AFA lost a dear friend and veterinarian on June 21, 2004. Kim and Mike were business partners and close friends for 13 years. Mike also served on AFA’s Board of Directors since its incorporation in 1997. He will be painfully missed on so many levels.
A Memorial Guestbook in Mike’s memory has been set up for those wish to leave a few words, or simply want to read the impact he left on the lives of others.
Dr. Kate Ball
Mokena Animal Clinic
9455 West 191st Street
Mokena, IL 60448
708-479-2811
Kate is really neat! I wish I could bottle her energy and enthusiasm and sell it, I’d be rich! Now one of our USDA vets, Kate’s come a long, long way with Animals for Awareness. She does simple mundane tasks to the unusual and complicated procedures. Kate is always willing to jump right in with both feet to help us out even after a long day’s work at the hospital. Besides her vast knowledge, perhaps the most remarkable thing about Kate is her gentleness and compassion towards both the animals and their humans. Mokena Animal Clinic, owned by Dr. Ingmire, is a beautiful building with modern equipment. The staff is friendly and polite, and they’re always eager to peek at the strange critters that accompany me. Kate’s husband, Dr. Dan Ball, is also a veterinarian who likes to get hands on experience with exotics when he can. He conveniently works at Mokena Animal Hospital as well.
Dr. Gary Soumar
Animal Emergency of Mokena
19110 South 88th Avenue
Mokena, IL 60448
708-326-4800
When I say we have an angel on our side, I truly mean it. We found a gem when we found Dr. Gary Soumar. Soft- spoken and tender, Dr. Soumar knows his stuff and is genuinely compassionate when it comes to working with the animals in his care. He didn’t hesitate to take on Animals for Awareness as his pet project when we approached him after Mike died. He gladly and most generously offered up his clinic as the place for Kate and I to do veterinary procedures for only the cost of supplies used. Let me tell you. I’ve seen his staff in action, and they’re a phenomenal bunch of people. Kindhearted. Professional. Caring. Helpful. Great with people. It’s too bad they’re only open for emergencies, but this is the place to go should you have one! We can’t thank Dr. Soumar enough for opening his heart up to Animals for Awareness. He is also one of our USDA vets. Between him and Kate, they may have very well saved the future of AFA.
Dr. Chris Johnson
Archer Veterinary Clinic
13731 S. Archer Avenue
Lemont, IL 60439
630-257-5121
We were given a real gift when we were given Dr. Johnson as a referral by a close friend one Christmas weekend. Dr. Johnson can be described as mellow fellow with a heart of gold. I took a strong liking to him the moment I saw him saunter in in his casual clothes to help with a very sick Goliath. Although we’d never met he’d squeezed us in on a holiday weekend when everyone else was either gone or unable to accommodate a big cat. Dr. Johnson saw us through our emergency. He quietly values the Mission of Animals for Awareness, charging us minimally for his services and supplies. We’ve been back on several occasions for emergencies, and he’s always taken us in no matter when it was. He’s a doll. Besides knowing his stuff, he’s incredibly thorough and compassionate. We call him our wild cat vet, because he’s the guy we go to when serious problems arise with the big boy. And when Kate and Gary are unavailable, he’s our man. We recommend him to all of our friends! You’ll love him too.
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