Meet Our Veterinary Team
We hope to see you soon! Discover Healthy Paws Animal Hospital’s fantastic team and why we love what we do.
Our team is, hands down, what makes us most different.
Our veterinary team at Healthy Paws Animal Hospital embodies a compassionate and dedicated group of professionals committed to the well-being of your furry companions. With a wealth of expertise and a genuine love for animals, each team member plays a crucial role in providing quality care for pets. We foster a warm and welcoming environment, recognizing the importance of building trust and rapport with both pets and their owners.
Our Veterinarians



Our Staff












Our Cats

Clinic Cats
Masters of Mischief
We have had an incredible run of GREAT clinic cats. It started with Vincent, a great ambassador who was with us for 6+ years. Vincent would sit in the front lobby and ‘allow’ all who entered to pet him. He left us in early 2016. A great loss for our team! April 2016 brought feline friends to Healthy Paws Animal Hospital, Gus Gus (orange longhaired) and Eleanor (gray shorthaired). They have learned the ropes of being clinic cats, sauntering around in spite of barking, vacuums, and, at times, mayhem. Be sure to pet our friendly, mischievous felines on your next visit!

Gus Gus
Gus Gus has a more regal presence and is ever the socialite, making sure everyone receives a proper welcome. Gus is down-to-earth and a hanging-out kind of guy. While he does not seek adults out, he has a special place in his heart for kids. And if you see a paw under your exam room door someday, it is his! Gus’ favorite pastimes are playing with his Turbo Scratcher toy, eating food from his SlimCat Toy, and carrying around his favorite mouse.

Eleanor
Eleanor could be described as goofy and presumptuous. A real queen bee, she demands attention and solitude based on her mood and is known for “putting herself to bed” in a variety of cabinets, drawers, and rooms. And oh, the look if you interrupt her beauty sleep! Her favorite pastime is being in people’s business and sitting in laps.

Clinic Cats
Masters of Mischief
We have had an incredible run of GREAT clinic cats. It started with Vincent, a great ambassador who was with us for 6+ years. Vincent would sit in the front lobby and ‘allow’ all who entered to pet him. He left us in early 2016. A great loss for our team! April 2016 brought feline friends to Healthy Paws Animal Hospital, Gus Gus (orange longhaired) and Eleanor (gray shorthaired). They have learned the ropes of being clinic cats, sauntering around in spite of barking, vacuums, and, at times, mayhem. Be sure to pet our friendly, mischievous felines on your next visit!

Gus Gus
Gus Gus has a more regal presence and is ever the socialite, making sure everyone receives a proper welcome. Gus is down-to-earth and a hanging-out kind of guy. While he does not seek adults out, he has a special place in his heart for kids. And if you see a paw under your exam room door someday, it is his! Gus’ favorite pastimes are playing with his Turbo Scratcher toy, eating food from his SlimCat Toy, and carrying around his favorite mouse.

Eleanor
Eleanor could be described as goofy and presumptuous. A real queen bee, she demands attention and solitude based on her mood and is known for “putting herself to bed” in a variety of cabinets, drawers, and rooms. And oh, the look if you interrupt her beauty sleep! Her favorite pastime is being in people’s business and sitting in laps.

John Ferrero
Practice Manager
From Dr. Burgess…
My rock and partner. It was not without much thought that we started this practice. It was a dream for years, but without John’s support, guidance, and business experience, it would have never come to fruition. I am proud of what we have developed, but even more proud to have John as our team leader.

Jean-Marie Brickey
Accountant
From Dr. Burgess…
Jean-Marie wears many hats. She is not only our bookkeeper but also my sister-in-law, an amazing mother, aunt, Godmother, and friend. Owning a small business is not always easy, and managing the books and day-in/day-out random operations is no exception. I clearly remember the day I called Jean when I was going for a run. I had a huge favor to ask her: Would she take over our books? My Practice Manager and husband (her brother) and I had been “sharing” this job, which was a terrible idea. To know you have infinite trust in someone as your bookkeeper is such a peace of mind. Jean-Marie keeps us in line while still making sure we are having fun. Recently, seeing her spread her wings into other areas of our business is even more exciting. Jean also shares a special bond with our clinic cat, Eleanor, who regularly keeps her company and bites her toes.

