Business Details
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Partner for Veterinary Care in Chicago
At Companion Animal Hospital River North, we are deeply committed to preserving the health and happiness of pets while fostering the human-animal bond. Our practice is built on Fear Free methods and Cat Friendly certification, ensuring pets experience minimal stress during visits. We collaborate with local rescues to provide care for animals in need and help them find forever homes. As an AAHA-accredited hospital, we adhere to the highest industry standards, offering comprehensive services including wellness exams, vaccinations, dental care, surgery, and specialized boarding.Our team combines extensive experience with a passion for animal welfare, delivering personalized care tailored to each pet's unique needs. We prioritize client education, empowering owners to make informed decisions about their pets' health. From routine checkups to emergency interventions, our goal is to ensure every pet receives compassionate, high-quality medical attention throughout their life stages.
Services
Wellness Exams
Vaccinations
Dental Care
Cat Boarding
Dog Daycare
Pet Surgery
Dermatology
Diagnostics
Education
Pain Management
Highlights and features
- We are AAHA-accredited, meeting the highest industry standards for veterinary care
- Our Fear Free certified team minimizes stress during pet visits
- Cat Friendly certified practice with specialized feline amenities
- Experienced veterinarians handle complex cases including cruciate ligament repair
- 24/7 emergency support for urgent pet care needs
Associations and certifications
- AAHA
What people say
Exceptional emergency care
Knowledgeable compassionate staff
Clean welcoming environment
Personalized pet attention
Excellent follow-up communication
Services
Wellness Exams
Our comprehensive wellness exams detect early health issues and maintain preventive care. We perform nose-to-tail physicals, monitor vital signs, and recommend age-appropriate vaccines. Puppies/kittens receive developmental guidance while seniors get specialized arthritis screening. Parasite prevention plans protect against fleas, ticks, and heartworms. Regular exams ensure pets maintain optimal health throughout their lives.
Vaccinations
We provide core vaccines like rabies and distemper alongside lifestyle-based options for Lyme disease and kennel cough. Our veterinarians create customized vaccination schedules considering each pet's age, breed, travel habits, and social behavior. All vaccines meet AAHA standards while minimizing over-vaccination through titer testing alternatives for established patients.
Dental Care
Professional dental cleanings remove plaque above and below gum lines under anesthesia. We perform full-mouth X-rays to detect hidden tooth damage. Pre-dental bloodwork ensures patient safety while post-op pain management supports recovery. Home care guidance prevents future periodontal disease that could affect heart and kidney health.
Cat Boarding
Our Cat Friendly certified boarding facility features quiet climate-controlled condos with soft-close doors. Spayed/neutered cats enjoy daily monitoring by veterinary staff while maintaining parasite prevention protocols. The lower-level location minimizes stress through reduced noise exposure compared to traditional kennel environments.
Pet Surgery
We perform spays/neuters, tumor removals, bladder stone extractions, and cruciate ligament repairs using modern anesthetic monitoring. Pre-surgical blood tests assess organ function while multi-modal pain control includes local blocks and take-home medications. Post-op follow-ups ensure proper healing for procedures ranging from routine to complex abdominal surgeries.
People
Dr. Courville
Veterinarian
Dr. Courville combines extensive clinical experience with compassionate care, specializing in stress-free feline examinations. She develops personalized wellness plans while maintaining strong client communication about treatment options and pet behavior concerns.
Dr. Kaya Bryant
Veterinarian
Dr. Kaya Bryant specializes in urgent care and surgical interventions, providing same-day treatment for acute injuries. Her expertise includes soft-tissue surgery and post-operative rehabilitation planning for dogs with orthopedic conditions.
Dr. Archer
Veterinarian
Dr. Archer focuses on exotic pet medicine and client education, offering specialized care for small mammals and pocket pets. She emphasizes preventive nutrition counseling and behavioral enrichment strategies during wellness visits.
Questions
What veterinary services do you offer?
We provide wellness exams, vaccinations, dental care, surgery, cat boarding, dog daycare, dermatology, diagnostics, and pain management. Our Fear Free approach minimizes pet stress during visits.
Are you AAHA accredited?
Yes, we maintain AAHA accreditation through regular evaluations of medical protocols, equipment standards, and staff training programs to ensure high-quality veterinary care.
Do you handle pet emergencies?
We accept same-day appointments for urgent issues like injuries, vomiting/diarrhea, and breathing difficulties. Our team provides immediate stabilization and diagnostic testing for critical cases.
What cat boarding amenities are available?
Our Cat Friendly certified boarding includes climate-controlled condos in a quiet lower-level location with daily health monitoring. We require spay/neuter and up-to-date vaccinations for all boarding guests.
How do you reduce pet anxiety during visits?
We implement Fear Free methods including pheromone diffusers, gentle handling techniques, and optional sedation for highly stressed animals. Separate waiting areas minimize dog-cat interactions to create calmer experiences.
Reviews (5)
Lindsay Sherman
Dec 17, 2021
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If I had listened to the first vet here my cat would have died. We got switched to another vet when I insisted on bringing my cat back to be seen. Then, two times in a row I was sent home with half of the medication that was prescribed and I PAID FOR. It was only because I looked at discharge instructions and emails that my cat got the medication she was supposed to get. I was promised management would call after the second time in a row I had to return here after just leaving. Guess who I never heard from? Management. Once my cat has her follow up from the vet that actually helped her, Im done
Kriztine Ballarini
Dec 14, 2021
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Critical:Quality
This is the second time i brought him here for the grooming service. The first time was really great, not sure what happened this time. The hair behind his back legs were very long and they needed to be trimmed, he came home with one side longer than the other, like it was not professionally done!
This is the second time i brought him here for the grooming service. The first time was really great, not sure what happened this time. The hair behind his back legs were very long and they needed to be trimmed, he came home with one side longer than the other, like it was not professionally done!
Erika P.
Dec 10, 2021
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Came here to do a check-up for my Roborovski Hamster after we got him. The exotics vet, Dr. Archer, was very gentle when handling him and she was super knowledgeable and gave us amazing information, tips, and recommendations. Plus, when we first walked in to the hospital we received a very warm welcome from the staff and we were so surprised! They were so excited to have a hamster patient :)
Aimee I.
Dec 08, 2021
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I absolutely love it here. I had a previous vet in the city before moving closer to Companion and decided to try it out when my cat had an ulcer in her lip. Super informative vet, tech was so nice, they handle the animals just like you would as the owner and they know what they're doing. It's honestly such a relief since my cat has horrible anxiety and it's hard on both of us to take her to the vet. They only do what's necessary and I just really adore all the people there. Every time I've gone I've left feeling great about my cats care. Thank you Companion!
Emily Coughlin
Dec 04, 2021
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The people at companion animal hospital are very kind! My puppy is always actually happy to be there and theyre all so sweet to her even when shes acting a little nutty.
Theyre fine as long as you remember that they are a business first! They will try to sell you something extra nearly every trip. Whether its $200 worth of medication for a minor bacterial infection (which I later looked into online and realized I made a huge mistake buying alllll of that stuff from them) or a follow up appointment where they will literally look at your dog for two minutes and then slap you with a
Theyre fine as long as you remember that they are a business first! They will try to sell you something extra nearly every trip. Whether its $200 worth of medication for a minor bacterial infection (which I later looked into online and realized I made a huge mistake buying alllll of that stuff from them) or a follow up appointment where they will literally look at your dog for two minutes and then slap you with a
