Meet The Team

• Doctorate, University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, 1987
• Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dentistry, 2007
• Board Certified Veterinary Dentist^TM
• Robert Wiggs Outstanding Candidate Award, 2007
• Medical Advisory Board of Brookfield Zoo and Shedd Aquarium
• Co-author of the 2013 America Animal Hospital Association Dental Care Guidelines
• Member, American Veterinary Medical Association
• Member, American Animal Hospital Association
• Member, American Association of Feline Practitioners
• Member, Illinois Veterinary Medical Association
• Professional Publications
  • Juriga S, Manfra S.  Mineral Trioxide Aggregate for Apexification of Non-vital Premature Teeth.  Journal of Vet Dentistry 2007; Vol 24, 4: 274-77
  • Juriga S, Manfra S, Weeks S.  Endodontic Treatment of a Non-vital Permanent tooth with an Open Apex using Mineral Trioxide Aggregate. Journal of Vet Dentistry 2008; Vol 25, 3: 189-195.
  • Holmstrom SE, Bellows J, Juriga S, et al. 2013 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Journal American Animal Hospital Assoc. 2013; 49(2): 75-82.
  • Juriga S, Bilyard K. Working Dog Dentistry. In Working dogs: an update for veterinarians. Vol 51, Issue 4, July 2021 pp.779-802
  • Juriga S, Startup S. Designing and Equipping a Modern Dentistry and Oral Surgical Suite. In Veterinary dentistry and oral surgery– (in publication 2021)

WHY I DO WHAT I DO Being a veterinarian is the only thing I ever wanted to do. I grew up on a farm in Wheaton, Illinois with dogs, cats, sheep, horses, and chickens. Growing up I observed and then was recruited to help Dr. McCaslin care for our animals. In those days, he would stay for dinner after treating one of our animals and tell amazing stories.

After 15 years in general practice, I was accepted into a dental residency at the University of Illinois under board certified veterinary dentist and surgeon, Dr. Sandra Manfra. I cannot thank my wife and family enough for making it possible for me to travel to Champaign (over four years), maintain my caselogs, complete my required publications and study for dental specialty boards. Now, I have the pleasure to perform a wide variety of specialized dental and oral surgical procedures for companion animal as well as zoo/aquatic animals.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS The relationships I’ve had with my patients and their parents over 30 years have been priceless. Most recently, I was fortunate to provide oral surgery & extractions on Ramar a 50-year-old gorilla (the third oldest gorilla in captivity) at Brookfield Zoo. Ramar had heart disease and we were tasked with providing efficient oral evaluation & dental extractions, while an orthopedic surgeon performed arthroscopic knee surgery under the same anesthetic. Ramar had 3 diseased molars, received surgical extractions and made an excellent recovery. I have a finger painting from the “Big Guy” as a thank you!

THE OTHER LOVE OF MY LIFE Beyond my great wife and 4 lovely children, we have been blessed with 4 golden retrievers that exemplify the description “man’s greatest companion” (dogs). Lance joined the family as a 10-year-old Good as Gold rescue with multiple health problems. After a few months of treatment for heartworm disease, two cancer surgeries, and root canal therapy he spent 4 years mostly with our daughter Grace at college. Holiday and summer breaks were a joy with Lance. Most recently we added Sperry, a 5-year old Good as Gold Rescue that has overcome anxiety to fit in the family.

• Doctorate, Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, 1997
• Board Certified Veterinary Dentist^TM
• Member, American Veterinary Medical Society
• Member, Foundation for Veterinary Dentistry
• Member, Illinois Veterinary Medical Association

WHY I DO WHAT I DO I have always had a passion for animals and becoming a veterinarian from a very young age. As a child I read every James Herriot book I could find and in summers would spend time at my grandfather’s farm. As I got older and began working for a veterinarian I learned that even though the medicine in those James Herriot books had changed, the passion that James Herriot had for his patients was still there. Knowing that I could combine science and knowledge to help animals solidified my dreams of becoming a veterinarian.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS One of my first memorable experiences at the Veterinary Dental Center comes from a elderly dog that shared his life with a very sweet senior lady. Her beloved pet had a very large non-cancerous tumor in his mouth that could be cured, but would need involved surgery to cure him. She really struggled with decisions regarding his quality of life and his advancing “senior” age. After discussing the surgery, answering all of her questions, and showing her pictures of previous patients’ surgeries she decided to go ahead with the surgery. He did very well with surgery and went on to live a very normal life. His owner was very grateful and teared up while thanking me at his follow-up appointments, reminding me what an amazing career I have.

THE OTHER LOVE OF MY LIFE I have had many pets throughout my life and they are all memorable in various ways. One pet in particular that comes into mind on many occasions was my collie that I acquired while still in veterinary school, Keiki. He was by my side through many aspects of my life: veterinary school, graduation, new jobs, marriage, babies, and multiple moves. As a senior pet, he developed a spinal cord tumor which affected his mobility and quality of life. Up until the very end, he lived his life with passion and my love for him stays with me even to today, reminding me of the important things in life.

