Meet Our Support Staff
MANAGERS
Sarah, Certified Veterinary Technician, Practice Manager with Lamar and Lenore
Meet Sarah
Sarah is excited to be a part of the North Shore Family Pet team! She has been working in the veterinary field for over 15 years. Sarah began her career in shelters, and she has since worked in both general and specialty practices from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine. After completing her undergraduate degrees in History and Biological Sciences, she obtained her Veterinary Technician Certification from Madison, Wisconsin. During her free time, Sarah spoils her Chihuahua mixes, Lamar and Lenore, and her cat, Nia.
Sally, Certified Veterinary Technician, Assistant Manager with Martha
Meet Sally
Sally graduated in 2015 from the Veterinary Technician Institute at Fox College with an A.S. in Veterinary Technology. Sally is excited to put her small animal skills to use on a daily basis. At home, Sally has two dogs: Shady, a German Shepherd mix, as well as Martha, a Puggle who she rescued in 2013. Together, they like to go on walks, bike rides, and play fetch. During Sally’s free time, she likes to go on long bikes rides with her dad, running, cooking with her mother, and building memories with her siblings. Sally likes to travel and is looking forward to one day traveling to Paris, Hawaii, and Bora Bora. Sally is fluent in English and Spanish.
CLIENT SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES
Jillian, Client Service Representative with Miller
Meet Jillian
Jillian has worked in the veterinary field since 2000. She began her career at emergency and specialty ophthalmology centers. We welcome Jillian to her first veterinary general practice: North Shore Family Pet! When she is not at work Jillian enjoys spending time with her three sons: Brandon, Dylan, and Joey and her 4-legged kids, Turtle "Herbert", two cats "Gary" and a sweet cat "Luna" and an energetic, sociable Pitbull puppy named "Miller". As a big fan of the NFL, Jillian is always looking forward to the next season!
Emmy, Client Service Representative with Dazey and Diesel
Meet Emmy
Emmy is delighted to be part of the North Shore Family Pet team!Emmy has a passion for canine preventative care and behavior. She particularly enjoys observing interactions with humans. Perhaps Emmy will someday pursue dog training or a specialty certificate in canine behavior. Emmy has two adorable dogs, a sweet pitbull named Diesel and a darling American Staffordshire Terrier named Dazey. Both are rescued, and Dazey underwent successful training to become dog friendly and has become a productive member of canine society! Emmy left the country for the first time in 2018 for a trip to Mexico.
Gina, Client Service Representative with Rocco and TJ
Meet Gina
Gina started out in the veterinary field as a technician and has additional education in grooming and training. Gina is most interested in puppy training and breeding. What she loves the most about North Shore Family Pet is the level of care for the patients and clients. Her favorite hobbies are training and doing scent work with her dog Rocco. Her favorite food is her Mom’s Lasagna. Her dream vacation would be to travel to Hawaii one day. Gina has a whole zoo at home that includes 3 Doberman Pinschers: Rocco, Rita and Raylyn, Cats: Boo Boo, Jack, Leia, TJ and Jaspur, a tortoise, snake, 2 lizards, and 2 cockroaches!
Nancy, Client Service Representative with Grady
Meet Nancy
Nancy began her veterinary career as a technician before switching to full time client service representative. Nancy has a special interest in client education and senior patient care. When she is not at work, she loves to travel, preferably anywhere with white sandy beaches or Italy. Her favorite food is vanilla ice cream and she loves to read novels. Her favorite thing about NSFP is the way we go above and beyond for clients, and that the doctors are always willing to see “just one more pet”. Nancy has two cats named Chingy and Smithy, and a one-eyed Maltese mix named Grady.
Nicole, Client Service Representative, Veterinary Assistant with Tucker and Kaia
Meet Nicole
Meet Nicole! Nicole left the corporate world to follow her passion to work with animals- and we are so happy she did! Nicole joined NSFP in 2021 and exceeds clients’ expectations daily. She says NSFP really puts the ‘Fam’ in Family! Nicole is an avid adventurer and cyclist, and her two dogs, Tucker and Kaia, often join her on the trails and at the Lake. While Kaia chases balls and dock dives, Tucker sunbathes. When not burning calories outside, Nicole loves to enjoy a Lou Malnati’s pizza while watching the Chicago Blackhawks. Nicole plans to pursue her veterinary technician certification, and one day, explore Italy!
