When it comes to physical
rehabilitation, the training and experience of IPC ARTs is invaluable.
ARTs serve as the pet's coach and personal therapist and works with the
pet for therapeutic exercise, hydrotherapy, ultrasound, e-stim and
more. Our ARTs bring extensive combined experience to the table and
have backgrounds in physical therapy and veterinary technology. To stay
on top of the latest advances in rehab therapy and our patients'
progress, the ARTs participate in weekly in-house training sessions,
case meetings as well as attend seminars on rehab around the country
including the University
of Tennessee's Canine Rehabilitation Certification Program.
Doris Martinkus, CCRA*
Doris is head ART at IPC. She holds her certification as a
canine rehabilitation assistant through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute. She was head vet tech for 7 years at her previous practice and now heads up IPC's ART team.
The creatures at home... She is happily married to Brian with 3 kids... "The furry kind ... I have 'Marshall' (a mixed breed), 'Uma' (a three-legged Chihuahua) and 'Chesney' (the orange tabby). They're all rescues from PortageParkAnimalHospital."
In her free time...
Gardening with 'Uma,' long walks with the big dogs, BBQ in the yard, making jewelry, and country music concerts with her husband.
Proudest accomplishment...
Canine rehabilitation certification complete through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute!
Little known Fact... She loves NASCAR!
Doris and her littlest baby, Uma
Tiffany Johnson, CCRA*
Tiffany is a great asset to the IPC team. Her compassion and high
energy make her a fantastic therapist. She has successfully completed her certification as a canine rehabilitation
assistant! In her future she looks forward to pursuing certification in canine massage!
The creatures at home...
"I have 3 cats and a turtle. The cats are 'Fry,' who is blind and loves french fries and popcorn, 'Focker,' who likes to beg for food, and 'Quagmire,' who likes to sleep on the computer keyboard. 'Speedy' is the turtle and he likes to go outside when the weather is warm and sunny!"
In her free time...
"I love hiking, camping, reading, swimming, cooking, and traveling!!!"
Proudest of...
"Recently completing the course work through the Canine Rehab Institute for my Canine Rehab Certification!! Also, I ran the Chicago Marathon in 2006!"
Best known for...
Enthusiasm, a positive attitude, high pitched hiccups, and being head over heels in love with cats!!
Tiffany posing with IPC regular, Griffin
Analisa Martinez, CCRA*
Ana is an ART manager and has been with IPC since the early years. She holds her certification in canine rehabilitation through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute. Ana is
enthusiastic and encouraging to her patients and their owners!
Creatures at home... "I just adopted 'Reyna' from PAWS here in Chicago. She is a sweet Chihuahua mix who is just starting to come out of her shell and show everyone how sassy she is! I almost didn't get her, she was very sick and had to be in the hospital for several days so I called and checked every day until she was able to come home with me. Now we are having a great time getting to know each other!" Favorite part of the job... Learning new techniques and then applying them and seeing the results! "I love when a dog, that came to us unable to walk, comes walking into or out of our clinic for the first time! It's a fantastic feeling!" Little know fact... "I am the biggest Michigan State fan!!!! Its my alma mater and I still get excited for the games!" Best known for... "Playing tricks on my coworkers! Being loud and enthusiastic!"
Ana and her little girl, Reyna
Staci Robinson, LVT*, CVT*, CCRA*,
Staci is a certified veterinary technician who has extended that
education by graduating from the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in
2006. Staci has a "way" with felines and there is a special place in
her heart for the geriatric patients. She is a fantastic east coast
transplant to IPC!
The creatures at home... "I'm a vegan mom to two rescued kittles who came with us from Virginia, 'Milo' and 'Badger,' and one crazy mutt, 'Maeby,' who we adopted from the Anti-Cruelty society in 2008, shortly after my dog 'Leroy' passed away." The path to IPC... "After completing training at the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in 2006 I found incorporating my new skills into a busy general practice to be difficult. In 2007 I came across a job listing for an animal rehabilitation technician in Chicago, this sounded too good to be true! I've never regretted coming to IPC." Favorite part of the job... "I love hearing owners tell me, 'She jumped up on the couch for the first time in year!' or 'He can go up the stairs on his own again now.' Its wonderful to see the dedication that our clients have to their furry companions...that extends to felines as well! While it's true that cats have an independent streak and can be fussy when it comes to doing something new, that doesn't mean rehab can't work for them!" Little known facts... "I'm the therapist most likely to offer advice on vegan baking or tattoo artists, and don't be surprised if you hear a 'y'all' every once in a while. You can take the girl out of Appalachia but not vice versa!"
Staci and the very popular, Jethro
Prescribing Therapists
Emma Widmark, CCRP*
Emma is an integral part of our rehabilitation team. She prescribes
therapy and treats patients. She works one on one with our
veterinarians applying her experience from the physical therapy world to
animal rehabilitation. In addition to her certification as a canine rehabilitation therapist she has also completed her 200 hour canine massage certification course with Canine Massage Chicago and is currently working on her case studies in order to complete her certification through the NBCAAM. Emma is also a Reiki practitioner, having trained under Dr. Share Siwek.
The path to IPC... Emma has been interested in animal rehabilitation for a long time, since attending University and Physical Therapy school in Sweden. Joining the therapy team at IPC gave Emma the opportunity to combine her PT background with a love of animals. She is now a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner, having received this honor from the University of Tennessee in 2008! The creatures at home... Emma has 2 kitties at home, 'Agatha Tinker' and 'Christy Bell'...get it? Dr. Mayer found them as kittens, they were wild. Now they spend their days eating and playing with toys! Best known for... Her Swedish sense of humor and laughing at her own jokes! "I sing all the time, it drives my sister crazy!"
Emma and her patient Bella
Jeanine Freeberg, DPT*
Jeanine is a prescribing therapist at IPC. Her background in physical therapy (as a DPT) with children really benefits her here at IPC!
Creatures at home... "I have a 14 year old Westie named 'Chandler.' He is a regular at IPC these days; he's learned to sit still and be a good boy for his acupuncture and even enjoys his swims! His favorite thing in the whole world is to go for a walk, especially at the forest preserve trail (his Disneyworld) and eat liver sausage and popcorn!" Path to IPC... "I had JUST graduated from PT school and my neighbor's Great Dane had a stroke. They asked me what could be done since I worked with people in the same situation. I realized then how much rehabilitation can help animals as well as humans." In her free time... "I like to run, read, try new restaurants(my favorite is Boutique Cafe on Milwaukee Ave), explore different Chicago neighborhoods and travel. My favorite book at the moment is Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson." Proudest of... "My work with Pawsabilities Rehabilitation Assistance Fund. Its a great cause with great people!" Known for... "Emma would say speed talking!"
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