After treating an average of five animals an hour as one of six veterinarians at a busy Chicago clinic, Dr. Donna Solomon decided to hang her own shingle and create ”a warm and comfortable environment as opposed to the sterile and claustrophobic clinic environment.”
In March 1989 Solomon, 29, began to incorporate her personality and professional needs into the turn-of-the-century Victorian house at 1618 W. Diversey Ave. She overcame city fire code and zoning obstacles, neighbors`
fears of barking dogs and her own doubts to turn a charming old residence into the Animal Medical Center, set apart from other such ventures by a homey intimacy.
”The house has become me, a reflection of me,” Solomon said. ”It has an atmosphere I am happy to work in and, hopefully, an environment clients won`t be afraid to come into.”
In the living-turned-waiting room, solid mission oak furniture invites anxious pets and owners to relax, or clients can wait in open-air comfort on the front porch.
In the examination and waiting rooms, beveled-glass windows reflect light and shadows onto several whimsical animal photographs on the walls. In one of Solomon`s favorite photos, by Chicagoan Art Shay, a caged leopard and a sandal-clad woman in a leopard-print coat exchange measured glances.
Solomon is a general practitioner who specializes in internal medicine and surgery. She sees dogs and cats only. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. No boarding or grooming. (312-525-3353).