Dr. Angela Duke

Founder, Owner, Veterinarian

Dr. Duke began her career in medicine working as a paramedic in the early 1990s.  Her shift to veterinary medicine began when she decided to change careers and attend veterinary school in 1996.  Dr. Duke graduated from the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000.  She has worked in Chicago for the past 20+ years focusing on small animals including dogs, cats and all exotic pets.  Dr. Duke’s major focus is canine and feline medicine, however, she has a great interest in exotic pet medicine as well.  Dr. Duke has had the good fortune to train side by side with Dr. Sue Horton at Chicago Exotics in Skokie for four years and Dr. Pete Sakas at Niles Bird Clinic for three years, in addition to her extensive experience with dogs and cats. Duke Animal Hospital was opened by Dr. Duke in May 2011, initially as a house call practice and progressing into a permanent full scale veterinary facility which opened at 3941 N. Ashland in Chicago in April of 2012.  Duke Animal Hospital is a state of the art veterinary facility providing wellness care, emergency medical support and illness treatment for all pets. Dr. Duke’s vision includes caring for companion pets from their juvenile period through their geriatric years providing high quality medical care and guidance for the pet and their human partners.Dr. Duke is pictured with two of her three cats (Elsa and Anna) and her late dog, Gidgit. She also has a cat named Lady Gaga, and two rescued stray dogs, Candy Ann and Katie, who were found wandering the streets of Chicago.  They are now living the life of luxury with their own personal dog beds, fluffy blankets, pillows, and cushions spread all over Dr. Duke's house!

• Dr. Duke is a member of the following organizations:

  • American Veterinary Medical Association
  • American Animal Hospital Association
  • Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association
  • Chicago Veterinary Medical Association
  • American Association of Feline Practitioners
  • Association of Avian Veterinarians
  • Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians
  • Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians
  • Chicago Turtle Club
  • Chicago Herpetological Society
  • House Rabbit Society of Chicago
  • Greater Chicago Ferret Association
  • The Critter Corral

   

Dr. Ashley Alore

Team Medical Director

Dr. Ashley Alore graduated with her doctorate in 2015 from the University of Minnesota's Veterinary School. She began her career in Wisconsin, working with companion animals and dairy cows in the mixed animal medicine field. Originally from Downers Grove, Dr. Alore moved back to Chicago to spend be closer to her fiance and her family, having two sisters, a nephew, and a niece. Aside from working with cats and dogs, Dr. Alore enjoys working with exotics as well, having particular experience with ferrets, rabbits, and guinea pigs. She also really enjoys surgeries, and gaining insight and honing her craft more with each new case. Aside from practicing medicine, Dr. Alore enjoys crocheting blankets, painting abstract art, and playing board games. She has a passion for travel and shares her home with her two wonderful cats, Peebs and Xander (pictured).

Dr. Mark Sadler

Team Medical Director

Dr. Sadler joined the Duke Animal Hospital team in September 2019. He grew up in northern Illinois before moving to Alabama for college where he earned his Bachelors of Science Degree from Auburn University as a University Honors Scholar. He then returned to the midwest to receive his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree from the University of Illinois. He has experience in emergency and critical care as well as general practice, and enjoys taking on challenging cases. Dr. Sadler is a big proponent of client education and has interests in surgery, clinical pathology, and emergency care. In his free time he enjoys playing sports, exercising, catching the latest movies, spending time with friends, and traveling.

Dr. Madeline Benjamin

Associate Veterinarian

In Spring of 2024, our team had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Madeline Benjamin as an esteemed associate veterinarian. Dr. Benjamin's journey into veterinary medicine is a testament to her unwavering passion for animal care. Graduating with a Major in Biology and Minor in Chemistry from the University of Iowa, Dr. Benjamin's early experiences at a veterinary clinic solidified her dedication to the field. Pursuing her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, she immersed herself in various endeavors, including serving as Vice President of the Human-Animal Bond Association. Her commitment extended beyond academia as she collaborated with prisons, facilitating the pairing of inmates with shelter dogs for service dog training—an initiative showcasing her compassion and dedication to animal welfare.

During her collegiate journey, Dr. Benjamin also actively participated in the Veterinary Business Association and lent her expertise to the Wildlife Medical Clinic, further enriching her understanding of diverse aspects within the field.

