Avian and Exotic Animal Medicine
with a passion!
with a passion!
About Us
Chicago Exotics has been in business since 2000. We've been quickly establishing ourselves as the region's premier exotic animal hospital. Our mission is to be the best care facility in the Chicago land area for avian and exotic animals.
We do offer 24 hour critical care services in association with our emergency partners, Veterinary Emergency Group.
Take a tour of the facility.
We do offer 24 hour critical care services in association with our emergency partners, Veterinary Emergency Group.
Take a tour of the facility.
Susan Horton, DVM, Dipl ACEPM
Dr. Horton with baby quaker
Dr. Susan Horton is a University of Illinois graduate (class of 1995). Her interest in birds and exotic animals followed her into veterinary school where she worked for four years with the Director of Exotic Animal Medicine at the veterinary college, Dr. Kenneth Welle ABVP avian. With Dr. Welle, Dr. Horton gained valuable experience and knowledge in the care of reptiles, birds, sugar gliders, hedgehogs and other small mammals, as well as ostriches, emus, and fish. Also while at the University of Illinois, Dr. Horton took an elective course in reptile and aquatic medicine through Texas A&M University (Aquamed) and the aquatic rotation and University of Florida CVM, Gainesville. She attends and teaches at several of the yearly veterinary conferences on avian, reptilian, and exotic animal medicine. Through these venues she has continued her education in medicine, surgery, cytology, radiology, and all other aspects of avian, reptilian, and exotic animal medicine. She has served on the board and helped produce several of these conferences as well.
Dr. Horton speaking at a conference
Dr. Horton has not confined her knowledge and expertise to the within walls of a veterinary hospital. Both Brookfield Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoo, and the Shedd Aquarium have used her services. She has also worked with the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources in censusing the zoonotic diseases (contractible by people) of the local and statewide population of raccoons. She has lectured to the Aviculture Society of Chicago, the University of Illinois, Exoticscon, Purdue University, and many other local venues and has been published in the Veterinary Clinics of North America, Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery, Journal of Herpetologic Medicine and Surgery, and "Invertebrate Biology". She is a member of the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians where she has been President as well as being a member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians, AAZV, and AVMA. She has been an associate editor for the Journal of Reptilian and Amphibian Medicine and the Exotic DVM Magazine. She has been featured in JAVMA as well as AVMA. The Red Door Animal Shelter uses her rabbit expertise with their many wonderful bunnies. She is also Medical Director for HAPPE Parrots, Red Door Animal Shelter, and Friends of Scales Reptile Rescue. Dr. Horton has studied and spoken nationally and internationally in Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery. Here she is pictured with her endoscopy class at University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Horton has her own assortment of exotic (and not so exotic) pets including: geckos, quaker parrot, frogs, and one dog. In her "spare" time, Dr. Horton likes gardening, scuba diving, bird watching, camping, canning, brewing, bee keeping, and beading (and working on this website).
Dr. Horton appeared in a Chicago Magazine article profiling Chicago's top veterinarians as well as being featured in the JAVMA recently. Most recently she was interviewed by Linda Harrison for the HBD Chat.
Dr. Horton is a diplomate of the American College of Exotic Pet Medicine.
Dr. Horton has her own assortment of exotic (and not so exotic) pets including: geckos, quaker parrot, frogs, and one dog. In her "spare" time, Dr. Horton likes gardening, scuba diving, bird watching, camping, canning, brewing, bee keeping, and beading (and working on this website).
Dr. Horton appeared in a Chicago Magazine article profiling Chicago's top veterinarians as well as being featured in the JAVMA recently. Most recently she was interviewed by Linda Harrison for the HBD Chat.
Dr. Horton is a diplomate of the American College of Exotic Pet Medicine.
Dr. Horton and Otto!
Dr. Moy, Dr. Horton, and Dr. Giese
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Dr. Moy is ready for inspection!
