Elsie is a recent graduate from Fox College Veterinary Technical Institute; you may wonder where her love of animals started. Every year since she was three, she took family trips to Guatemala and Mexico patiently working her way into the hearts of homeless dogs and cats. She’d rescue, bathe, and treat small injuries in exchange for the unconditional wagging tails and kisses! With the help of her father, she was a matchmaker, meeting new people and finding her furry friends forever homes. Growing up in Chicago she didn’t see many strays but when she did guess who was the one to bring them home?? Reuniting families and their loved ones was always so rewarding for Elsie. Elsie has recently helped her mom rescue a Pit Bull who was tied to a fence here at Preiser Animal Hospital that needed medical attention. She also has a cat, named Cat, from a litter kittens that Elsie fostered and bottle fed from only a few days old (the litter mates have all been adopted out thru Heartland Animal Shelter). She has two turtles and Polly Miller (her Quaker parrot). She volunteered at Paws Lurie Clinic and senior homes and truly enjoyed helping those in need. Her first job was at Cousins IV, a raw vegan restaurant; she worked there three years and learned so much about the importance of nutrition and has since become a fitness lover. Lifting and running keeps her fit, but dancing is her favorite way to maintain good cardiovascular fitness! She enjoys living a very exciting life, always trying new food and going on adventures; but being a mom is her happiest journey yet, and her two young sons give her an excuse to act silly! Since joining our team at Preiser Animal Hospital in 2015 her mind and her heart have been opened to so many opportunities to make a difference in the lives of the families and their companions. Elsie is blessed knowing she has a whole team of amazing people with the same passion and goals in their hearts as she does for the veterinary field. We are blessed to have Elsie on our team, come in and meet her and you will agree with us on how compassionate, caring, and will do anything to make your pet and you comfortable here at the hospital!!

Dani joined our team in March of 17. Dani is very ecstatic and honored to be here with such amazing and passionate people! She’s currently working as both the receptionist and training to be a Technician. She studied with Penn Foster online schooling in Animal Behavior and Restraint for one year, and she’s teaching our team all that she’s learned. Her next goal is to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. Her passion is to help animals get the best care and treatment they need.  When Dani is not working she likes to bartend, go boating and fishing, and listen to music (her favorite is Beyonce). Her favorite food is pasta. The first thing you’ll notice about Dani is her smile and her positive energy with everything she does! Ask her about her python snake Lola! 🙂

I have always had a passion for animals. For years I wanted to enter the veterinary field except it was never the right time. I have a background in retail, real estate and banking. It wasn’t until 2016 that I decided to take the plunge and began my studies at Penn Foster to be a Veterinary Assistant. I joined the Preiser Animal Hospital family in November 2017. I am currently studying tobe a Veterinary Technician. I live in Des Plaines with my husband and daughter and our two cats: Roxy and Boggie; and three dogs: Silver & Ms.Toto (Heartland alumni) and Kookie.

We have quite a welcome committee here at Preiser Animal Hospital. Although rarely will you ever see all 3 of them in one room at one time there are 3 black cats that roam the halls of Preiser Animal Hospital. Chugach (aka Chewie) and his sister, Kenai came to Preiser Animal Hospital as strays once upon a time. Dr. Preiser took one look at their big orange eyes and fell in love instantly. Unfortunately, her German Shepherd had different aspirations for them.  And for that reason, they came to call the hospital home.  And it truly is their home. About a year later, along came a kitten named Priscilla, also a stray, and Chewie was instantly smitten. Shortly after her arrival ,Priscilla injured her arm and required a little more TLC. Chewie nursed her back to health and they have been living happily ever after since. Chewie can usually be found either on the sign-in clipboard or laying in the outgoing mailbox. Kenai is the brains of the operation.  She is also our interior decorator at times, using her nails to help re-design the upholstery. As for Miss Priss. She is less enthusiastic about dogs so she tends to take cover until things quiet down.  But when no one is around you will find her stretched out on the waiting room floor with her belly waiting to be petted or begging for water at the faucet (she has us trained quite well).