Meet Our Veterinary Team
Get to know our veterinary team!
Dr. Dale Ritter
DVM
Dr. Dale Ritter has been practicing veterinary medicine for 42 years. A proud graduate of Iowa State University, he brings decades of experience and a deep-rooted passion for animal care to every patient he sees.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Ritter enjoys gardening, yardwork, and staying involved in harness horse racing. He also cherishes time spent visiting his first granddaughter in Iowa.
Before pursuing a career in small animal medicine, Dr. Ritter worked with horses and even competed as a harness horse driver in Moline, Chicago, and St. Louis—earning the impressive distinction of finishing #4 in the nation among young drivers. While small animal practice is now his focus, he still enjoys driving in races whenever he can sneak away.
Dr. Coleen Fruin
DVM
Dr. Coleen Fruin is passionate about partnering with clients to provide the best possible care for their pets. She believes that veterinary medicine works best as a team effort and places a strong emphasis on client education, ensuring pet owners feel informed and confident in every aspect of their pet’s care. Coleen is also dedicated to creating a low-stress experience for both pets and their people by continually incorporating more fear-free modalities into her approach.
Dr. Fruin earned her Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology and Management from Michigan Technological University in 2014. She went on to receive her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2025, completing her clinical year at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Fruin enjoys hiking, wall climbing, reading, and traveling. She shares her home with two dogs, Sassafras, a Corgi-Beagle mix, and Rory, a Chow-Shepherd mix—as well as a cat named Del, whom she adopted while living in the Caribbean.
Chartia
Chartia “Tia” brings 11 years of industry experience to her role as Practice Manager. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Master’s degree in Business from Western Governor’s University.
Tia takes great pride in encouraging and uplifting her team. She is passionate about creating a positive, supportive environment where everyone feels motivated to grow, succeed, and bring their best to the workplace.
Outside of work, Tia loves to dance, cheer on her favorite people as a proud cheer mom and enjoy karaoke nights with friends. She is also a proud dog mom to her 11-year-old Australian Shepherd named Lovey, who loves playing catch and, of course, helping herself to anything on your plate!
Cassie
Certified Veterinary Technician
Cassie is a Certified Veterinary Technician who has been working in veterinary medicine for about two years. She graduated from Fox College in Tinley Park and is passionate about making every patient’s visit as comfortable as possible.
Knowing that a trip to the veterinarian can be unfamiliar or stressful for many pets, Cassie strives to create a calm, safe, and low-stress environment for every patient in her care. Providing comfort and compassion is especially important to her, and she enjoys helping pets feel more at ease throughout their visit.
Outside of work, Cassie enjoys spending weekends at her family’s camper, attending concerts and sporting events, and traveling whenever she gets the chance.
Fun fact: Cassie once went skiing in Alaska and almost ran into a tree!
Dominque
Certified Veterinary Technician
Dom is a Certified Veterinary Technician who has been working in veterinary medicine for three years. They graduated from Fox College and are passionate about creating positive experiences for both pets and their people.
Dom takes pride in helping clients and patients feel comfortable and at ease during their visits. They understand that veterinary care can sometimes feel stressful, so providing a welcoming, compassionate environment is an important part of the care they provide.
Outside of work, Dom enjoys reading, watching YouTube, and going to concerts.
Abe
Abraham has been working in the veterinary industry for six years. He attended Triton Junior College and takes great pride in doing his best to ensure that every client leaves with a smile and that every pet leaves feeling better than when they arrived.
Outside of work, Abraham enjoys spending time with family, including his one-year-old, as well as his extended family. Whether it’s game nights, pool parties, or relaxing around a bonfire, he loves making memories with the people he cares about.
Abraham also has a musical side and played the trumpet for eight years!
Lauren
Veterinary Assistant
Khaylan
Khaylan has been working in the veterinary industry since 2019. He graduated from Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi, and has a passion for the technical side of veterinary medicine. He especially enjoys procedures such as blood draws, catheter placements, cystocentesis, and other hands-on aspects of patient care.
Outside of work, Khaylan enjoys spending time with friends, traveling, and exploring new restaurants and foods. A fun fact about him is that he has already visited four of the seven continents!
Hailey
Hailey recently began her career in the veterinary industry. She attended Vet Tech Institute of Indiana and enjoys being able to help and support pets and their families. She is passionate about providing compassionate care and making a positive difference for both pets and the people who love them.
Outside of work, Hailey loves spending time outdoors, shopping, and getting creative with crafts.
Natalia
Natalia has been working in the veterinary industry for three years and attended Fox College. She takes great pride in advocating for her patients and being a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Her passion for animal care and dedication to their well-being shines through in everything she does.
Outside of work, Natalia loves spending time with her own pets, getting creative with crafts, and growing her pet-sitting business. She is also bilingual, which means she can love your pet in two languages!
Meghann
Customer Service Representative
Khiya
Khiya has been working in the veterinary industry for three years. She attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School and takes great pride in bringing compassion and patience to everything she does. She strives to make every client feel comfortable, welcomed, and at ease.
Outside of work, Khiya loves traveling, spending time with her family, and enjoying time with her pets. She also enjoys giving back to her community as a volunteer Bible teacher, a role that allows her to connect with and support others.
Marisol
Marisol has been working in the veterinary industry for over seven years and brings a wealth of hands-on experience to her role. She takes great pride in doing her absolute best to advocate for every patient in her care, whether they are visiting for a simple nail trim, diagnostic testing, or a procedure.
Marisol believes that advocating for patients starts with listening. She makes a point to understand each pet owner’s preferences and works to adjust the approach when a pet shows signs of stress, recognizing when a different game plan may be needed to help them feel safe and comfortable.
Outside of work, Marisol enjoys gardening, cooking, and going to the gym.