Our Staff
Veterinarians
Kjerstin Jacobs, DVM
Dr. Kjerstin Jacobs, a founding partner of Metropolitan Veterinary Center, worked for a veterinarian when she was young and saw such passion and dedication in the way he approached his work that she decided to become a veterinarian, too. "I admired his technical skills and his ability to immediately connect with his clients as well as his patients," Dr. Jacobs remembered. "I admired the positive impact he had on others every day, and I wanted to be just like him."
Dr. Jacobs earned her DVM from the University of Wisconsin, Madison School of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. Prior to that, she had spent 13 years working in the restaurant business, "which instilled a very strong sense of the importance of excellence in client service."
After becoming a veterinarian, Dr. Jacobs completed an internship in equine surgery at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center. She then practiced on sport horses in New Jersey for several years before returning to Chicago and entering small animal practice.
Today, Dr. Jacobs has a special interest in soft tissue surgery, general and preventive medicine, and emergency and critical care. She is a member of the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. She is also a member of the Grey Muzzle Foundation, which provides care and comfort for homeless senior pets.
"I love every aspect of my job, from the challenges of medicine and surgery, to the joy of welcoming a new puppy or kitten into the family," Dr. Jacobs said of her life as a vet. "Building long-term, trusting relationships with patients, clients and co-workers is ultimately the most rewarding part of my work."
Dr. Jacobs shares her home with rescue dogs Naya, a Rat Terrier, and Growlin' Dan, a Chihuahua mix, and Veronica Grey, who was found in a box with her sisters at the Philadelphia airport when they were just newborn kittens. On her time off, Dr. Jacobs enjoys cooking, Pilates, going to the movies, and exploring our wonderful city of Chicago.
The love of her profession has, in turn, inspired others. Dr. Jacobs' teenage daughter plans on attending veterinary school in 2018.
June LaFave, VMD
Dr. LaFave is a founding partner of Metropolitan Veterinary Center. She was most recently the medical Director of the ER at Chicago Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center and also held tenure as Chief of Staff at PAWS. She left the ER to open Metropolitan Veterinary Center, and pursue her goal of changing the way the people view their primary care veterinarian by creating a clinic that provides compassionate and comprehensive care with the most convenient hours in Chicago.
She earned her undergraduate degree in Anthropolgy (with a concentration in Human Biology) from the University of Pennsylvania in 1995. She received her VMD (Veterinary Medical Doctorate) from the University of Pennsylvania in 2003.
Dr. LaFave has a strong interest in emergency and critical care medicine, surgery, and ultrasound, as well as general practice and preventative care. She is a member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society, American Veterinary Medical Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association.
Dr. LaFave and her husband are originally from the East Coast. They moved to Chicago in February 2005 after falling in love with the city during a visit. They have two akitas, Moe and Ruki. When she's not at Metropolitan Veterinary Center, you can find Dr. LaFave spending time with her husband, watching Flyers hockey or enjoying urban and outsider art.