Dr. Nix and Dr. Moy
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Dr. Valdes examining a guinea pig
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Stephanie Moy, DVM Stephanie Moy, DVM
Dr. Stephanie Moy graduated from the University of Illinois in 2010. While attending school, she volunteered in the wildlife clinic. During her third year, she became a team leader. She was active in several student organizations. During her senior year she did two externships; one at John G. Shedd Aquarium and one at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife at Sanibel Island , Florida . After graduating from school, she still continues to volunteer at the John G. Shedd Aquarium. Prior to joining Chicago Exotics, she worked at another animal clinic where she treated dogs, cats, and exotic animals. She has lectured at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine as well as Purdue. She serves on the IACUC board for Northeastern Illinois University as well! Dr. Moy’s love of exotics stemmed from her 25 year old cockatiel. In her spare time, Dr. Moy likes to read, listen to music, cook/bake, and trying to be crafty. Dr. Moy was recently featured in a JAVMA article on Small mammals! |
Kristin Valdes, DVM
Kristin Valdes, DVM
Dr. Valdes is a graduate of the University of Illinois Class of 2013. During school she was an active member of the wildlife clinic and was the exotic mammal representative of the non traditional species club. She also spent her summers and externships in veterinary school learning exotic animal medicine from the Belize Zoo, Decatur Zoo, Brookfield Zoo, the Bird Hospital at Mexico City’s UNAM, and the Carolina Raptor Center. Dr. Valdes has written many pet segments in popular magazines as well as contributing to the Ask a Vet section here. She is also certified in Avian Fear-Free handling.
At home, Dr. Valdes enjoys learning and practicing foreign languages and is proficient in Spanish. She also enjoys playing guitar and holds a captive audience with her two chinchillas and pet cat.
At home, Dr. Valdes enjoys learning and practicing foreign languages and is proficient in Spanish. She also enjoys playing guitar and holds a captive audience with her two chinchillas and pet cat.
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Deanne Strat-Zenoni, DVM
 Deanne Strat-Zenoni, DVM
Dr. Strat-Zenoni is one of our part-time veterinarians. She is a 2003 graduate from Michigan State College of Veterinary Medicine. She loves exotic medicine, but is also certified in acupuncture and chiropractic medicine. She offers chiropractic and acupuncture medicine on Fridays as well as exotic medicine. You may also find her at the ER.
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Sweet Kermit getting some love:}
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Dana Varble, DVM joined our staff in 2011.
She received her DVM from University of Illinois in 2003 and her Zoology B.S. from Southern Illinois University in 1990. Her special interests are venomous bites and stings, exotic pets, wildlife, and zoo animals, working canines, soft tissue and non-invasive surgery techniques.
“I like to put myself in my patient’s and client’s position and use the knowledge I have to strike a balance that best serves both of them.” DV
She received her DVM from University of Illinois in 2003 and her Zoology B.S. from Southern Illinois University in 1990. Her special interests are venomous bites and stings, exotic pets, wildlife, and zoo animals, working canines, soft tissue and non-invasive surgery techniques.
“I like to put myself in my patient’s and client’s position and use the knowledge I have to strike a balance that best serves both of them.” DV
Melissa Giese, DVM
Dr. Melissa Giese was born and raised in the Chicagoland Suburbs. She graduated from the University of Illinois in 2017. Before she started college she was head volunteer of an exotic animal shelter where she worked with anything from fifteen foot long Burmese pythons to mountain lions. As additional education, Dr. Giese completed internships at Brookfield Zoo and Flint Creek Wildlife, a wildlife rehab facility handling specifically raptors.
During veterinary school Dr. Giese was involved with the wildlife medical clinic as a public relations director and executive board member along with many of the exotic species clubs on campus. She enjoyed becoming involved with the public through conducting educational programs using the wildlife clinic's resident raptors. She also wrote the school’s Pet Columns on a variety of pet related topics. She believes that client education is an incredibly important part of veterinary medicine and continues to have a passion for education.
Dr. Giese enjoys spending time with her extensive pet family including leopard geckos, a Western hognose snake, dart frogs, a crested gecko, a hedgehog, and many rescued dogs and cats. She also loves to craft, paint, make costumes, travel, and play videogames and board games.
Dr. Melissa Giese was born and raised in the Chicagoland Suburbs. She graduated from the University of Illinois in 2017. Before she started college she was head volunteer of an exotic animal shelter where she worked with anything from fifteen foot long Burmese pythons to mountain lions. As additional education, Dr. Giese completed internships at Brookfield Zoo and Flint Creek Wildlife, a wildlife rehab facility handling specifically raptors.
During veterinary school Dr. Giese was involved with the wildlife medical clinic as a public relations director and executive board member along with many of the exotic species clubs on campus. She enjoyed becoming involved with the public through conducting educational programs using the wildlife clinic's resident raptors. She also wrote the school’s Pet Columns on a variety of pet related topics. She believes that client education is an incredibly important part of veterinary medicine and continues to have a passion for education.
