Meet Our Veterinary Team in Palos Heights

Carrie joined the staff in July 1984, fulfilling a childhood dream of working with animals. She earned her Associate in Applied Science degree from Parkland College. With her more than 38 years in the field, she has many memorable experiences, including X-raying a baby lion with nutritional fractures in its legs. Her favorite part of working at Palos Animal Hospital is seeing a pet that she and the team have been treating for a long time enjoy a better quality of life. She also enjoys her ability to befriend nervous patients, making them feel less anxious about their visits. She and her husband, Rich, have three children, Rebecca, Chris, and Kyle; a son-in-law named Micah and a daughter-in-law named Jenny; and three grand-daughters. Her “four-legged children” include a mixed breed dog named Logan from Hoof Woof & Meow Rescue. In her spare time, she likes to read, spend time with family, and camp.

Cyndy joined our team in May 1996 after earning her associate degree from Parkland College. Being a veterinary technician enables her to combine her love for animals with her love for medicine, so she considers the position the best of both worlds. She also loves the variation in her schedule, especially her dental cases, and working with people who do their best to help pets down the road to wellness. Cyndy and her husband, John, have two children, Ben and Courtney. They also have a Labrador mix named Shilo, a schnoodle named Missy, and two cats named Grover and Buzz. In her spare time, she enjoys bicycling.

Lori has been with Palos Animal Hospital since April 1995. She started as a veterinary assistant. Then, she went on to become a certified veterinary technician after earning her associate degree in applied science from Parkland College. She has a special interest in clinical pathology. Growing up, she always wanted to work with animals and once even worked with lions and tigers at the University of Illinois while she was a student. As a CVT at Palos Animal Hospital, she enjoys working with her co-workers to care for various small animal companions. Lori and her husband, Bill, have two children. She also has a pit bull mix named Loki, a miniature schnauzer named Benson, an African clawed frog, and two goldfish. In her free time, she enjoys running, spending time with family and friends, and reading.

Sara always knew she wanted to work with animals. Though she originally wanted to be a zookeeper, seeing all the amazing things vet techs do inspired her to go to vet tech school. Sara has multiple degrees: an associate degree in science and biology; a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and zoology; and an associate of applied science degree in veterinary technology. She was also one of the top 5 vet tech students at her college! Here at Palos Animal Hospital, Sara’s favorite things are running labs and seeing happy owners after their pets have been helped. When she has free time, she enjoys playing video games, hanging out with her boyfriend, going for walks and bike rides, and watching dinosaur documentaries.

Andrea joined Palos Animal Hospital in August 2019, and we couldn’t be happier that she chose to be a part of our team. She graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a double major in criminal justice and psychology and received an associate degree in addiction from Moraine. Andrea loved animals since she was small and had all kinds growing up. She originally wanted to help people, but she realized that caring for animals was a better fit. Her favorite aspect of working at PAH is getting to form relationships with our patients, watching them grow, and seeing them bounce back after being sick. Andrea is eager to expand her knowledge and skillset and continue playing a role in making pets and their owners happy. She has two Boxers at home named Oliver and Ruca, and in her free time, she enjoys hiking with her dogs, reading, and going to concerts.

Natalee started working with us in June 2020. She is in the process of finishing the first year of her vet tech program at JJC. Her favorite aspect of working at PAH is seeing so many different dogs and cats, and building trusting relationships with our pet patients. Natalie has 3, siblings and 7 pets total: 3 dogs named Pumpkin, Winnie, and Lucy, and 4 cats named Merry, Trixy, EV, and Ollie. In her free time, she enjoys walking the dogs and cats, hanging out with her friends, and shopping.

Sherri has been with our team since June 2013. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a lifelong love for animals. Around the time she joined our practice, Sherri’s Dachshund, Rocky, became paralyzed. This solidified Sherri’s decision to become a veterinary technician and eventually start doing physical therapy. Seeing animals getting better with treatment is one of her favorite aspects of working at Palos Animal Hospital, along with getting to see her usual patients and their owners. Sherri has a diverse family of pets at home: Charlie, a Dachshund; Sam and Leroy, both cockatiels; Kiwi, a green-cheeked conure; Mushu, a bearded dragon; and Cocoa and Daytona, both yellow-bellied slider turtles. In her spare time, Sherri enjoys reading and traveling.

Sue started working at Palos Animal Hospital in 1998. She loves working with animals and that every day on the job is a new experience. She has two sons, Josh and Ethan, and shares her home with her partner, Tammy, and their two dogs, an Australian shepherd named Kody and an Australian shepherd mix named Ace. When she’s not at work, she enjoys playing softball, spending time with her sons, and attending her sons’ sporting events.

Char joined our team in June 1988 due to her love for animals, and has actually been a client of Palos Animal Hospital since she was 4 years old. She earned her associate in applied science degree and her associate of arts degree in English from Moraine Valley Community College. As the office manager, she especially loves interacting with the clients—some of whom are like family—and with their pets, many of which are patients for their entire lives. She also loves the diversity of the practice. Although it’s hectic at times, it’s never boring, and no two days are the same. She has a special love for dachshunds and German shepherds. Char has two dogs, Buddy and Daisy, both Chihuahua/Terrier mixes. Buddy came from a high-kill shelter in Texas, and Daisy was given up by her family and ended up in a Texas foster home. Both dogs were transported to a rescue in Indiana, from which Char adopted them in 2021. Both are amazing and loving dogs with huge personalities. In her free time, Char enjoys reading, walking the dogs, and spending time with her friends. If given the financial opportunity, she would open a facility where senior citizens can receive the care they need without having to give up their pets.