Bringing her wealth of experience to our clinic, Dr. Benjamin is poised to forge meaningful connections with pet parents and their beloved companions. Her return to Chicago, accompanied by her beloved Fox Terrier/Pitbull mix, Noe, and her trusty bearded dragon, Lady, underscores her deep-rooted ties to the community.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Dr. Benjamin finds solace in the outdoors, culinary adventures, and the gripping narratives of horror thrillers.

Dr. Hilary Coulombe

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Coulombe joined Duke Animal Hospital in the spring of 2021. Having graduated from Kansas State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2017, she has been practicing in the Chicagoland area for several years. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and Chicago Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Coulombe's approach to medicine is to establish meaningful relationships with clients in order to care for her patients through all life stages. She believes in helping her clients understand preventative care and the benefits it can yield in the long-run to avoid issues in the future. Dr. Coulombe's special interests in the field are internal medicine, and senior wellness aging care. She also wants to continue to expand her knowledge of exotic pets. She can sometimes be spotted working at vaccine clinics with the Anti-Cruelty Society here in Chicago. Outside of work, Dr. Coulombe spends her time with her teenage son as well as her border collie mix, Nymphadora. She also loves attending music festivals, camping out in the wilderness, and exploring local restaurants. 

Dr. Nicole Hoogerhyde

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Hoogerhyde graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and joined Duke Animal Hospital in the summer of 2022. She is originally from New Jersey and received her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Animal Science from Rutgers University. During veterinary school, she was able to spend a lot of time in Chicago completing several externships in the area, and decided to relocate to the city after graduation. Dr. Hoogerhyde's special interests include internal medicine and dentistry. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Outside of work, Dr. Hoogerhyde enjoys thrifting, traveling, and spending time with her adorable dog Cato.

Dr. Caraline Nack

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Nack joined the team in Summer 2022, and is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Having always had a love for animals and science, Dr. Nack found veterinary medicine to be the perfect combination of the two, and during her schooling traveled to Thailand on a two-week veterinary externship with the Thailand College Veterinary Service where she volunteered a week each at Elephant Nature Park and the Dog Rescue Clinic outside of Chiang Mai. Working in this industry has been a joy for Dr. Nack as she has built meaningful bonds with pets and their families, and fostered a community within the veterinary community among colleagues and support staff. At U of I, Dr. Nack was involved with the Companion Animal Veterinary Association and Public Health Association, and externed at the Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society and PAWS Chicago as a part of their spay/neuter programs. She also completed multiple externships at Eye Care for Animals in St. Charles, IL. Dr. Nack is currently a member of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, and American Veterinary Medical Association. When not working, Dr. Nack is settling into the city by exploring new restaurants, attending varied Chicago sports games/matches, and binging the newest shows on Netflix. She also is the proud foster mom of a young Pitbull named Cam!

Dr. Caitlin Strowzewski

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Caitlin Strozewski hails from Mount Prospect, IL, where her journey into veterinary medicine began. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from Tulane University in 2018, where she was actively involved as a research assistant in the Tulane Learning and Brain Development Lab. During her undergraduate years, Caitlin dedicated her time to animal welfare, volunteering at Animal Rescue New Orleans and the Louisiana SPCA.

Continuing her academic pursuits, Caitlin achieved her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Illinois in 2024. Throughout veterinary school, she immersed herself in various clubs such as the Feline Club, Emergency and Critical Care, and Internal Medicine. Caitlin gained valuable experience in small animal emergency care and briefly volunteered at the Wildlife Medical Clinic, further broadening her expertise.

Caitlin's passion for veterinary medicine stems from her lifelong love of science, biology, and animals. Her particular affinity for feline medicine and neurology drives her professional interests, with aspirations to specialize in soft tissue surgery.

Outside of her veterinary practice, Caitlin finds balance through yoga, crafting and embroidery, and indulging in anything Halloween-related, such as watching horror movies. At home, she shares her life with Bella, a pitbull mix, and her three beloved cats: Salem, Goblin, and Frankie.

