Veterinarians

We invite you to explore the biographies of our doctors and learn more about them. Our doctors have a wide variety of backgrounds and interests.

Duane T. Dust
- Duane T. Dust
Duane T. Dust
Medical Director
Veterinary School: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Dr. Dust graduated from the University of Illinois in 1981. He has been part owner of Heritage Animal Hospital since 1987 and partnered with VCA in 2001. He has a wife and 3 children.
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Kara Spoerer
- Kara Spoerer
Kara Spoerer
Associate Veterinarian
Veterinary School: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Dr. Spoerer completed her undergraduate and Veterinary Medicine degrees from the University of Illinois. She practiced small animal medicine in and around the Chicago suburbs for 2 1/2 years before moving ...
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Nancy Rhodes
- Nancy Rhodes
Nancy Rhodes
Associate Veterinarian
Veterinary School: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Dr. Rhodes graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 2001 and then completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Michigan State Veterinary Teaching Hospital. From there she has ...
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Patricia McElroy
- Patricia McElroy
Patricia McElroy
Associate Veterinarian
Veterinary School: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Dr. McElroy is from the Chicago land area moving here to attend the University of Illinois. She found herself enjoying 'small town' living and moved to Urbana permanently after graduation. She ...
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Our Team

Specialty Care

Sometimes sick or injured pets need the care of a veterinary medical specialist. When that happens, VCA specialty hospitals work closely with the general practitioner veterinarians who refer cases to us in order to provide seamless veterinary care to your pet. When your pet is facing any kind of serious illness or injury, our specialty referral hospitals will provide the compassionate and expert care your beloved pet needs.

Our goal is to make sure that when you and your pet are in need that you have access to board certified specialists who are up to date on the very latest developments in their field. In our state of the art hospitals, our specialists also have access to the most sophisticated diagnostic and treatment tools and techniques from ultrasonography and endoscopy to CAT scans and even MRI.

We have over 40 specialty hospitals across the US so there may be one near you. Our specialized services include: behavior, cardiology, critical care, dentistry, dermatology, integrative medicine, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, radiology, rehabilitation, reproduction, and surgery.