Alyssa has been helping us care for our patients since August 2021. She loves meeting all the different dogs and cats that visit our hospital, and helping our patients feel happy and relaxed. Alyssa shares her home with a Goldendoodle named Marley and a lizard called Shaniqua. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys hanging out with her friends, visiting her family, and shopping.

Candy joined the Palos team in early 2022. She grew up around animals, and hopes to become a veterinary technician or veterinarian in the not-so-distant future. She loves seeing different pets every day and learning new things in her job. Candy has a couple of four-legged family members at home: a Chihuahua named Coco, and a tabby cat named Chita. In her free time, she loves playing soccer, watching movies, and hanging out with her pets!

Dan is an alumnus of Saint Xavier University, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology. He always wanted to work with animals in some way, and at Palos Animal Hospital, he got his wish. His favorite part about working with us is getting to meet and help take care of so many different animals. Dan has 4 pets of his own: 1 dog named Maggie and 3 cats named Bruce, Selina and Murphy. His hobbies include reading, baking and cooking, building models, hiking, bird-watching, and watching movies.

Delaney has been with us since March 2021, and is currently majoring in pre-vet at Purdue University. Her childhood dream was to become a veterinarian, and she’s excited to be working at our practice to see what it’s like (and she loves it!). Delaney loves meeting all the animals who visit our hospital, and learning about all kinds of different health conditions and their causes. Some of her favorite tasks include holding the animals and doing ultrasound procedures. She also had the opportunity to assist one of our doctors with her own pet’s rhinoplasty and neuter procedure. Delaney has 4 pets: an Australian Cattle Dog named Gunner, a Chihuahua, a tabby cat named Indy, and a parrot named Pikachu who is older than Delaney herself! Outside of work, Delaney’s favorite activities include fishing, watching things on Netflix, and going to her lake house in Michigan.

Being in the veterinary profession feels right to Jaycie. She joined our team in August 2022, and is a natural at reading animals and interacting with them so they feel more at ease. She has 3 kittens, Chunkers, Mavis, and Nova, and 4 adult cats named Zoey, Snuffles, Shiva, and Xena B. When she’s not working, Jaycie enjoys going for walks and sitting outside with a book and a hot cup of coffee.

The reason why I got into working at Palos animal hospital is because I always wanted to help animals out one way or another since I was a little kid. I have 2 pets at home (a dog named Milo and my bunny named Floppy). Floppy is going to be 3 years old soon. In my free time I like to watch tv or play with Floppy.

Lauryn came to PAH in October 2019. She has an associate degree and is currently working on getting her BA in philosophy. Lauryn once had a dog named Rock (whom she used to bring to work) who gave her so much joy. She felt that the joy she got from animals could and should be reciprocated, and this solidified her decision to work around animals! One of Lauryn’s favorite aspects of working at PAH is getting to see many new faces and having new experiences every day.

Taylor became a valued member of our team in August 2021. She is currently attending school to obtain her associate degree in veterinary technology. She loves taking care of the dogs here at Palos Animal Hospital and keeping them happy and healthy. Taylor has a canine family member of her own at home, a Dachshund named Adella.

Laura has been with Palos Animal Hospital since October 2019. She has been in animal care for over 23 years.  She has 2 adorable dogs- Leona a boxer, and Daisy May a pit/lab mix. In her free time she loves to listen to music, read, and spend time with her family.

Mary Ellen joined our hospital in April 2021. She has a well-rounded family of dogs and cats at home: There’s Leo, a Great Pyrenees, Molly, a Pointer, Gus, a French Bulldog, and four cats named Newt, Scorpio, Minnie, and Goose. Along with caring for her pets at home, she loves getting to see all our adorable patients every day!

Since 2020, Olivia has been a wonderful addition to our team. She’s currently enrolled at Ashworth College, where she is pursuing her vet tech degree. Previously, Olivia worked with an animal rescue, and it was one of the most rewarding jobs she has ever had. It made her realize she wanted to dedicate her life to helping animals. Olivia loves meeting people and their pets here at PAH, and seeing the happiness on a person’s face when they are told their pet is going to be okay. She has 3 pets of her own: a Pit Bull named Lucy and 2 cats, Wicca and Voodoo. Voodoo is a polydactyl cat, which means she has extra toes. In total, she has 26 toes—that’s 8 more than the average cat! When she isn’t at the practice, Olivia enjoys listening to music, going to concerts, and hiking and enjoying the outdoors.

Rachel has been working at Palos Animal Hospital since January 2, 2022. She has 3 dogs and a cat. Lacy the cheagle, Charlie a hound mix, Chance a pyrenees mix and Skittles the cat. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, reading and buying cheese. She also loves Nicolas Cage.