Managers

Britt

Front Desk Manager, Project Coordinator, Veterinary Assistant and Receptionist

Britt first came to Duke Animal Hospital in 2015 as a client before joining the team in 2017 as a client service representative. She now fills the role as a front desk manager as well as project coordinator, while helping provide support for the medical team as a trained veterinary assistant. Currently, she is working towards becoming a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager. She especially enjoys client education, as she knows how important it is to feel confident in your pets' care. She finds any excuse to talk about her three spoiled ferrets - Ragnar, Chachamaru, and Masubi - and show off her attention-seeking cats Mr. Bumi and Vonnugget. Her rescued cattle dog mix, Ainslie, sometimes hangs out behind the reception desk, so feel free to give him some pets!  Aside from her obsession with her pets, her other passions include writing, reading tarot, and playing the Sims 4 obsessively.

Cindy

Medical Support Staff and Facilities Manager & Veterinary Assistant

Corinne

Medical Support Staff and Facilities Manager & Veterinary Assistant

Corinne came to Duke Animal Hospital during the summer of 2015 to complete her practicum in the Veterinary Technician program at Fox College. It was a great fit and she started full time after graduation! Corinne's pets include her bulldog mix Torple and her three cats Van Gogh (pictured), Bellatrix, and one-eyed kitty named Cyborg.  With a background in the music industry, Corinne spends her free time going to see local bands perform along with reading, riding her bike, and camping/hiking.  Her eclectic likes include dinosaurs and terror birds, pathology, parasitology, math, puzzles, fractious cats, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and eating jalapeno chips!

Kristy

Human Resources Manager and Senior Receptionist

Kristy joined the Duke Animal Hospital Team as a receptionist shortly after the hospital opened, and has since moved into the role of Human Resource Manager. She comes from a background of animal lovers, as her family currently has 9 dogs ranging of all breeds and sizes! At home, Kristy has two rescued dogs that can be frequently seen greeting clients at reception - Gomez and Louie. Kristy loves to go out dancing and does so as often as possible.  She also has a special interest in pet-sitting, photography, and cooking. Kristy is pictured with her late dog, Diva.

Natalie

Administrative Manager, Bookkeeper and Receptionist

Natalie joined the Duke Animal Hospital team in 2015 as a receptionist and has also taken on the role of administrative manager and bookkeeper. Hailing from England, she moved to Michigan in 2006 and graduated from Western Michigan University with an undergraduate degree in Business. Having always had a huge soft spot for animals, Natalie enjoys the diverse array of animals we see at Duke Animal Hospital, thriving in her ability to meet and learn more about them and their care. Natalie's dog Milo (pictured) is never far from her and always keeps her company as she works. Natalie also has three cats (Esme, Negan, and Kevin), three bunnies (Belle, Hagrid, and Piglet), Potato the hedgehog, and a crested gecko named Jerry. She hopes to one day open an animal sanctuary to take in at-risk and abandoned pets and give them a peaceful place to live. Aside from her passion for pet care and rescue, Natalie enjoys going to concerts, painting in her spare time, and traveling.

Sally

Client Liaison & Receptionist

Sally is a lifelong animal lover and has lived with a variety of pets over the years.  Originally from the east coast, she and her husband Niles are happy to call Chicago home.  She serves as the client liaison at the clinic, working directly with pet parents as needed to provide information about services and procedures and ensure satisfactory care. Sally has a love of long walks, eating and cooking amazing vegetarian fare, and reading. Sally and Niles currently have two cats, Celeste (pictured) and Raven.

Meet the Team

Cynthia

Certified Veterinary Technician

Cynthia joined the team here at Duke's in August 2019 after having completed a rotation for her internship here earlier in the year. She attended Joliet Junior College for her Veterinary Technology program, and passed her Veterinary Technician National Exam in 2021, becoming a Certified Veterinary Technician. Cynthia found her love for the field particularly in helping nursing sick patients back to health. Outside of work, Cynthia enjoys rewatching Harry Potter, walking in the fresh air, and indulging in zombie flicks.

Denise

Certified Veterinary Technician

Denise has been working as a veterinary technician since 2009 and joined Duke Animal Hospital in spring of 2016.  She couldn't be happier in her vocation and loves working together as a team to treat patients and gain the trust of our clients.  Her pet family includes her little pit bull Turbo (pictured), a pit bull, her leopard gecko Fred and ball python Waffles.  In her free time she enjoys cooking, baking, and going to concerts.