Kaitlyn, Client Service Representative, Social Media Coordinator with Dolly
Meet Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn joined the NSFP family May 2020 as an assistant, and we are so glad she did! She recently graduated from DePaul University as a Digital Marketing major and she’s hoping to combine her passions for business and helping animals into a career one day. Kaitlyn says her favorite aspect of NSFP is the love and respect displayed by her coworkers; everyone treats patients as if they are their own pets. In her spare time, Kaitlyn enjoys reading, photography, and traveling the world! She hopes to one day visit the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, and South Africa! Although she doesn't currently have any fur-babies of her own, Kaitlyn enjoys lots of snuggles with the awesome dogs and cats of NSFP!
CREDENTIALED VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS
Janina, Certified Veterinary Technician with Tux
Meet Janina
Janina is thrilled to be part of the North Shore Family Pet team! She has been working in the veterinary field since 2008. Janina graduated with honors from Chicago State University, earning a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She has a very handsome and zealous pit bull mix named Tux. Janina aspires to one day go on an African Safari!
Stephanie, Certified Veterinary Technician, CCRP with Jake
Meet Stephanie
Stephanie joined the NSFP family in 2014. She earned her CVT license in 2011, and her CCRP degree in 2017. Stephanie loves everything about veterinary medicine but has a special interest in senior patient care and emergency medicine. Her favorite thing about NSFP is the levels of compassion and skill exhibited by her coworkers and doctors. In her free time, she loves to draw and spend time with her two kids and husband. Stephanie loves traveling to Arizona and one day would like to travel to Europe. She has three dogs at home, Jake (Pitbull), Sarge (German Shepherd), and Bam (Bulldog/Pitbull mix).
Anna, Certified Veterinary Technician with Baby
Meet Anna
Anna started working in the veterinary field in 2014 as a kennel assistant. She graduated from the Colorado Academy of Veterinary Technology as a Certified Veterinary Technician in 2018. Her clinical hands-on experience has been with emergency and critical care medicine. In the future, she plans on obtaining a specialized degree in Emergency and Critical Care veterinary medicine. Anna and her family have a myriad of furry friends. Her cats are Nala, Cheshire, and Anubis. Her dogs are Duncan (rott/shepherd mix), Bella-Rae (blue heeler), and Nacho (pom-chi). In her spare time, Anna enjoys music, drawing, and fostering difficult animal cases.
Shirley, Veterinary Technician with Rattata and Gus Gus
Meet Shirley
Shirley was born and raised in Perú. She graduated from the Vet Tech Institute at Fox College in May, 2014. Over the years, Shirley has been volunteering and completing community hours at various animal hospitals. She has two rescued cats, Sizzle who loves to learn tricks and socialize, and Penny who is sweet but shy. Shirley and her husband welcomed baby girl, Emilia, to their family in 2016. Her dream vacation is to visit the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and learn to scuba dive with sharks. Shirley is excited and thankful to be part of the wonderful team at North Shore Family Pet! Shirley is fluent in English and Spanish.
Nicole, Certified Veterinary Technician with Fred and Ducky
Meet Nicole
Welcome (back) Nicole!
Nicole spent several years at NSFP before she relocated to California to expand upon her veterinary skills. When it was time to return to Chicago, we were lucky enough to have Nicole return to NSFP! She says she appreciates the encouraging atmosphere at NSFP. Nicole has her associate degrees in applied science and veterinary technology, as well as her CVT license. Her special interests include dentistry and imaging. When she is not helping save lives, Nicole enjoys creating art, cheering on the Blackhawks, and spending time with her 3 cats, 2 dogs, and 2 geckos. As an avid traveler, Nicole would love to visit Ukraine and Hawaii. Mahalo, Nicole!