Dr. Giese enjoys spending time with her extensive pet family including leopard geckos, a Western hognose snake, dart frogs, a crested gecko, a hedgehog, and many rescued dogs and cats. She also loves to craft, paint, make costumes, travel, and play videogames and board games.
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Dr. Giese and one of her critters!
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Dr. Jenifer Nix
Dr. Nix grew up in Normal Illinois. Her love for exotics began when she started volunteering at the local zoo during junior high and high school. She studied biology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa during her undergraduate years, and during this time, she volunteered at the veterinary clinic at the Honolulu Zoo. She went on to study veterinary medicine at Massey University in Palmerston North, New Zealand. During her final year of veterinary school, Dr. Nix did an externship at her school’s wildlife hospital, where she worked with kiwi, takahe, kea, and other New Zealand Native birds. She also was able to come home to Illinois for some of her rotations, and she did an externship at Brookfield Zoo. Dr. Nix graduated in 2013 and had worked with cats, dogs, and exotics in general practice prior to joining Chicago Exotics. She had also volunteered at the Tucson Wildlife Center and Arizona Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona.
Dr. Nix loves all exotic creatures, but she has a special interest in aquatic animals. She is a member of AVMA, the American Association of Fish Veterinarians (AAFV), and the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association (WAVMA). She is passionate about helping others appreciate the joys of good fishkeeping and teaching about the importance of good animal welfare. She currently does not have fish of her own but has kept many in the past and would like to have a tropical fish room someday. She currently shares her life with her little dog, two degus, and two guinea pigs.
Dr. Nix grew up in Normal Illinois. Her love for exotics began when she started volunteering at the local zoo during junior high and high school. She studied biology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa during her undergraduate years, and during this time, she volunteered at the veterinary clinic at the Honolulu Zoo. She went on to study veterinary medicine at Massey University in Palmerston North, New Zealand. During her final year of veterinary school, Dr. Nix did an externship at her school’s wildlife hospital, where she worked with kiwi, takahe, kea, and other New Zealand Native birds. She also was able to come home to Illinois for some of her rotations, and she did an externship at Brookfield Zoo. Dr. Nix graduated in 2013 and had worked with cats, dogs, and exotics in general practice prior to joining Chicago Exotics. She had also volunteered at the Tucson Wildlife Center and Arizona Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona.
Dr. Nix loves all exotic creatures, but she has a special interest in aquatic animals. She is a member of AVMA, the American Association of Fish Veterinarians (AAFV), and the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association (WAVMA). She is passionate about helping others appreciate the joys of good fishkeeping and teaching about the importance of good animal welfare. She currently does not have fish of her own but has kept many in the past and would like to have a tropical fish room someday. She currently shares her life with her little dog, two degus, and two guinea pigs.
Dr. Ellen Boyd
Dr. Boyd has joined our staff as a part time veterinarian. She comes with a vast experience including ER medicine, Avian and Exotic Medicine, and teaching. She has also studied avian reproductive strategies in the wild out in Washington state. She loves all things poultry and has a small chicken flock of her own.
Dr. Boyd has joined our staff as a part time veterinarian. She comes with a vast experience including ER medicine, Avian and Exotic Medicine, and teaching. She has also studied avian reproductive strategies in the wild out in Washington state. She loves all things poultry and has a small chicken flock of her own.
Dr. Jessica Bazzarre Byerly
Dr. Jessica Byerly grew up in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. She always had a fascination with small mammals such as rats, hamsters, and guinea pigs, even as a small child. She graduated with a BA in Biology and English from Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA in 2011. As an undergraduate, she did an internship at Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington, IL, and studied abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France. She is proficient in French.
Dr. Byerly graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. In vet school, she was the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians Chair for the Non-Traditional Species Club, served as a team leader and secretary for the Wildlife Medical Clinic, and was president of the Behavior Club. During vet school, she did externships at Brookfield Zoo, Chicagoland Veterinary Behavior Consultants, and here at Chicago Exotics! Prior to joining the team at Chicago Exotics, she worked at a mixed dog, cat, and exotic animal practice and enjoyed doing exotic pet educational talks for the local radio station. Her special interests include small exotic mammal medicine, internal medicine, and animal behavior. She loves guinea pigs!
In her spare time, Dr. Byerly enjoys reading, playing board games, attending live theatre, going to Zumba classes, watching movies, studying foreign languages, and traveling. She also loves spending as much time as possible with her guinea pigs and her human family members.
Dr. Jessica Byerly grew up in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. She always had a fascination with small mammals such as rats, hamsters, and guinea pigs, even as a small child. She graduated with a BA in Biology and English from Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA in 2011. As an undergraduate, she did an internship at Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington, IL, and studied abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France. She is proficient in French.