Emerald

Certified Veterinary Technician

Emerald joined our team as a certified veterinary technician in the summer of 2021. She is a graduate of the Vet Tech Institute of Fox Valley College, and has been in the veterinary field for six years, including working with a humane society when she first graduated. 

Lisa

Certified Veterinary Technician

With over 10 years of experience, Lisa left her work in animal research to join the team in 2022. Having worked in a lab for several years, she still often finds herself drawn to running in-house labwork. At home, she has a 2 year old boxer mix named Daphne that she rescued. In her free time, she often reads, plays video games, and hangs out with her son.

Monica

Certified Veterinary Technician

Monica has been registered as a certified veterinary technician since 2014 and joined the clinic when she moved back to the area in 2022. Monica finished her veterinary technician program out of Carrington College. At home, she has two tortoiseshell cats - Sophie and Kiara. The former was rescued from the ASPCA and the latter used to be a barn cat! Monica thrives in procedures - assisting with dental procedures, anesthesia monitoring, and recovering patients as they wake up. Monica loves to bake, spend time in nature, and enjoys painting.

Alyssa

Veterinary Assistant

Having worked previously as a veterinary assistant in a small animal clinic, Alyssa moved to Chicago to continue to pursue a career in the veterinary field and joined our team in 2020. She previously worked as a groomer for 8 years and volunteered at humane societies. She has specific interests in surgery, and plans to continue on her path to becoming a certified veterinary technician. At home she has two dogs: a kleekai and a chihuahua. In her spare time she enjoys consuming a good book, particularly those of the fantasy variety.

Gabby

Veterinary Assistant

Gabby is a native Chicagoan but someday wants to live in the country with animals of her own. She has wanted to work in the veterinary field since she was young, and hopes to someday get the opportunity to work with wildlife. In her down time, she enjoys photography, cooking, and camping/hiking.  Gabby is also the proud owner of Schmidt, a domestic medium hair cat.

Maria

Veterinary Asssitant

Maria started as an assistant here at Duke Animal Hospital during the Winter of 2016. A Chicago Native, she also works at a doggy daycare and as a venue host when she's not here at the clinic. A passionate dog and reptile lover, at home Maria has two dogs - Q-Tip (pictured) and Maxine. Her favorite part of her role here is learning new skills each day. Outside of the care of animals, she also enjoys dog-walking, volunteering at Chicago Canine Rescue, and DC comics.

Taylor

Veterinary Assistant

Taylor began her work at Duke Animal Hospital as an assistant. From the northwest side of Chicago, Taylor has a bachelor's in Biology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Taylor plans on applying her hands-on experience at our clinic to her future as a certified veterinary technician. Enjoying working with all animals, Taylor thrives in reading slides under the microscope and drawing blood for our much-needed tests for our patients. At home Taylor has a cat named Kunkins (pictured), and three dogs - Baloo, Nanus, and Luna. She also has a passion for Disney, drawing portraits of animals, and helping her neighbors.

Zach

Veterinary Assistant

Zach has been in the veterinary field since 2019 and joined our team in 2023. He started off working with daycare and boarding facilities, as he has always had a passion for animals which inspired him to work with caring more closely for pets. At home he has 3 dogs - Diamond, Hazel, and Libby - and an adorable turtle named Boba Tea. Aside for his love of animals, he spends his time cooking, going out with friends, and gardening.

Alicia

Receptionist

Alicia has been with Duke Animal Hospital since 2015 as a receptionist, transitioning to full-time in May 2016. Coming from a large family of animal lovers, she has worked in the veterinary field for 18 years as a receptionist and assistant. Having known Dr. Duke for several years prior to beginning here, she was inspired to join the clinic due to the resounding team spirit and familial atmosphere. Alicia has two daughters who dote upon their sassy chihuahua rescue, Nena. When not chasing down strays to rescue, Alicia enjoys experimenting in the kitchen with new desserts for her to share with her family, friends, and coworkers.