Evan Schwarz
Veterinary Assistant
Evan first came to Healthy Paws Animal Hospital following his junior year of high school as an assistant. He graduated from Iowa State and is currently attending the University of Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine. While Evan is now busy with school and not technically working at Healthy Paws currently, I consider him an honorary employee nonetheless. In his free time, Evan enjoys spending time with friends, family dog, and parachuting.
From Dr. Burgess…
Many people will tell you, “They want to be a vet.” After working with Evan, it was apparent very early on he “would be a vet.” As a team, we have had the pleasure of watching Evan grow up over the years, much to his chagrin, as we often reminisce. Not only is he smart and driven, but he is also what I would call “salt of the earth.” Equal parts inquisitive, asking questions as I practiced medicine, and a team player bringing french toast casserole to a brunch potluck, Evan brought a breath of fresh air to our team. For any little girl or boy who dreams of being a vet someday, Evan’s story is the one they should follow.

Anastasiia Gusarova
Veterinary Assistant
Anastasiia lives with her husband, Aleksandr, their daughter Dakota, and their Bengal cat, Ice. Outside of work, she enjoys staying active through sports, exploring new places while traveling, and drawing with markers. Her calling to veterinary medicine began in childhood, after a deeply personal experience with her family dog. That moment shaped her resolve to become a compassionate and skilled veterinarian – a goal that continues to inspire her every day.
From Dr. Burgess…
Anastasiia is mind blowing. While her formal training is that of a veterinarian, it is a long and arduous process getting licensed in the United States. In the interim, Anastasiia joined our team as a Veterinary Assistant allowing her to gain fluency and experience during this process. I cannot tell you how fortunate we feel to have her as part of our team. Initially there was concern with how someone learning English could help our team and clients when language and communication are everything. I am so thankful that we put that fear aside and gave Anastasiia the chance she deserved. Anastasiia is one of the hardest working people I have met. She is humble, never pushing her expertise, in spite of the fact that we all benefit from it. She is silly, kind, and has a knack with technology that makes me green with envy. Anastasiia makes me feel good, even when sometimes the world around me may not feel so good.

Sarah Prigge
Veterinary Assistant
From Dr. Burgess…
Stealth, purposeful, and constant are the words that remind me most of Sarah. She is always there – in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing. Her ability to quietly work behind the scenes getting a project done or a record completed is really quite remarkable. Sarah is also unexpected in so many ways, most notably with her wit that, at a moment’s notice, can bring a smile to your face or a chuckle to the room. And then there is Sarah’s artwork. It is a given that Sarah is amazing with animals, but she is also exceptional with art. She creates artwork that is striking, unexpected, silly, colorful….it blows my mind how she can take color, texture, mix it with her mind and graphically create such unique creations. For all of these reasons, Sarah makes our worlds more colorful.

Kristen Koske
Care Coordinator
From Dr. Burgess…
I am not sure what sold us more on Kristen, knowing her for years as a client, her interview, her application, her cover letter, her thank you card. Quite honestly, any one of them was enough for us to say “yes, please” – the combination blew us away. Kristen fits in with our team beautifully. I would argue that every one of my coworkers is overqualified for their role bringing experience and professionalism to our work environment that is priceless, Kristen is no exception. So much of our Healthy Paws world is about selflessly making someone else’s life easier, whether it be a coworker, client, or patient. Kristen, on day one, saved me by helping me modify a Zoom account issue I was having. It may seem small, but it is the small things that add up, and I cannot wait to see all of the small and big things Kristen has to offer.

Anna Zipparro
Care Coordinator
From Dr. Burgess…
Anna joined our team part-time in spring 2024. For the first several months, she balanced working with students in the classroom and then coming to work with our clients and patients. She has a passion for nature and animals, always noticing the beauty around her and participating in events such as the Great Backyard Bird Count. “Gentle soul” is how I would best describe Anna. No matter what life throws at her, no matter how tough or unsettling, Anna always stays true to herself and shares kindness and compassion with everyone around her.

Brenda Czarnecki
Care Coordinator
From Dr. Burgess…
Brenda just has it together. Done. She reminds me of the poles that you see stoplights on, always present and reliable and able to withstand the worst of storms while looking simple but elegant. And then, below the surface, Brenda is one of the nicest human beings you will ever meet. Brenda feels things deeply, which is one of her gifts. When her son adopted a dog that was infected with heartworm disease, it nearly broke Brenda’s heart. Scarlet recovered, and Brenda found a passion. She took her experience and basically vowed to be “that person” for every client going through a similar situation. Her advocacy is stunning. I truly love seeing the tenacity with which Brenda makes things her own.

