Meet Your Veterinarians & Support Staff

Each member of our team has a common goal: deliver the best veterinary experience possible to you and your pet. We go the extra mile to accommodate your pet's every need - and with our level of flexibility, it's no problem at all! Learn more about our exceptional team and don't forget to set up an appointment soon to meet us all in person.

DrSchaele

Dr. Schaele | Practice Owner, Veterinarian

Dr. Schaele earned his DVM from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in 2004. After graduation, he began his veterinary career as a large animal veterinarian. However, he soon realized that he wanted to be a practice owner. It has been an 11-year journey to get the experience he wanted in order to take the leap into a leadership role. In his current role, Dr. Schaele loves interacting with clients and being able to be a small part of their lives. It’s wonderful to see pets grow and age with their families. He also finds it gratifying to develop relationships with multiple generations of families! Dr. Schaele is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Chicago Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Association (WVRA), and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

Dr. Schaele and his family enjoy anything outdoors as well as sporting events! In his spare time, Dr. Schaele also enjoys biking, hiking, skiing, attending his kids’ sporting events, being outdoors, and cooking.

Jacob Levin | Veterinarian, DVM

Dr. Levin received his bachelor's degree in Animal Science and Biotechnology from the University of Illinois. Afterwards, he worked at Abbott Laboratories in their diagnostic division and with North Suburban Specialty Recreational Association teaching sports and science to children with learning disabilities.  He received his DVM in 2008 from the University of Illinois, and he has been a veterinarian in the suburbs since.

At home, Dr. Levin has a Shih-Tzu mix named Buster, a Siberian cat named Dash. He enjoys spending time with his nieces and nephews, baseball, bicycling, whirlyball, and crime podcasts.

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Tracey

Tracey | Office Manager, CVBL

Tracey is our office manager. She started in this industry officially in 2009 and found that she was very passionate about being an advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. The relationships she builds with clients and their pets is unbelievably rewarding and she loves being able to watch the bond grow between a pet and their owner. She enjoys being a part of the fun journey of pet ownership! She considers herself so lucky to have found a job that she truly loves!

She completed her certification to become a Certified Veterinary Business Leader.

Michele | Certified Veterinary Technician

Ever since she was a child, Michele knew she wanted to help animals. She began her career in veterinary medicine as a member of the kennel staff and has continued to expand her skills in the field ever since. Michele is proud to have accomplished her goal of working in the animal field and helping and educating pet owners. Her background includes a Bachelor of Animal Science from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and an associate vet tech certification from Parkland College. Michele enjoys being able to take care of animals through all the stages of their lives and play a role in keeping them happy and healthy.

She has 2 pets of her own, a Chihuahua named Ren and a domestic shorthair cat named Mouse. In her spare time, Michele enjoys bike riding, hiking, and traveling. 

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colleen bio

Colleen | Veterinary Technician

Colleen knew right from the start that she wanted to work with animals after graduating high school. She went straight to a 2-year college to earn her associate degree in veterinary science. Colleen finds great fulfillment in helping animals get better and stay healthy. She has one furry family member of her own, a white and grey cat named Peach.

In her free time, Colleen enjoys playing video games, watching movies, playing frisbee and golf, hiking, and swimming. She’s also a big fan of Disney. 

Ezzy | Client Service Representative

Ezzy has wanted to work with animals for some time, so Buffalo Grove Animal Hospital was the perfect fit! She and her soon-to-be-husband share their home with three pets: Riley, a German Shepherd mix; Rocky, a Bombay cat; and Bruno, an orange tabby. One of Ezzy’s favorite things about working at our hospital is getting to meet so many different pets, who she gets to treat as if they were her own! In her free time, she loves hiking/long walks, reading, and finding new books to enjoy. Ezzy also supports various charities and events outside of work and had the opportunity to train for and complete her first marathon.

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Jackie | Animal Care Assistant

Jackie is an animal care attendant at Buffalo Grove Animal hospital. She has been working with animals of all sorts for a while now and is excited to help them in other special ways. To work with animals, she believes it takes a special person to put all selfish needs behind them and put a stranger as their first priority. She is extremely proud to say she has a heart open to all. Jackie has a ten-year-old Yorkshire Terrier named Bear. She loves meeting all the new faces every day. Jackie feels lucky to never have the same day twice at work, it’s always a challenge at hand and never a dull moment. Jackie loves getting together with friends and family. It’s always exciting talking about new puppies or the certain doggos that steal her heart!

Lauren | Animal Care Assistant

Lauren has always had a love and passion for animals. She finds being able to care for them as a career very rewarding and enjoyable. With her strong passion of helping animals and their owners, Lauren has no plans on ever leaving the veterinary field!

Outside of work, you can find Lauren doing what she loves most…hanging out with her 5-year-old tabby cat, Moe! She also likes to listen to music and watch movies and tv shows.

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Tiffany

Tiffany | Animal Care Assistant

Tiffany has had pets her whole life. She always felt a special connection with animals and knew that helping pets and their owners would be her calling. Pets are family and deserve to be treated as such! She takes pride in watching patients grow and helping them stay healthy, happy, and safe. Tiffany loves being with her own animal companions when she isn’t at work; they’re so forgiving and are always happy to see her. She shares her life with 3 dogs, 2 snakes, and a bearded dragon.

Giavanna | Animal Care Assistant

Giavanna has her associate degree in science and is working towards her bachelor’s in biology at Dominican University (as of February 2024). She always had a passion for caring for animals, so choosing a career in veterinary medicine made perfect sense. Getting to work with animals every day is an absolute pleasure, and working with people who share that pleasure makes it even better! Giavanna has one animal companion at home, a tortoiseshell cat named Ginny whom she adores.

When she isn’t at the practice, Giavanna enjoys practicing guitar and thrifting (she loves fashion). She also loves Asian food and watching foreign movies in her free time.

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