Christina

Receptionist

Christina joined Duke Animal in Fall 2020 as a receptionist after having spent several years helping pets through her volunteer work and pet-sitting. She is from a small town in northern Illinois. She is currently enrolled in a certification program for pet bereavement counseling. A self-prescribed cat-lady, Christina has experience in wildlife rehabilitation and has reintroduced many critters back into their natural environments. Christina has a full house of cats - Daisy, Charlie, Henry, Athena, Ringo and Rumi. She also has two guinea pigs - Scout and Ari - as well as a little mouse named Hamish that they rescued from aggressive cage-mates. In her spare time Christina enjoys crafting, listening to Taylor Swift, and fostering kittens. 

Felicia

Receptionist

Felicia has worked in the veterinary field for over 10 years and joined our team in Spring of 2023. She loves greeting clients as they walk in and chatting with them about their pets. She lives with her mother's dog at home, and enjoys spending her free time with her family, cooking, and pet-sitting.

Maggie

Receptionist

Sarah L.

Receptionist

Sarah joined Duke Animal Hospital in January 2024 as a Receptionist. After spending time in the corporate world and moving around, she and her family arrived from London, England in 2007 and planted roots in Chicago. Sarah has always loved animals; especially her beloved childhood dog, Miss Clancy who lived until she was 19 years old. Interacting with clients, patients and coworkers has been very gratifying. Although she doesn't have a pet of her own, Sarah enjoys spending time with her sister's dog, Teddy (who is a patient at Duke Animal Hospital). When not working, she loves time with family, watching her boys play sports, improving her Pickleball skills and volunteering at Nourishing Hope Food Pantry.

Trinidad

Receptionist

In the Summer of 2018, Trinidad joined our front desk team and has been quickly learning from her fellow staff members. Having previously worked in the pet retail world, she easily fell in love with animals of all shapes and sizes, and came to Duke Animal Hospital to work alongside like-minded individuals who also had a passion for caring and learning more about our companions. Trinidad is a huge Cubs fan, only surpassed by her love for the Bulls. Mia, a twelve year old poodle with the demeanor of a puppy, lives at home alongside a 3 year old blue nosed pitbull named Tino (pictured) who acts more like a stubborn teenager. Aside from getting in her dose of cuddles with her pets, Trinidad loves hiking, watching scary movies, Italian food, and has a passion for butter pecan ice cream that cannot be stopped.

Alexis

Veterinary Assistant

Alexis joined the team at Duke Animal Hospital as a veterinary assistant in the beginning of 2022. At home she has a dog named Xena as well as a blue parakeet named Babybird. When she isn't at work she focuses on self care, nature walks, and motorbiking. Aside from also caring deeply about pet wellness, she also enjoys teaching people plant based health and wellness practices.

Kelsey

Veterinary Assistant

Kelsey joined the team in the Fall of 2023 as a veterinary assistant. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Animal Sciences. While at school, she interned at the Champaign County Humane Society in the medical lab and plans on future schooling within the field. At home, she has three German Shorthaired Pointers, Charlie, Jack, and Rosie, whom her family has been loving and caring for since the litters' birth in 2009. At work, Kelsey enjoys furthering her education in the field by watching procedures and gaining first-hand experience working at a veterinary hospital. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, reading books, and spending quality time with her family and pets.

Vanessa

Veterinary Assistant

Vanessa started at Duke Animal Hospital in 2022. Vanessa earned her undergraduate degree in ecology and environmental science. She is currently enrolled in the veterinary technician program through Penn Foster, and plans on continuing her career as a veterinarian in the future. As a hands-on learner, she's found mentorship among the staff to help her further her skill set. Outside of work she enjoys anime and comic books. She is currently fostering two spunky cats at home.

Heidi

Resident Turtle and Patient Greeter

Meet Heidi - or maybe you already have! Heidi the Eastern Box Turtle was rescued by Dr. Duke in 1995. Prior to gaining Dr. Duke's attention, she had been living in a tupperware container in a basement, refusing food and grey in color. Now Heidi has a strict worm-and-tomato diet that she refuses to stray from, and has developed her saturated orange coloring that we all know and love. Heidi not only greets clients and patients, but also makes educational trips with Dr. Duke to classrooms and similar events. A real diva now, Heidi gets daily spa treatments and insists on a plethora of faux plant decor. You'll notice she also swiped one of our former technician's name badge (of the same name - what are the odds?)!