Kristin Junkas, DVM

Dr. Kristin Junkas, our Chief of Staff, grew up in Minnesota and now resides in Saint Charles, Illinois. She received her undergraduate degree at Luther College in 1992 and then attended Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, earning a DVM degree in 1996. After completing a small animal rotating medicine and surgery internship at the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Junkas performed 18 months of oncology residency training at Illinois as well. As part of her educational requirement, she published the article "Treatment of Canine Lymphoma with COPLA/LVP" in the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. Dr. Junkas then joined the staff of Melrose Park Animal Hospital in 1998 where she practiced as an associate and managing veterinarian until joining the Wright Animal Hospital team in 2005.

In order to pursue her interests in general oncology and surgery for companion animals, Dr. Junkas moved to the Chicago area. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Illinois Veterinary Medical Association, Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, American Academy of Feline Practitioners and the Veterinary Cancer Society. She participates in educating pet owners and fellow veterinarians about treating pets with cancer and is a board member and secretary of the women's Ovarian Cancer Symptom Awareness (OCSA) Organization in Chicago, for which she chairs the annual OCSA Dog Walk.

Dr. Junkas is dedicated to providing personalized care with compassion and consideration of both the owner and their pet. Her medical interests include oncology referral practice, laser and cosmetic surgery, and advanced soft tissue surgical procedures. She participates in community activities such as career days with local schools, annual topic seminars with K-9 clubs and special interest organizations.

In her spare time, Dr. Junkas loves spending time with her family, three children and her pets — a Siamese cat, mini-lop rabbit and freshwater aquarium fish. She enjoys both knitting and crocheting as well as traveling with her family.