DUKE ANIMAL HOSPITAL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Owner
- Practice Meet the Staff Member
- 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
Job Titles:
- Practice Meet the Staff Member
- 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. 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. 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.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Veterinarian
- Veterinary Assistant
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.
Lena joined Duke Animal Hospital as a veterinary assistant in Spring of 2022. Born and raised here in the city, she is pursuing a bachelors degree in Biology from Loyola University. She plans on a career as a wildlife veterinarian and research biologist, and her goal is to work in wildlife conservation. She loves meeting all of the adorable patients that come in and helping the medical team. She has a 16 year old dog named Pepper at home, which she has had as a best friend since she was 8! Outside of work, she volunteers at an animal shelter and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, and enjoys ready and painting.
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. 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. Sophia Ochs graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and joined our team in the spring of 2021. Dr. Ochs is in the American Veterinary Medical Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, and the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association. At U of I, she was a part of the Veterinary Business Management Association, Omega Tau Sigman (a philanthropy fraternity), non-traditional species club, and volunteered in the wildlife clinic. She also did a shelter medicine rotation where she worked out of a mobile unit to perform spays and neuters at a local shelter, and was a chair for her fraternity for the pet wash fundraiser while in veterinary school. She has special interests in surgery, rehabilitation, and pain management. At home, Dr. Ochs has a cat named Huckleberry, a gecko named Rex, and her dog Yahtzee. She is also an avid plant mom, and loves being outdoors, cooking, and traveling.