Veterinary Medicine

Anthony T. Kremer D.V.M. '89

Dr. Anthony T. Kremer graduated from the University of Illinois in 1990. He has owned hospitals in the Illinois suburbs of Plainfield, Naperville, Streamwood, Minooka, and Channahon as well as Columbus, Ohio. In conjunction with his wife, Meg, he co-founded the Humane Society of Plainfield, a shared dream to save countless dogs and cats from euthanasia. (The Humane Society of Plainfield places approximately 700 animals per year in loving homes and can be found on the web at plainfieldhumane.com). Dr. Kremer has a special interest in surgery and has done post-graduate study at The Ohio State University in Total Hip Replacement and fracture fixation.

He is an Executive Board member for the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association and he appears as a guest on the NBC channel 5 morning news once a month and periodically is on ABC news and WGN radio. He has 3 cats and 2 dogs; the dogs China and Boots are certified in animal assisted therapy at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and have appeared on Animal Planet for their work with patients at the hospital.

Brother Kremer reports the following:
I got my first taste of what would be my life’s work when a neighbor who happened to be a veterinarian gave me a job. I loved just being around all the animals and workered there for the next 13 years. At the beginning, I performed the jobs nobody typically wants such as, cleaning cages, feeding and watering, this gave me an appreciation for the care pets need especially when they are sick. As time went on, I took on more tasks such as grooming pets, and even assisting in surgery and treatments. During these experiences, I realized that I wanted to be able to look at something as helpless as sick animal and help it get well; I wanted to be a Veterinarian. I attended University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois where I graduated with a degree in Veterinary Medicine in 1990. I met my wife, Meg while we were both at college and we were married in 1992.

Soon after I graduated, I went back and began work at the same clinic where it all started. I loved working at the clinic but I knew that I always wanted to accomplish more, so when I received an offer to start my own clinic, I was overwhelmed.

Soon after graduation, an opportunity to own and manage a vet hospital arose at the Animal Care Center of Plainfield, a beautiful brand new full service facility. The potential for growth and partnership was amazing. I jumped at the opportunity. Through the years, we added more associates as our clinic grew and added two more hospitals to the area to meet the demands of our clients and our expanding community. It was also during that time, I was able to explore areas of interest such as, Orthopedic Surgery and Behavior. I attended post-graduate course work with some of the best orthopedic surgeons at the Ohio State University. We brought some of these professors to our hospitals to teach are associate veterinarians to be their best. We also taught our clients to only expect the best.

We also added externship programs through several veterinary schools, allowing students to come and explore our hospitals. We provide the students with options for surgery, aftercare, communication and education. The future of veterinary medicine is in the students and we have been to have many who return to our hospitals as partners and associates.

In 2002, we founded “Help Save Pets – Humane Society of Plainfield”, a dream shared with my wife Meg, to save countless dogs and cats from euthanasia. When we first opened, our top priority was to increase adoptions and create positive awareness through education. The organization now places approximately 700 animals per year in loving homes. Meg works as Director; she has a special touch with baby animals and often raises young orphans at home.

Throughout these years, the role and the importance of the media increased. I began to comprehend how we as veterinarians could educate through the media. We now had the ability to reach and inform many more. Since our treatment and care of animals 20 years ago was certainly not what it was today why should our way of educating our clients be? In 1996, through our local veterinary association, I was invited to appear on television. I eagerly agreed to appear knowing that this was a great opportunity to educate people across Chicago about animals. I have been a regular guest ever since.

I have appeared on numerous radio and television shows and the animal friends I bring with me are all my own. Many are involved in my other interest, Chenny Troupe, an animal assisted therapy. The Troupe requires that all canine volunteers pass a very difficult obedience and temperament test before they can work in any of the programs. Many of Chenny Troupe clients cannot be reached by traditional forms of therapy and each volunteer works in collaboration with the physicians, psychotherapists, counselors, and rehabilitation therapists on staff at the site so that each program is responsive to the needs of the patient population in the therapeutic environment.

I have always had pets since I was a young boy. Today we have 3 cats, 2 dogs and a quarter horse named Tango.

Kerry Lancaster D.V.M. '94

After taking his BS in both Animal Science and Veterinary Science, Brother Lancaster earned his DVM at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Lancaster writes:
I have always loved animals and early on knew that I wanted to be a veterinarian. I grew up in this area, spending most of my childhood in West Chicago. In high school I worked part-time at a veterinary clinic in Bartlett as a kennel worker and veterinary assistant. I spent many a day including Sundays and holidays, cleaning cages and bathing animals. It was not exactly glamorous, but I learned a lot.

After veterinary school, I moved with my wife Elaine, also a veterinarian, to New Jersey, where we spent two years before moving back to the Wheaton area in 2000 and joined the staff of Wheaton Animal Hospital. I enjoy the variety of patients we see here. The most rewarding part of my job is I get to know my patients and their families, seeing them through puppyhood to adulthood, and beyond.

A great benefit of my job is I get to bring my dog to work. My dog Lucas is my partner in crime. He is a very energetic German Shorthair Pointer who I think relies on his looks more than his brain to get himself out of trouble. He loves coming in with me as he gets to play all day with Dr. Rubendall's dog, Haelo!

Matthew Fraker D.V.M. '89