Carol Pietsch
Care Coordinator
From Dr. Burgess…
Hiring is a very emotional time for us. We are excited to have a new “friend,” but always a little apprehensive about how everyone will get along in real-time. It is an art to find the right fit and our team is fiercely protective of our culture. When Carol expressed interest in a Care Coordinator role, we were nearly giddy. Having taken care of her dog Lily for years, we knew that Carol was compassionate, dedicated, reliable, resilient, and an advocate from the get-go. Carol is a hard worker beyond comparison, always pushing herself to be better, always her toughest critic. While Carol shines at customer service, it is equally fun to see her tenacity, fighting for not only the rights of our clients, but also of our practice. I am super excited to have had Carol now as not only a client, but a coworker.

Kadee Palmquist
Care Coordinator
From Dr. Burgess…
I had the pleasure of meeting Kadee as a childcare provider years ago at our local YMCA. Kadee’s openness, welcoming personality, and sincerity immediately caught my eye as someone I wanted to be around and work with someday. It has been a pleasure experiencing her work at Healthy Paws and our families have grown with Kadee over the years. We often say, “remember when” we only used two exam rooms, “remember when” the kids were all in diapers or grade school? Kadee is an integral part of our team, always eager to learn and explore new solutions. In particular, she takes pride in her ability to wrestle a schedule, allowing us to help as many pets as possible, yet still give the time that everyone deserves. More than anything, you can hear Kadee’s smile through the phone, providing ease and comfort for countless people daily. Kadee is a true leader and teacher in all she does.

Eryn Czarnik
Certified Veterinary Technician
From Dr. Burgess…
I am chuckling as I think of Eryn, she could not have been more custom made for our team. In total Eryn style, you may not know her for long, yet she packs so much energy and sincerity into everything she does that it feels like a long-term relationship from day one. Eryn takes the world in stride, and, in the process, she brings those around her up. Rest assured, if you need a laugh, you can rely on Eryn to come up with some random comment out of the blue that has everyone giggling. Eryn, while pregnant with her first child, kept us in stitches with her dry and blunt observations on her and our world alike.

Heather Sullivan
Certified Veterinary Technician
From Dr. Burgess…..
I have a good friend that I call my Bonsai tree. She was a friend of a friend originally, but over the last ten years, slowly and steadily, our friendship grew roots that are so solid and reliable that they seem timeless. Heather reminds me of this friend in how, without pomp and circumstance, she has established herself within our practice and team. Getting to know the layers of her personality and seeing the depth of her skills has been like unwrapping a new gift every month. And even better is when you get Heather going, and you see her silly side coming out of nowhere – it makes everybody’s day more enjoyable.

Amanda Schwarz
Certified Veterinary Technician
From Dr. Burgess…
I quite honestly do not even remember when we hired Amanda because I cannot remember a time without her contagious spirit being in our treatment room. Amanda’s spirit is absolutely overflowing and pervasive. Whether it be completing a work task, talking about bad reality TV shows, coming up with ideas for a birthday party, or lamenting a child’s illness, Amanda finds a way to be all in and stay positive. Balancing home and work is a talent, and having young children, twins nonetheless, has given Amanda a run for her money. Yet she comes in laughing constantly, amazing us with her creativity. I often feel like I get to live vicariously through her sewing and cricutting, which are also passions of mine. To have all of this and a love and talent with animals is unbelievable.

Liz Hartzheim
Certified Veterinary Technician
Liz had years of experience as a Certified Veterinary Technician before joining our team in March 2016. She earned an Associates degree in Veterinary Technology at Madison Area Technical College in 2004 and has practiced in both Illinois and Wisconsin. In her free time, Liz enjoys spending time with her husband, son Jack, daughter Addie, and extended family. Her hobbies include reading, cooking, watching her kid’s sporting events, and walking her best furry Labrador mix friend, Indy.
From Dr. Burgess…
The words that best describe Liz to me are quiet grace, spice, and confidence. Her personality is such a fun mix of these three qualities that it is always fun to hear what she is going to say next. Getting a rise out of Liz is nearly impossible, which is so valuable in our often tumultuous world. While one may think that Liz is shy, she has a spark that makes us laugh on a daily basis. And when it comes to skills and experience, she is wise beyond her years. I am blessed to work with so many moms. Being able to share parenting trials and tribulations, knowing I am not alone or crazy, is always reassuring. On a regular basis, Liz is an amazing “Mom sounding board” for all of us. Having Liz join us has given us stability I could only have dreamed of as a team member.

