Business Details
12 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Chicago's Premier Pet Care Provider Since 2014
Oz Animal Hospital was founded on the principle that every pet deserves compassionate, personalized care tailored to their unique needs. For over a decade, we have built a reputation as Chicagos premier pet care provider by combining advanced veterinary technology with a deep commitment to community values. Our team of experienced veterinarians and technicians prioritizes preventative medicine while maintaining expertise in diagnostics, surgery, and emergency care. We distinguish ourselves through our Fear-Free Certified approach, which emphasizes low-stress handling techniques to create positive experiences for both pets and owners.As an AAHA-accredited and Cat Friendly Practice, we adhere to the highest standards of veterinary excellence while maintaining a family-owned atmosphere that corporate hospitals cannot replicate. Our investment in cutting-edge diagnostic tools ensures accurate, timely care, and our transparent communication policy empowers clients to make informed decisions about their pets health. With three convenient Chicago locations, we remain dedicated to delivering exceptional veterinary care that reflects our founders vision of medicine as partnership rather than transaction.
Services
Urgent Care
Examinations
Vaccines
Dentistry
Surgery
Laboratory
Pharmacy
Radiology
Microchipping
Ophthalmology
Details
- Year established: 2014
Highlights and features
- We hold dual AAHA accreditation and Cat Friendly certification
- Our Fear-Free Certified approach minimizes pet stress
- Personalized treatment plans developed over 1+ hour appointments
- Three convenient Chicago locations with extended weekday hours
- Veterinary team with combined 50+ years of clinical experience
Associations and certifications
- AAHA
- Cat Friendly Practice
What people say
Exceptional care
Knowledgeable doctors
Charming atmosphere
Friendly staff
Calm vibe
Services
Urgent Care
Our AAHA-accredited urgent care services address pet emergencies during regular business hours. With three Chicago locations offering same-day appointments, we provide immediate treatment for injuries, ingestion incidents, and acute medical conditions. Our veterinary team utilizes in-house diagnostics and maintains relationships with specialty hospitals for complex cases requiring overnight care.
Dentistry
We offer comprehensive dental services including full-mouth x-rays, ultrasonic cleaning, and periodontal treatment. Our surgical suite addresses tooth extractions and root canal therapy while maintaining strict anesthesia monitoring protocols. Preventative education focuses on home care techniques to maintain periodontal health and prevent systemic disease associated with oral bacteria.
Surgery
Our surgical services range from routine spay/neuter procedures to complex soft-tissue surgeries. Each patient receives pre-anesthetic blood testing and continuous monitoring under the care of dedicated veterinary technicians. Specialized equipment includes ECG monitoring, heated surgical tables, and advanced pain management protocols ensuring optimal patient safety and comfort throughout the surgical process.
Examinations
Preventative wellness exams form the foundation of our care philosophy. Our 1-hour appointments allow thorough physical assessments that detect early-stage conditions before they become serious illnesses. Annual laboratory testing identifies subclinical abnormalities in up to 25% of apparently healthy pets, enabling proactive treatment interventions while maintaining affordability through customized wellness plans.
Laboratory
Our in-house laboratory provides immediate results for complete blood counts, chemistry panels, urinalysis, and fecal exams. For specialized testing, we partner with reference laboratories maintaining strict quality control standards. This diagnostic capability enables rapid treatment decisions for critical cases while supporting comprehensive health assessments through affordable annual wellness panels for all patients.
People
Dr. Tracey Maione
Founder & Medical Director
Dr. Maione established Oz Animal Hospital in 2014 after serving as Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital. A Chicago native with veterinary degrees from the University of Illinois, she specializes in advancing veterinary medicine through education and community engagement while maintaining active clinical practice.
Dr. Leah Katz
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Katz has practiced in Chicago since 2003 following veterinary degrees from Michigan State University. She focuses on creating stress-free visits for pets and owners, mentoring pre-veterinary students, and supporting animal rescue organizations. She maintains particular interest in behavioral medicine and client-centered care approaches.
Dr. Alexandra Pinhasi
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Pinhasi graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She specializes in preventative medicine and nutrition while employing fear-free handling techniques. She actively participates in community veterinary initiatives while maintaining interests in painting, knitting, and outdoor recreation.
Dr. Lauren Jakubowski
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Jakubowski joined Oz Animal Hospital full-time in 2023 after practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area. With dual degrees from the University of Illinois, she focuses on geriatric care and complex medical conditions using evidence-based approaches. She holds Fear Free Certification and specializes in low-stress patient handling.
Dr. Samuel Smith
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Smith served eight years as a US Army Veterinary Corps Officer before joining Oz Animal Hospital. His military service included care for military working dogs in Japan and Belgium. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, he specializes in dermatology and pathology while maintaining active involvement in Chicago's veterinary community.
Questions
What makes Oz Animal Hospital different from other veterinary clinics?
We combine AAHA-accredited medical excellence with personalized treatment plans and Fear-Free handling techniques in a family-owned environment that prioritizes community values.
Do you offer same-day appointments for emergencies?
Yes, our three Chicago locations provide urgent care during regular business hours with immediate access to diagnostics and emergency interventions.
How do you handle anxious or aggressive pets?
Our Fear-Free Certified team uses specialized low-stress handling techniques and maintains a calming clinic environment to minimize pet anxiety during visits.
Are your veterinary services affordable?
We offer transparent pricing with customized wellness plans and maintain competitive rates while providing advanced diagnostic capabilities and specialized care.
Do you have evening or weekend hours?
All locations operate Monday-Friday 8am-6pm and Saturday 8am-2pm, with urgent care available during regular business hours across three Chicago neighborhoods.
