Veterinarians
Deborah Schelkopf, DVM — Owner, Small Animal Veterinarian
Dr. Deborah Schelkopf started with Bethany Animal Hospital in 1978 as the only small animal veterinarian. Since then, Dr. Schelkopf has grown the two doctor part-time companion animal portion of the practice to what it is today: A highly respected five doctor practice with deep ties to the community. She was also instrumental in designing the current hospital layout, which opened in 1979. In 1980, she strived for and achieved the prestigious American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accreditation.
Dr. Schelkopf has spent her entire career with Bethany Animal Hospital and currently practices general small animal medicine in addition to performing management responsibilities. Her special interests are internal medicine, clinical pathology, client education and rehabilitation medicine. She is a past member of the DeKalb County Board of health and a current member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Illinois Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Animal Hospital Association. Her philosophy of a high standard of care, continuing education and client services continue to be the foundation of Bethany Animal Hospital.
Dr. Schelkopf has three children. Her eldest, Chris, is also a veterinarian; her middle child, Anna, began veterinary school in the fall of 2011; and Collin, her youngest, is a junior in high school. She also cares for two Labradors, Riley and Ginny; two cats, Ronald and Mew; and a Guinea pig named Prune. Her favorite pastimes are reading, gardening and anything that involves the outdoors!
Carlos E. Dominguez — Small Animal Veterinarian
Dr. Carlos E. Dominguez is a General Practitioner who has been with Bethany Animal Hospital since January of 2000.
A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Dr. Dominguez says that as a kid, “I was always the member of my family who wanted to bring a stray home, and in Puerto Rico, we had a ton of strays roaming the streets.” He goes on to add that one of the early influences guiding him toward a veterinary career was his family’s veterinarian, “He was a great mentor and as a kid I was always impressed by how he handled my dad’s not-so-nice German Shepherd.”
For his undergraduate studies, Dr. Dominguez enrolled in Kansas State University where he consistently earned academic recognition on the University’s Dean’s List. He graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Associates’ degrees in Animal Science and Animal Nutrition. That fall, he entered Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine where he received the George W. Catt Memorial Scholarship. In 1991, he graduated with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Dominguez’s areas of special professional interest include orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, small animal and exotic medicine and pain management. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, and the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association. He also holds continuing education certification in Pain Management.
Dr. Dominguez is married to Kim, a Registered Nurse, and they have seven children between them from previous marriages. “I brought four and she brought three to our blended household,” he says. Luke, Ben, and Alex (the only girl) are all in college. Erik and Marcus are in high school. Javier is in junior high school and Manuel is in grade school.
The family also cares for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Tessa and an orange Tabby cat named Madjai. Dr. Dominguez’s interests include sports, reading, and a deep love for music, mostly jazz.
LeAnn Gruber, DVM — Small Animal Veterinarian
Dr. LeAnn Gruber is a General Practitioner who began her veterinary career at Bethany Animal Hospital shortly after graduating from the University of Illinois’ College of Veterinary Medicine in June of 2001.
A native of New Lenox, Illinois, Dr. Gruber began working in the animal care field in 1988 when she started working at a local veterinary hospital during her summer vacations. She continued with this through high school and then college to earn some extra money for school and to gain valuable experience. In all, she witnessed firsthand nearly every aspect of the inner workings of an animal hospital; from the kennel to front desk to examination rooms as a veterinarian’s assistant.
Dr. Gruber attended Western Illinois University for her undergraduate studies where she managed to consistently earn Dean’s List recognition and induction into the Biological Honor Society. In 1997, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. That fall, she entered veterinary school where once again she consistently earned Dean’s List recognition and won a Merck Veterinary Award. In 2001, she received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Gruber’s areas of particular professional interest are ophthalmology, dermatology, and soft tissue surgery. She is a member of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Animal Hospital Association.
At home, Dr. Gruber and her husband—Carl, a farmer—have welcomed the newest addition to their family, a daughter named Samantha born in April of 2011. They also care for two cats named Reggie and Eli, a German Shepherd named Sheba and a parakeet named Billy. Her interests include baking, crafts, bowling, softball, and gardening. Dr. Gruber is also a "Relay for Life" participant and team captain.
Kathy M. Clement, DVM — Small Animal Veterinarian
Associate veterinarian Dr. Kathy M. Clement joined Bethany Animal Hospital in April 2008. She attended Southern Illinois University and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1986. In 1994, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign awarded Dr. Clement her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. She counts feline medicine among her veterinary professional interests and is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners.
Dr. Clement has four cats named Orange, Kitty, Sun Shine and Goblin. Her hobbies include gardening, jogging, biking, watercolor painting, colored pencil drawing and quilting.
Heather Brown, DVM — Small Animal Veterinarian
Having grown up in Buffalo, New York and northern New Jersey, Dr. Heather Brown moved to Illinois with her family in 2004. She graduated from Clemson University in South Carolina with a degree in animal and veterinary sciences in 2006, and continued on to the University of Illinois, where she received her DVM degree in 2010. She is very excited to be part of the staff at Bethany Animal Hospital.
Dr. Brown is a small animal practitioner with a specific interest in dermatology, companion animal medicine, and exotic animal medicine. In her spare time, Dr. Brown teaches religious education to high school students at her church. She is also an avid sports enthusiast who plays softball and swims. Along with spending time with family and friends, Dr. Brown is always ready to play with her dog, Penny.