• Doctorate, Ross University, St. Kitts, 2008
• Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Dentistry, 2019
• Board Certified Veterinary Dentist^TM
• Member, American Veterinary Medical Association
• Member, Illinois Veterinary Medical Association

WHY I DO WHAT I DO I’m grateful to be a part of a group of caring veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and team members here at the Veterinary Dental Center who are dedicated to the care of animals and their oral health and comfort.  Similar to Drs. Juriga and Sasser, I’ve had the distinct benefit of growing up surrounded by animals and individuals who are passionate in their care of animals.  Being a part of a team that shares the goal of making life healthier and happier for pets and dental care easier for their owners feels like home to me.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS I enjoyed my first 6 years in general practice in Cincinnati, Ohio after which I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to pursue a dentistry residency through the University of Illinois where I also taught from 2014-2021.  My most rewarding experiences in my career continue to involve opportunities to apply my skills to improve the life of an animal and the extension to the pet owner that goes along with that.  Sometimes these are more dramatic events like stabilizing fractures in a patient that has sustained extensive maxillofacial trauma and other times it is simply providing options and empowering owners to make the best decision for their own pet.

THE OTHER LOVE OF MY LIFE

My husband, daughter, and I are in love with our 7-year-old Pit Bull mix, Ellie, who still loves to run after bilateral TPLO knee surgeries and failing water treadmill therapy.  The real star of our house though is our rescue cat, Oliver who makes sure that the mantle is kept clear and helps himself to anything he can get his paws on, including his favorite food, tortilla chips.

• Doctorate, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, 2021
• B.S. Animal Science, Cornell University College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, 2017 

   

   

WHY I DO WHAT I DO:

Joining the Veterinary Dental Center team allows me to combine my passion for animals and interest in dentistry and oral surgery.

I have loved animals for my entire life. Growing up I had many pets ranging from English Bulldogs to rabbits to frogs. Caring for those pets and helping them live long lives brought me joy and quickly became my passion. I knew I wanted to turn that passion into a lifelong career. At 12 years old I started shadowing and assisting our family’s veterinarian who ultimately became my mentor. Through her mentorship I decided to attend her alma mater, Ross University, for vet school.

Ross university is where I was first introduced to veterinary dentistry, but my interest has only grown since working in a primary care practice over the last 18 months. I have witnessed the difference good oral health can make in the physical and mental wellbeing of animals. I find oral surgery satisfying as it can provide discomfort relief almost immediately. I look forward to applying the knowledge I have gained through primary care practice and continue to gain through my residency training at the Veterinary Dental Center to provide your pets with quality care.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS:

*Story posted with owner’s permission* A former coworker and friend of mine inherited a senior Yorkie named Honey from her grandmother who had passed away. Honey had multiple concurrent issues such as dry eye, Lyme disease, fleas, dermatitis, and most notably, severe periodontal disease. When I first met her, she appeared uncomfortable, lethargic, and shy. We treated Honey using a long list of medications, although her demeanor and energy level only changed after we pursued her dental procedure. Nearly all of Honey’s teeth were extracted. The next morning her owner reported that she had never seen Honey eat with such excitement and ease. Since then, Honey seems to be aging backward. She is much more playful and friendly. This is a prime example of how oral health affects the daily lives of our pets!

THE OTHER LOVE OF MY LIFE:

I am absolutely obsessed with my island cat, Kirra. Kirra and her littermate were found in a garbage can as newborn kittens during Category 5 Hurricane Irma in St. Kitts. Although I had never personally owned a cat before, Kirra quickly became an important part of my life. I decided to adopt Kirra after fostering her for a few weeks. Since then she has become my personal travel buddy, living and visiting places such as St. Kitts, Chicago, Auburn, New Orleans, Nashville, and Lake Geneva. Kirra loves car rides, catching mice (and gifting them to me), playing with feathers, sleeping by the fire, and eating whipped cream. She is the sweetest. Even my dad who is “so allergic” to cats allows her to snuggle with him.

Owner and CEO (Chief Experience Officer)

“I feel very privileged to work in such an amazing and caring field. Having always been an animal lover, it only seemed natural after graduating from the University of Illinois in business, to join my husband in the veterinary profession.  After 28 years as the Hospital Administrator in general practice, it has been a fun and rewarding transition to specialty practice at Veterinary Dental Center.  I love working with our amazingly intelligent and compassionate Drs, nurses and support staff!

I am the blessed mom of four lovely kids and two adorable four-legged kids – Sperry, our adopted Golden Retriever and Mei Mei, our little Coton de Tulear as well as Carl the turtle.  I also have two grand puppies, Irie and Bear.  Over the years I have been “mom” to everything from Rosie the Rose Hair Tarantula to Harry the Rat and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle the hedgehog as well as numerous dogs that have entered my heart and never left. 

My only wish is that your experience with us at Veterinary Dental Center exceeds your expectations and that your loved one goes home a much happier, healthier pet!” – Alexandra Juriga

We are focused on exceptional pet and parent experiences. We have a State-of-the-Art facility and outstanding staff committed to the highest quality dental services in a warm/caring manner.

“I am the veterinary dental center coordinator. I am married and have 3 children and 4 wonderful granddaughters. I have a rescue dog Dodger who rules the house. When not working I love spending time with my family and our combined 10 pets!” – Cathy M.