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Welcome to Riser Animal Hospital, your trusted local veterinarian serving the Skokie, Illinois community.

Riser Animal Hospital boasts a team of seven dedicated doctors with a rich history of delivering top-notch small animal medicine and surgery, paired with a client-centric approach. Our staff’s genuine care and dedication to animals and their caregivers have been the cornerstone of our practice’s success.

In recognition of our unwavering commitment to excellence, we are proud recipients of an award from the American Animal Hospital Association for 50 years of continuous membership. With over 70 years of serving our community, Riser Animal Hospital maintains the highest level of certification, reflecting our enduring dedication to upholding the highest standards of veterinary care.

As an accredited AAHA member, Riser Animal Hospital adheres to the association’s rigorous standards of quality veterinary care. Our facility undergoes regular evaluations by trained AAHA professionals to ensure that we consistently meet these standards and provide the best possible care for your furry companions. These standards encompass every aspect of our practice, from surgical and dentistry protocols to pain management, patient care, medical recordkeeping, and staff training.

Rest assured that at Riser Animal Hospital, your pets receive the highest standard of care. We are committed to maintaining these standards through ongoing evaluation every four years, ensuring that we continue to exceed expectations and provide unparalleled veterinary services to our valued clients and their beloved pets

Our History & Commitment to Excellence

The history of Riser Animal Hospital traces back to 1950, when Dr. Wayne Riser, DVM established the practice with a visionary goal: to create one of the earliest state-of-the-art animal hospitals grounded in advanced medicine, rigorous standards, and compassionate care.

Dr. Riser was a true pioneer in veterinary medicine. He played a pivotal role in the founding of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and focused his research on hip dysplasia and histopathology — work that continues to influence the profession today and is still referenced in modern veterinary publications. From the very beginning, Riser Animal Hospital was built on innovation, accountability, and excellence.

Initially operating as a solo practitioner, Dr. Riser attracted exceptional veterinarians who carried forward his legacy. In the 1960s, Dr. Chuck Olt assumed ownership, later joined by Dr. Edna Guibor — one of the first female veterinarians in the United States. A trailblazer in the profession, Dr. Guibor was known for her leadership, compassion, and deep dedication to both people and animals, helping shape the culture of care that continues to define Riser today.

Dr. Thomas Russel later continued that tradition of leadership, welcoming colleagues including Dr. Riley and Dr. Emil Baukert into the practice. Dr. Baukert began at Riser as a veterinary student in 1973 and returned as a veterinarian in 1977. He became a respected leader within professional veterinary associations and was widely recognized for his contributions to disaster preparedness, animal welfare, and strengthening the human-animal bond. He also played a key role in establishing and operating the Chicago Veterinary Pet Loss Helpline.

In 2015, Dr. Baukert transitioned ownership of Riser Animal Hospital to Dr. Baksys and Dr. Sutkay. Under their stewardship, the hospital underwent a major renovation in 2017, creating a modern facility with seven exam rooms, a dedicated comfort room, a full in-house pharmacy, advanced laboratory capabilities, and updated treatment, surgical, and dental suites — all designed with both medical excellence and client comfort in mind.

A Legacy Rooted in AAHA Excellence

Riser’s commitment to AAHA standards is foundational and enduring. From Dr. Riser’s early involvement in AAHA’s formation to our continued dedication today, national benchmarks have always guided our practice.

AAHA accreditation is voluntary and represents one of the highest distinctions in veterinary medicine. Hospitals must meet rigorous national standards in anesthesia monitoring, pain management, surgery, radiology, patient safety, and medical recordkeeping. Fewer than 15% of animal hospitals in the United States achieve and maintain this accreditation.

For our team, AAHA accreditation is not simply a credential — it is a daily promise. We continuously evaluate protocols, invest in continuing education, and hold ourselves accountable to national standards so that every pet receives safe, comprehensive, and exceptional care.

National Recognition in 2025

In 2025, Riser Animal Hospital was honored to be named one of the Top Animal Hospitals in America by both Newsweek and USA Today.

🔗 Newsweek – America’s Best Animal Hospitals 2025 (Illinois List)
https://rankings.newsweek.com/americas-best-animal-hospitals-2025/illinois

🔗 USA Today – Best Veterinary Hospitals of 2025
https://www.usatoday.com

These prestigious recognitions reflect more than seventy years of dedication to high-level medicine, compassionate care, and unwavering commitment to pets and their families.

As one of the largest and most established veterinary hospitals in North Chicago, Riser continues to be locally led and guided by experienced veterinarians, allowing us to focus on thoughtful, individualized care for every patient and family we serve.

Awards are meaningful — but the trust placed in us by generations of families is what defines us most.

More than seventy years later, Riser Animal Hospital remains a beacon of quality veterinary care — grounded in history, guided by standards, and driven by heart.