By FRED KRONER
Dr. Jane Fox loves her job as the veterinarian at Mahomet’s Hill Animal Care.
She loves her clients, some of whom are second-generation family members that utilize her expertise.
She loves her staff, some of whom have worked with her for more than two decades.
She loves a profession about which she is passionate.
“There is nothing else I could imagine doing,” Fox said.
And yet, next week – after 23 ½ years at the same location on South Division Street – Fox will report to the office for her final day of work, on Friday, Aug. 12.
If 2017 hadn’t happened, she might not have made that decision.
In September of 2017, Fox lost her husband, Daniel Fox, whose passing occurred seven weeks after he became ill.
“That same year, I had Stage 3 cancer,” Fox said. “I am cancer-free now. When you get over the grief, you get a new perspective.
“Life is short. There are other passions I want to fulfill. If I hadn’t gone through those changes, I might have stayed on.”
Fox, who has been commuting from rural St. Joseph for two decades, lives in a historic century-old farm home.
“I feel that I haven’t had the time to enjoy the beautiful property and the horses,” she said. “I’d like to restart the breeding program (at Fox Stables) and spend more time riding.
“It’s not that I don’t love what I do. Time is short and I didn’t want to miss opportunities. I don’t have any regrets.”
Thanks – in part – to COVID-19, Fox won’t totally remove herself from veterinary offices.
“During COVID, there was a big surge in pet ownership,” Fox said. “Therefore, there is a need for veterinarians as well. Vets are in short supply.”
Temporary relief workers are in high demand and could include options for Fox such as handling a vacation shift, “to give the doctor some time off,” she said.
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A native of Melrose Park, a suburb west of Chicago, Fox found her way to Champaign-Urbana to enroll in vet school after getting her bachelor’s degree from Loyola University. She earned her degree from the UI in 1993, fulfilling a lifelong ambition.
“As far (back) as I can remember, I wanted to be around animals and take care of them,” Fox said. “My mother was supportive of my dream.
“I used to bring home sick birds and nurse them back to health.”
After completing her classes at the UI, Fox worked for two years in Danville before joining the Animal Medical Centers, which had four central Illinois locations.
She rotated her time between the Charleston-Mattoon, Champaign, Urbana and Mahomet sites.
The facilities were owned by Dr. John Lykins.
In 1998, Fox was assigned to Mahomet with the understanding she would buy the business when Lykins was ready to retire.
The purchase was completed in January, 1999.
“I didn’t know anything about Mahomet at the time,” Fox said.
And now that she does?
“It was one of the best decisions of my life,” she said. “In 1998, the population was a lot smaller.
“It was a lot more rural than it is now. The clients were wonderful. They were happy to have a vet there full-time.”
Another big difference is the number of veterinarians available in Mahomet.
Fox and (the late) Dr. Marc Klarman were the only two in the community as she was settling in. Now there are three times that number.
Though there are stated office hours on the door at Hill Animal Care, those times were not ironclad.
“Really early on, there was a dog that we knew was about to have puppies,” Fox said. “She went into labor on the weekend.
“It was late at night. I called my staff in. We did a C-section on the dog (a Labrador retriever) and she had 11 or 12 puppies.
“All of us were in the surgical unit, cleaning and warming puppies. It was an amazing and humbling experience. And, my staff had no issues coming in late at night.”
The cycle has gone full circle. Fox is turning her practice over to Dr. Mary Elizabeth Vander Vennet, who is known as Dr. Liz. For the past year, Dr. Liz has been working Mondays in Mahomet.
“She and I have pretty similar practice philosophies,” Fox said. “A lot of the same staff will be there.
“It was important to me for things not to be changed drastically.”
At one time, Fox had 15 employees. Currently, there’s about half that number.
Her choice to step aside was not one made in haste.
“I don’t make decisions willy-nilly,” Fox said. “It’s definitely bittersweet and hasn’t sunk in because I am still working.
“It’s a little surreal and I don’t know if there is ever a good time (to leave). I hope the clients are understanding.”
When Fox does return to work – whether it is in Central Illinois or in Chicago, where she now owns a downtown condo – it will be with less stress.
“As a business owner, it all falls on you,” she said. “I can go into a practice and be a vet.
“I won’t have to worry about the books, management, the budget or other things. It will be a nice way to enjoy what I do. With that change of scenery, there is a new direction and new excitement.”
In a moment of honesty, Fox admits she hasn’t enjoyed everything about her duties.
Euthanizing an animal is difficult.
“The clients look to us to guide them,” Fox said. “It’s not always black and white.
“I know if we don’t guide them, they might allow a pet to suffer. It’s probably better a little sooner than too late. You don’t want to have regrets.
“Without it (the euthanizing), there would be a lot more suffering. We have a responsibility to those animals.”
When that time arrived, Fox tried to make families – and the pet – be as comfortable as possible.
“A lot of clients, when time allowed, I would come to their homes,” she said. “Even though it is a very sad situation, clients remember the level of compassion that you have.
