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Meet Our Team
Our Approach to Veterinary Care in Highland Park, IL
Welcome to Pets4Life Animal Hospital, where our highly experienced vets provide the highest level of veterinary care to your pets in a professional and friendly environment. We treat your pets like family, and our top priority is your pet’s overall health and well-being.
Our professional vet team seeks to provide the best possible medical, surgical, hospital, preventive and dental care for our highly-valued patients. We value communication, compassion, honesty and education with our pet owners — to help you make the best health care decisions for your beloved pets.
Dr. Joseph DeSa DVM
Dr. DeSa serves as the Chief Medical Director of Pets4Life Highland Park Animal Hospital. Prior to joining Pets4Life, Dr. DeSa held the following positions:
- VCA Schaumburg Animal Hospital: Medical Director (2019–8/2023); Associate Veterinarian (2017-2019)
- Schaumburg Veterinary Hospital: Associate Veterinarian (2015-2017)
- Schaumburg Animal Hospital: Veterinary Technician (2013-2014)
- Wheeling Animal Hospital: Veterinary Technician (2012-2014)
- Medical Zoo Animal Hospital: Veterinary Technician (2006-2008)
- Dr DeSa has also served as a Relief Vet at various hospitals.
Dr. DeSa grew up in the Dominican Republic and found his passion for veterinary medicine at his first job as a veterinary technician after volunteering throughout the summer in a small animal hospital. While pursuing his veterinary degree, his doctorate thesis focused on comparing variables associated to canine arterial hypertension. As part of his veterinary clinical year at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he completed an externship focused on anesthesia and pain management.
Dr. DeSa enjoys spending time with his wife and family and talking in Spanglish with his dogs Henry, Mia and Watson.
Dr. Gabrielle Saguil Federle
Dr. Federle serves as Associate Veterinarian of Pets4Life Highland Park Animal Hospital. Prior to joining Pets4Life, Dr. Federle held the following positions:
- VCA Schaumburg Animal Hospital: Veterinary Technician (2017-2018)
- Natural Healing Whole Dog Wellness: Hydrotherapy Technician (2016-2017)
- Fox Valley Wildlife Center: Intern (2015)
- The Whole Pet: Veterinary Technician Assistant (2014)
After completing her Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science at Illinois State University, she went on to earn her Doctorate Degree in Veterinary Medicine from St. Matthew's University on Grand Cayman. Dr. Federle engaged in various fields of Veterinary Medicine, gaining invaluable experiences at a holistic animal clinic, a wildlife rehabilitation center and a hydrotherapy center. These diverse experiences have shaped her into a well-rounded professional with a comprehensive understanding of veterinary practices.
Dr. Federle was born and raised in Illinois. Her childhood dog, Perry, and her parents, both of whom are medical professionals, played pivotal roles in shaping her passion for medicine and animals. Dr. Federle values quality time with her family and friends, including her husband, Anthony, her son, Ayden, and their two beloved dogs, Ellie and Rizzo.
Amanda Scott
Amanda serves as a Veterinary Technician/Practice Manager of Pets4Life Animal Hospital of Highland Park. Prior to joining Pets4Life, Mrs. Scott held the following positions:
- Private Animal Hospital in Des Plaines, Lead Technician/Practice Manager (2017-2023)
- Private Animal Hospital in Des Plaines, Veterinary Assistant (2007-2017)
Mrs. Scott has been in the field of veterinary medicine for over 16 years and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of Illinois Chicago.
Amanda finds reading and exercise to be great forms of self-care. Outside of work, she keeps busy with her husband, two sons, two dogs and two cats. They enjoy watching movies, going camping and hanging out around the pool.
Gerardo Acevedo
Coming Soon!
Affiliates
We have also partnered with various veterinary affiliates, including Dr. Kwan, to provide the best-in-class expertise for unique and complex medical needs.
Dr. Toni Kwan
Pets4Life has affiliated with Dr. Toni Kwan, a board certified small animal surgeon who has been in specialty surgery practice since 2012. She completed her veterinary degree at the University of Illinois, then a one year rotating internship at Purdue University, and then a 3-year, post-graduate surgical residency at North Carolina State University, where she was also introduced to exotic species surgery through the local zoo program and Duke University's Lemur Center. Dr. Kwan enjoys volunteering with Brookfield Zoo to perform specialized surgeries on a wide variety of species, many of them endangered.
