’s future goal is to go to vet school and become a veterinarian. Sabrina’s interests are skincare, nature walks, and of course animals!

Christopher Edwards

Veterinary Assistant

As a native of Chicago’s Southwest Side, I always had a knack for connecting with animals. As a child, I owned a variety of pets ranging from dogs and hamsters, to frogs and rats. Being a lifelong pet owner taught me the joys of pet ownership, but also the level of work and dedication needed to own a pet. After receiving my Bachelor’s of Arts in Media Studies from North Park University in 2018, my plan was to go off to graduate school in Montana and film nature documentaries. The birth of my son that same year changed the course of my plans. After working in pest control and a laboratory setting for a few years, I found my place in the world of veterinary medicine in 2022, working as a receptionist. It didn’t take me long before I realized that my skills and knowledge of pets would lead me to working in a more hands-on role. I joined AMCOC as an assistant at the end of 2023 with an open mind and eagerness to learn. When I am not working, I like to enjoy my time at home with my wife, two children, and five pets (two dogs and three rabbits) or filming in the woods for my YouTube channel.

Florence

Care Coordinator

Florence found her calling in the veterinary field after adopting her dog, Winnie. Although surrounded by animals her entire life, managing Winnie’s fear-based behavioral challenges motivated her to take a deep dive into better understanding animal behavior and physiology. She became fascinated with the wide array of knowledge and creativity that goes into animal care and wellbeing. Florence began her professional animal care journey volunteering at animal shelters throughout Oakland and San Francisco. After moving to Chicago, she began building her veterinary reception foundation by working at a small animal practice in River North area and then, later at Premier Veterinary Group Chicago.

Originally a client of AMCOC, Olivia was impressed by the atmosphere and genuine compassion of the staff. She kept her eye out nearly every day for a receptionist position to open up at AMCOC until one morning, it did! Olivia is excited to continue developing her veterinary care skills. She feels at home with AMCOC and fortunate to be part of this talented and caring team.

Originally from Connecticut, Olivia has also resided in New York, California, and of course, Illinois. Olivia’s background is in Dance and Performing Arts and Hatha Yoga with a focus on trauma sensitivity. She is continuously adapting and growing by learning new things. In her spare time, she likes to read, listen to her vinyls, bird watch, hike, camp, travel, swim, sleep and above all else, snuggle with Winnie!

Kayla

Care Coordinator

Kayla was born and raised in Chicago and has always loved animals. Early in her twenties, Kayla rescued her first stray cat off the streets of Chicago. This experience convinced her to pursue a new career path in the animal health care industry. Kayla’s journey into the veterinary field began working in an animal shelter caring for pets awaiting adoption. While she dabbled in other jobs over the years, her love for animals and desire to learn more about them has never faltered. Prior to joining AMCOC, she was a receptionist at another well-established veterinary hospital in Chicago. She is excited to apply the skills and knowledge that she has learned along the way to deliver exceptional care and service to the patients and clients at Animal Medical Center of Chicago. Helping pets live their best lives will always be a priority of hers!

Tiffany

Care Coordinator

Hi!

My name is Tiffany,

I love being around animals. As an adult, almost every job I’ve had included some aspect of pet care. I was a professional dog walker and a lead receptionist at another veterinary practice in Chicago. I’ve also volunteered at many local animal rescue groups, including PAWS Chicago.

I came to Animal Medical Center of Chicago for the small town feel with big city options, and have loved every minute of it! My favorite part of veterinary medicine is working with animals and learning something new every day. I also love interacting with our amazing clients and my fabulous coworkers.

In the future I hope to strive each day to live life to its fullest and own a farm. I would love to have a house filled with 20 dogs and cats along with a greenhouse filled with plants. In my free time, outside of playing and caring for my pets, I have a passion for antiquing and gardening. I also have a soft spot for James Dean movies and Luke Perry, which is why I named my 3 year old Shar pei mix after him. I can’t wait to meet you and your furry family member!

Hugs and kisses Tiffany

Oriana

Care Coordinator

Oriana is an extreme animal lover that considers all animals from dogs to stingrays as her “bestie”. She has over 5+ years of experience training cats and 2 years working as a receptionist at another veterinary practice in Chicago. Her love for animals began when she was only 6 years old when she received her first kitten.

She was born and raised in Brunswick, Georgia and later relocated to Virginia where she attended Virginia State University. At college, she was a 2x captain of the Essence of Troy dance team for the Trojan Explosion Marching Band and is a professional dancer. Oriana relocated to Chicago in 2019 and has been a resident ever since!

Greatest life accomplishment: Dancing in front of a crowd of 250,000 people at her first celebrity-booked performance in Chicago.

She is excited to be a new team player at AMCOC and looks forward to meeting you and your furry family member.

William

Care Coordinator

What I like best about AMC: I love getting to see how things work behind the scenes in animal care. All of the doctors here have so many stories about the patients they have interacted with and I cannot wait to hear them all. The entire staff is so talented at what they do that it’s truly an inspiration to constantly be better.
 
Favorite AMC memories:
My favorite AMC memory so far has been speaking with the team and finding out about how they have come to be here. There are so many people who have been here for years and that makes it a truly welcoming environment to be in.
 
Greatest life accomplishment:
My greatest life accomplishment has been rediscovering my love of animals. I previously got lost along the way and thought about going to law school but where is the fun in that?! I am now on track to go back to school for a masters degree in environmental science with the goal of working for the National Parks Service and helping manage policy for wildlife. That sounds like a way better way to spend my days!
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Sandra

Care Coordinator
North Park College

Joined AMC: August 2014, but I’ve been a client since 1991!

What I like best about AMC: Getting to meet so many awesome pets and getting to work with such smart, talented, and interesting people.

Favorite AMC Memories: Dressing up Dr. England’s dog, Gladys, for photos in different Halloween costumes was really fun. She’s a riot!

Greatest Life Accomplishment(s): What I consider an accomplishment changes from day to day, but I always get a lot of satisfaction from helping someone–person or dog–learn something new or figure something out. I also really like it when I take a great photograph that captures a pet’s personality.

Jason

 

My name is Jason. I have always been fascinated by animals, fantasy, and the closest thing in the real world to fantasy–science. Growing up, I was surrounded by a plethora of animals: from cockatiels and frogs, to snakes and dogs. I was born in Park Ridge, Illinois and spent most of my childhood in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago before moving to the Pilsen neighborhood at 18-years of age. I attended Harold Washington Community college with an original interest in medicine but decided to put that on hold, in order to pursue music and art. In my free time, I love to hang out with my two pugs, Obi and Padmé. I enjoy hiking, being outdoors, and learning more about off-grid living, upping my cooking skills, thrifting, obsessing over anything mid-century and spending time with my partner and family. I am *almost* always available to talk about anything nerdy – from magic to random animal facts. I strongly believe knowledge is infinite and that everyday you get the chance to be the best version of you.