I graduated from Kansas State University (Manhattan, KS) in 1996 with my DVM. I spent most of my childhood years calling Olathe, KS my home. I first became interested in Veterinary Medicine while taking my first dog, Buffi, to the vet. I was known as the “child with no parents” as the veterinary office rarely saw my parents. At the age of 15, I landed my first job as an Animal Caretaker with that same veterinarian. I worked for him for a total of 6 years including Veterinary Assisting. After entering vet school, I helped with a research project on anesthesia recovery in horses as well as a receptionist at the Kansas State Vet School Teaching Hospital.

I met my husband, Russ Brewer, DVM at Kansas State University. We both graduated in 1996 and found there were 42 veterinary job positions open in the greater Chicago area. I started my career at Christianson Animal Hospital in Wilmette, IL followed by Harper Animal Hospital in Palatine, IL, finally coming to CARE when it opened in April of 2000. I also did relief work at AECCC in Northbrook, IL as an Emergency Veterinarian.

I thoroughly enjoy all aspects of Veterinary Medicine, but have found my true love in surgery. I enjoy both soft tissue surgery and especially orthopedics. I also help with the management of the clinic, human resources as well as financial aspects and marketing.

I currently am the proud owner of 4 Flat Coated Retrievers (Bixby, Jib, Cadbury, and Dizzy) which I continue to train in agility, obedience, and some field work. Two of them have Master Agility titles. Our house is also ruled by 2 cats, a dilute calico named Taffy and a brown tabby who we call Lollipop.

If the animals and clinic don’t keep me busy enough, our 2 elementary age children (Nathan and Emma) will. They keep us hopping for sure!

I enjoy helping out with several community service activities, mostly through our church.  In my spare time, I also enjoy scrap booking, bicycling, as well as outdoor activities with the kids.