Cheri Eckdhal
Veterinary Technician, B.S. Animal Science
From Dr. Burgess…
Cheri and I worked together at a specialty hospital in Downers Grove. When John and I were planning Healthy Paws, I told Cheri there would always be a spot for her working with me, just say the word. I still remember the call two years later and my joy at being reunited with this amazing person. Cheri has a spirit that is pervasive. Those who meet her immediately experience her exuberance for life. She is one of the toughest people I know and has one of the best attitudes you can imagine. With her mix of emotional support and reflective wisdom, she is who you want to be around when things are tough. Cheri helps us all lead not just a “half-full” life, but an “overflowing” one.

Brooke Burger
Certified Veterinary Technician
From Dr. Burgess…
I first heard about Brooke from a previous coworker that I greatly respected. She suggested Brooke as a potential extern. While I was not sure we were ready to support a student, I knew there must be something special about Brooke for her to come so highly recommended. I have been grateful ever since that we said yes. Since then, we have seen Brooke grow from a green new grad to a confident veterinary care provider. Brooke is a go-getter, always willing to take on new tasks and challenges. Her work is impeccable, while her love of animals is endless. Brooke’s husband is a tattoo artist and, while I myself do not have any tattoos, I love seeing the beautiful artwork he creates. Even more beautiful is seeing Brooke in the role of mother. While initially a bit shy, Brooke very quickly blossomed into a very talented technician, leader, and source of knowledge for our team.

Dr. Tracey Haslitt
Associate Veterinarian
From Dr. Burgess……
Finding an associate veterinarian is one of the biggest challenges in our profession. Trying to find someone with similar values and communication skills who practices strong medicine and can get along with team members and clients alike is tough enough. Combine this with an overwhelming lack of veterinarians and it often feels like finding a unicorn might be a better bet. When my good veterinarian friend brought Dr. Haslitt to my attention, I literally stalked her (in a non-creepy way) in an effort to show her our little piece of heaven here at Healthy Paws. Dr. Haslitt has become an endearing part of our culture. She is not only generous, kind and patient, but as importantly, she practices exceptional medicine. Dr. Haslitt pushes me to be a better veterinarian, which is a double blessing.

Dr. Megan Mosier
Associate Veterinarian
From Dr. Burgess….
Rarely do you meet a person like Dr. Mosier. Exuberant, bubbly and just plain joyous is how I would start to describe her, but this only scratches the surface. A talented veterinarian with a fierce dedication to her patients, Dr. Mosier is a balance of compassion, knowledge, and reality that is truly essential to thrive in our profession. I have known Dr. Mosier since veterinary school and we have taken very similar paths over the years. Personally, she has provided me support and been a cheerleader through thick and thin; professionally, she leaves me feeling confident and at peace when caring for our patients.

Dr. Karen Burgess
Head Veterinarian
James Herriot, 4H, and a cat named Cicero made Dr. Burgess who she is today. Born and raised in Kansas City with parents who were high school teachers, her summer driving trips were spent listening to All Creatures Great and Small on the car radio – it was then that an interest in veterinary medicine and a determination to embrace all things animal was born. Volunteering for the local vet at fourteen turned into a high school job and taught her the ropes of the profession, from kennel cleaning to answering phones.
Dr. Burgess attended Kansas State University and received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1997. After graduation, she moved to Hollywood, FL, to obtain advanced training at a large referral, general, and emergency practice in a small animal internship focusing on cats and dogs. In 2000, she relocated to her soon-to-be husband’s hometown of Chicago.
Dr. Burgess then practiced downtown at an extensive general practice and at the referral specialty center Arboretum View Animal Hospital, which provided emergency/critical care. Along with her husband, John, the idea for Healthy Paws Animal Hospital was born and a dream finally came true with its opening in May 2010.
While not at work, Dr. Burgess enjoys spending time with her husband and practice manager, John, and their four daughters. Her hobbies include reading, swimming, sewing, and cooking.