Nicole spent several years at NSFP before she relocated to California to expand upon her veterinary skills. When it was time to return to Chicago, we were lucky enough to have Nicole return to NSFP! She says she appreciates the encouraging atmosphere at NSFP. Nicole has her associate degrees in applied science and veterinary technology, as well as her CVT license. Her special interests include dentistry and imaging. When she is not helping save lives, Nicole enjoys creating art, cheering on the Blackhawks, and spending time with her 3 cats, 2 dogs, and 2 geckos. As an avid traveler, Nicole would love to visit Ukraine and Hawaii. Mahalo, Nicole!
Carden, Certified Veterinary Assistant
Meet Carden
Carden has always had a soft spot for animals. In high school, he worked at an animal shelter. He is especially interested in kitten care and has fostered numerous litters. In 2021, he graduated from Animal Behavior College with a Veterinary Assistant Certification. Carden is a full-time middle school teacher who enjoys anything related to the outdoors. He would like to one day travel to the Smokey Mountains. His favorite food is steak. When Carden is not teaching, he is at North Shore Family Pet working hard and enjoying the patients. Carden has a Husky, Astro, a German Shepherd, Nahla, and two cats.
VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS
Nate, Veterinary Assistant with Weezer
Meet Nate
Nate and Dr. Bannow have been working together since 2008. Nate started working as a veterinary receptionist in 2004, and began training as a veterinary technician in 2007. Nate came to veterinary medicine after working ten years as a teacher’s assistant for special needs children. Although he enjoys working with all animals, Nate does admit to a fear of birds! On his time off, Nate plays with his spunky cat "Weezer", and is an avid reader and cinephile.
Francisco, Veterinary Assistant with Chum
Meet Francisco
Francisco was born in Guatemala. He has been happily working as a veterinary technician for more than 13 years. He is proud to be a part of the great family at North Shore Family Pet. He enjoys spending his free time with his three lovely girls: his wife, his daughter Emily, and his Pomeranian mix Ruby. Francisco also loves watching Spain’s soccer league; being a die-hard Barcelona and Argentina fan, he never misses a game! Francisco is fluent in English and Spanish.
John, Veterinary Assistant with Holly
Meet John
John joined the United States Army after high school and travelled the world. He states during all his adventures and experiences, his interactions with the clientele and pets of North Shore Family Pet Hospital have been the most rewarding. From a young age, John has felt drawn to animals, their training, and healthcare. After growing up with Great Danes, large breed dogs hold a special place in his heart. When he isn’t studying veterinary medicine, John is playing the card game Magic the Gathering, and following the Dallas Stars hockey team. John also enjoys travelling with his feisty Shar-pei, Holly.
Allie, Veterinary Assistant with Milo
Meet Allie
Allie has been working in the veterinary field since 2011, and she is very enthusiastic about working alongside the staff at North Shore Family Pet! Loving animals of all shapes and sizes, Allie has worked with not only cats and dogs but with exotic animals as well. Allie continues her veterinary education with special interests in oral hygiene, weight management and rehabilitation. At home, she has a Pomeranian named Charlie and three formerly feral cats, Milo, Ella & Barney; all of whom she loves dearly. In her spare time, Allie enjoys long hikes and adventures in the local forest preserves.
April, Veterinary Assistant with Mr. Tutu and Steven
Meet April
April joined NSFP in the summer of 2019 ! April has worked in veterinary medicine since 2015.She is particularly interested in surgical and anesthetic procedures, and also enjoys bonding with pets during outpatient appointments. In her free time, April enjoys drawing, painting, knitting, and gardening. Someday, April would love to go hiking in Ireland and Scotland. Currently, April has a smart little Yorkie named Mr. Tutu (named for the date he was adopted: August 22nd) and two cats: Steven and Garnet (both named for the cartoon Steve Universe). April is fluent in English and Korean.
Sophia, Veterinary Assistant with Trigger
Meet Sophia
Sophia always knew she wanted to work with children or animals. She has a special interest in internal medicine and partnered with internist Dr. Donna Spector for three years. Sophia is dedicated to client education and senior pet care, especially helping clients understand available treatment options for their pets. Sophia’s own fur-babies keep her very busy! She shares her home with two dogs Milo and Trigger, and three cats Emmie, Piper, and Archie. Sophia is fluent in English and American Sign Language (ASL).