Dr. Byerly graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. In vet school, she was the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians Chair for the Non-Traditional Species Club, served as a team leader and secretary for the Wildlife Medical Clinic, and was president of the Behavior Club. During vet school, she did externships at Brookfield Zoo, Chicagoland Veterinary Behavior Consultants, and here at Chicago Exotics! Prior to joining the team at Chicago Exotics, she worked at a mixed dog, cat, and exotic animal practice and enjoyed doing exotic pet educational talks for the local radio station. Her special interests include small exotic mammal medicine, internal medicine, and animal behavior. She loves guinea pigs!
In her spare time, Dr. Byerly enjoys reading, playing board games, attending live theatre, going to Zumba classes, watching movies, studying foreign languages, and traveling. She also loves spending as much time as possible with her guinea pigs and her human family members.
Rachel
Rachel with a kinkajou
Rachel is our Assistant Hospital Manager. She is very interested in many aspects of animal care especially animal behavior. She keeps us well inventoried and moving like a well-oiled machine in back!
Kelly
Kelly comes with lots of avian experience. She also loves rabbits and guinea pigs. She is definitely the animal whisperer in our group.
Kelly is our bird whisperer. If you need a bird to eat, she can make it happen!
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Pictured here are Kelly's son and Kim's Daughter.
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Katie with a heavily sedated raccoon!
Katie, CVT
Katie is one of our full time CVTs! She owns a yellow headed amazon and loves all aspects of exotic animal medicine. She is working on her exotic animal specialty certificate and is already certified in fear free training for our avian patients.
Katie is one of our full time CVTs! She owns a yellow headed amazon and loves all aspects of exotic animal medicine. She is working on her exotic animal specialty certificate and is already certified in fear free training for our avian patients.
Jessica Jessica and panther chameleon
Jessica has been a technician with Chicago Exotics for a very long time. She is our crowned guinea pig master! She enjoys all exotics of course and keeps very much up to date with continuing education on our special species.
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Emily
Emily is a full-time technician with a background in caring for all species. She has worked in all sorts of pet stores and animal shelters; she even ran her own little pet sitting business. Emily is especially fascinated by reptiles but adores all critters!
Emily is a full-time technician with a background in caring for all species. She has worked in all sorts of pet stores and animal shelters; she even ran her own little pet sitting business. Emily is especially fascinated by reptiles but adores all critters!
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Brittany
Brittany brings calm energy to our front reception area and to our back technician squad! She is studying to become a CVT. She is also a pet sitter! |
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Kelly S
Kelly joins our team as a technician with lots of experience but also excited to learn more in the exotic world. She loves her chinchillas and also her ball python! She also has a fantastic pond that she takes care of.
Kelly joins our team as a technician with lots of experience but also excited to learn more in the exotic world. She loves her chinchillas and also her ball python! She also has a fantastic pond that she takes care of.
Vanessa
Venessa comes to us with a background of being a zookeeper. She currently is also working at Brookfield Zoo in the bird department. She has a kind and gentle way with the animals. She enjoys working with all kinds of animals!
Venessa comes to us with a background of being a zookeeper. She currently is also working at Brookfield Zoo in the bird department. She has a kind and gentle way with the animals. She enjoys working with all kinds of animals!
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Lexi D
Lexi joins us with lots of dog and cat ER experience. She loves exotic animal medicine. She brings good energy to our workdays! 
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Lauren
Lauren is our newest employee. She comes with exotic pet know how and lots of helpful ideas. Please give her a warm welcome!
Lauren is our newest employee. She comes with exotic pet know how and lots of helpful ideas. Please give her a warm welcome!
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Kim Kim with a green iguana
Kim is our Assistant Office Manager. She is also our Social Media Manager. She has ample experience as a technician and has zoo experience as well as a small menagerie at home. She has been with us for many years. If you have a reptile question, she is your source. She may be one of the first people you talk to when you visit, or you may see her answering your questions on our email. She is also raising a future veterinary professional!
Emilia
Emilia has just joined our practice. She will be happily greeting you and setting up your appointments at the front desk! |
Lamor Lamor
Here is our Office Manager Extrodinaire! She handles all things related to managing our office and keeping the staff hopping. We would be lost without her! She is often one of the first people you speak with. She has many years of exotics knowledge and experience. She is pictured with Steve, one of her favorite macaws!
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We can't wait to meet you!!
