Welcome to Locally Grown! Locally Grown introduces you to the people and stories behind Local Lake County businesses. Today it is our pleasure to introduce you to Jami-Lyn Derse, DVM, owner of Veterinary Housecall Care, LLC, which serves Lake and Cook County.
Count on a mom to start a business that serves everyone well, and one that is especially convenient for parents of young children. Dr. Derse and Veterinary Housecall Care comes to you to treat your pet in your home. Dr. Jami-Lyn Derse began her career in emergency veterinary care before she had her daughter, Juliana, now three years old. After her daughter’s arrival, she decided to make a career change. With her years of experience in a traditional veterinary care environment, she realized that there was another way to see patients–in their own homes.
Many animals become stressed or agitated by a visit to the vet’s office or the travel it takes to get there. Even if you have a happy-go-lucky pup who loves the trip out of the house, it can be quite the adventure, especially with kids in tow. Simple procedures like a nail trim or even routine vaccines can result in a traumatic experience for everyone involved. Veterinary Housecall Care is the solution to that problem–it’s such a simple answer that it leaves me wondering why there aren’t more house call vets around. Later on this month I will share more with you about Veterinary Housecall Care and the services offered. But for now, I’d like to tell you more about Dr. Derse.
Jami-Lyn received a B.S. in Biology and Zoology from University of Wisconsin-Madison, and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Ross University of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, West Indies. While in vet school in St. Kitts she met her husband, who also works as a veterinarian in the Chicagoland area. Jami-Lyn completed her clinical rotations at the University of Minnesota, then settled down in the northern suburbs with her husband. She shares her home with a German Shorthaired Pointer, Emma, a Golden Retriever, Birdie, and two tabby cats, Brinley and Socks, and of course, her daughter Juliana.
Jami-Lyn grew up in the Killdeer area, and says she always planned to return to Lake County after completing school. She fondly recalls spending time at Paulus Park in Lake Zurich as a kid. Along with her family, Jami-Lyn visits Independence Grove in Libertyville often. They enjoy the beach, trails, and playground there. Jami-Lynalso spends a lot of time at the Adler Pool in the summer with her daughter. She enjoys shopping and dining in downtown Libertyville. Another favorite activity for the Derse family is to visit the Chicago Botanic Gardens.
Jami-Lyn has been featured on various television, radio, print, and online media outlets, including WGN and Fox News. She belongs to both the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society and the American Veterinary Medical Association. She continues to fill emergency and critical care doctor rotations at specialty and emergency animal hospitals in Chicago and the northern suburbs, in addition to her own practice. Dr. Derse also works with local dog rescue groups regarding breed-specific topics.
Although she does miss the emergency room environment, Jami-Lyn loves the interactions she has with her clients and patients, and enjoys the freedom her house call practice provides, especially at this time in her daughter’s life. Because she sees patients seven days a week, she is able to accommodate the schedules of her clients, and she is also able to make a schedule that works for her family, too.
Next week Dr. Derse steps in as guest editor with her calendar picks, and later this month I’ll share about my dog’s visit with her, and more about Veterinary Housecall Services.
Dr. Derse is offering 20% off one physical exam/house call visit to Little Lake County Readers, just make sure to mention the Locally Grown feature when you schedule your appointment.
Veterinary Housecall Care, LLC
847-672-7737 | Facebook
Available By Appointment 7 Days A Week
Disclosure: Veterinary Housecall Care, LLC is our featured Locally Grown Business of the Month. This series of features is part of a paid partnership with Little Lake County. Contact littlelakecounty[at]gmail[dot]com if you are interested in featuring your own locally-owned business in our monthly series.
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