Mariah, Veterinary Assistant
Meet Mariah
Mariah is currently enrolled in Penn Foster studying to be a Certified Veterinary Technician. North Shore Family Pet is her first job in the field and enjoys being part of the team! She’s known that she has wanted to work in the veterinary field since she was 16 years old and has a special interest in animal behavior/psychology. Her hobbies are dancing and roller skating, and she loves pasta and Chinese food. One day her goal is to travel outside of the country, specifically Egypt and Bali. While she doesn’t currently have any pets of her own, Mariah provides extra cuddles to all the cats while at work.
Megan, Veterinary Assistant with Elwood
Meet Megan
Megan is on an exciting journey to become a certified veterinary technician, fueled by her lifelong passion for animals and a deep appreciation for the educational side of veterinary care. At NSFP, she loves how the team prioritizes compassionate care for patients while also uplifting and supporting each other—creating a truly positive work environment. When she’s not studying, Megan enjoys diving into a good book or getting lost in her favorite video games. At home, she shares her space with her spirited five-year-old cat, Elwood, whose playful antics never fail to brighten her day.
Alicia, Veterinary Assistant with Odys
Meet Alicia
Alicia has always had a deep love for animals, having grown up in what she affectionately calls her "zoo," which included rabbits, hamsters, dogs, cats, gerbils, and more! With animals holding a special place in her heart, Alicia knew early on that she wanted to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. She thrives on the constant learning opportunities the field provides, where every day brings new experiences. Her favorite part of working at NSFP is the incredible people and supportive atmosphere, where everyone genuinely cares for one another. In her free time, Alicia enjoys crocheting and playing video games. At home, she shares her life with a lovable mixed-breed dog named Odys, two cats named Sparrow and Mimi, and a charming rabbit named Cadbury.
Kirsten, Veterinary Assistant
Meet Kirsten
Kirsten graduated from Everest College in 2009 and has always had a deep love for animals, having grown up surrounded by dogs, cats, reptiles, and even a flying squirrel! She appreciates the family-oriented atmosphere at NSFP, where kindness and helpfulness are a part of every workday. In her free time, Kirsten enjoys exploring the outdoors, particularly taking walks in the forest preserves. She shares her home with a cat named Ash and a husky mix named Sonny.
Marissa, Veterinary Assistant with Sage
Meet Marissa
Marissa was originally in school for Law Enforcement, but while working at NSFP she realized the veterinary field is her passion. She has rightfully declared herself NSFP’s “designated puppy snuggler”. Marissa loves the close relationships between NSFP staff and clients/patients and feels good about knowing that clients/patients are well taken care of. She loves being outdoors, spending time with friends/family, and snuggling with her pets. Her favorite food is any kind of pasta. She has an English Cream Retriever puppy named Chester and a cat named Mew Mew.
VETERINARY HOSPITAL ASSISTANTS
Shelbi, Hospital Assistant
Meet Shelbi
Shelbi holds a degree in Human Resource Development from Northeastern Illinois University and thrives in the rewarding atmosphere at NSFP. She enjoys the opportunity to work with both amazing colleagues and adorable pets, finding fulfillment in the supportive environment. Eager to learn something new each day, Shelbi embraces the challenges and joys of her role. A true fan of Marvel and DC comics, she loves watching movies and diving into books. In her free time, she cherishes spending quality moments with friends and family, making every day a little brighter.
Kathleen, Hospital Assistant with Bruno
Meet Kathleen
Kathleen is currently studying at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with aspirations of pursuing a graduate degree in veterinary medicine, potentially specializing in high-demand fields like radiology or surgery—or even both! She believes that NSFP provides an excellent foundation for individuals on the path to vet med, offering invaluable experience and support. In her downtime, Kathleen enjoys expressing her creativity through painting, finding it a perfect outlet for relaxation. At home, she has a charming toy poodle named Bruno, who brings joy to her everyday life. One of her dreams is to travel to the stunning Maldives, where she hopes to soak in the beauty of the islands and explore their vibrant culture.