“If an animal is suffering, I have a sense of peace when I leave.”
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Kim Bode started working part-time at Hill Animal Care in January while taking classes in the Parkland College Veterinary Technology program.
She – and her family – became acquainted with Dr. Fox 14 years ago.
“We moved to Mahomet and needed a veterinarian for our cat and dog,” Bode said. “She was highly recommended by our neighbor.
“I found her to be very knowledgeable, caring and professional. Over the years as we have gained more pets and they have had issues as they age, I have come to appreciate just how knowledgeable, caring and willing to find solutions she really is.”
When Bode hears clients compliment Fox, she relates. Her positive experiences have continued for more than a decade.
“Just one example of her dedication to her patients involves our Shetland Sheepdog, Victor,” Bode said. “A few years ago, we noticed Victor had dark red dripping when he finished urinating.
“It was nearly closing time for the clinic when I called. I was expecting that it would be too late to come that evening and was just hoping for advice to get him through until we could come in for an appointment or find out if we really needed to drive to the U of I Vet Med.”
Fox willingly made time for one more patient that day.
“Even though we kept her at the clinic past closing time, Dr. Fox had us bring in Victor right away for X-rays in case he had urinary stones which would have been quite painful, possibly blocking further urination,” Bode said. “The X-rays showed this was not the case.
“Instead, he ended up having a bladder tumor. Dr. Fox helped us monitor his quality of life over the next few months until it was time to euthanize him.
“Whether it is an acute emergency or a chronic disease, Dr. Fox has been dedicated to helping her patients have a good quality life.”
Her leadership qualities are reflected in the staff.
“As a boss, she takes the lead and has us work according to our strengths,” Bode added. “She encourages us to improve where needed and takes the time to show us how to improve.”
Others who work at Hill Animal Care agree that Dr. Fox is not only good with clients and their pets, but also with staff as well.
“A great boss to me is someone who inspires their employees to be their best selves, and I think she’s done just that,” said Kirby Mitchem, the office manager for the past 12 ½ years. “I think the clients have such great relationships with her because she’s poured her heart and soul into this community and caring for their animals.”
Sheila Corry, a receptionist who has worked in all areas of the hospital, remembers when she was looking for work.
“The day I interviewed for this job, she asked if I was looking for long-term employment,” Corry said.
The answer was obviously “yes.” Corry is the dean of the staff and has worked at Hill Animal Care for 21 years.
Bailie Bushman, who has worked as a veterinary assistant for the past year, is appreciative of how Dr. Fox interacts with her employees.
“Dr. Fox really tries to relate to her employees and learn things about their personal lives,” Bushman said. “She likes to know what’s going on in our lives and she also shares what’s going on in her life.
“She loves to have a good time and doesn’t take things too seriously all the time.”
Bushman said Dr. Fox’s demeanor is another of her endearing traits.
“I think the clients enjoy how Dr. Fox really takes the time to get to know them and their pets,” Bushman said. “In tough situations, she is always very honest with them and will tell them what she would do if it were her pet.
“It’s very obvious how much she cares about not only taking care of pets, but also her relationship with clients.”
One of the people Dr. Fox influenced was Bushman.
“I wanted to be a vet when I was younger, so I always looked up to her and it’s cool to be able to work for her now,” Bushman added.
Dr. Fox took the time to work with new employees who came to the job with less experience.
“I started at Hill Animal Care, just shy of eight years ago,” Kelley Johnson said. “I knew absolutely nothing about the vet world.
“Dr. Fox was patient with me, to say the least. At first, I was very intimidated by her. She’s a very strong-willed individual. But it wasn’t long until I opened up a bit.
“She has taught me many, many things that I will continue to utilize. I will miss her laugh, and her checking the doors 1,389 times before she leaves.”
During her 4 ½ years on staff, Katie Turner has learned about being thorough and putting clients first.
“I started as a grooming assistant and cleaning person and over the years, I worked my way up to where I am now a veterinary assistant,” Turner said. “I have loved my time working with Dr. Fox.
“She has been a great boss. When you had questions or concerns, she was always willing to talk to you whenever you needed.
“I think Dr. Fox is so loved by all her clients because of how genuine she is with them and willing to get the clients in when needed, or was always willing to be double-booked with appointments.”
Lauren Bode has worked as a veterinary assistant for four years, when she has been home from college.
She said Dr. Fox sets a high standard that she expects her staff to emulate.
“She has known a lot of the clients and their pets for years and remembers their families and previous pets,” Bode said. “She has been very dedicated to her job and the community, and she holds her employees to that same standard of care.”
Bode said Dr. Fox’s concern was evident as she planned for the future of the business.
“She has put a lot of thought and effort into how she is leaving the practice and how we will continue at Hill as part of the community,” Bode said.
The Hill Animal Care staff is planning a walk-through for Dr. Fox on her final afternoon in Mahomet. Cookies and cupcakes will be available for those who come to greet her from 2-4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 12.
“It will be an emotional day,” Fox said.
