Dedicated Professionals Committed to Your Pet’s Health

Get to know the experienced veterinary staff who provide personalized care for your cats and dogs.

Veterinarian smiling with a dog in a clinic room.

Meet Dr. Allyson Harris

DVM, Founder & CEO

Allyson Harris, originally from Atlanta, GA, is a graduate of The University of Georgia, Athens, GA. There, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1985. She went on to receive her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Harris then completed a one-year internship and clinical rotation in small animal medicine and surgery at Tuskegee’s Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery from June 1992 to May 1993.

She moved to Chicago in June of 1993 and began working as an Associate Veterinarian at a two-doctor, small animal practice in Bolingbrook, IL, a suburb of Chicago. After practicing there for approximately 1 1/2 years, Dr. Harris was given an opportunity to purchase her own small animal practice. She had always said that she would own her own practice within five years of graduating from medical school, and the Lord blessed her with Woodlawn Animal Hospital (formerly Sweeney Animal Hospital). She took possession on March 1, 1995. She openly credits God, her family’s support, and her Chicagoland clientele for Woodlawn’s success!

Meet Artesia Readus, CVT

Readus is not only Woodlawn’s Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), but also our grooming specialist. With nine years of experience as a professional groomer, Artesia was a perfect fit for our WAH family. Her training as a licensed CVT makes her an invaluable member of our medical team. Her trained eye further allows her to examine and recognize underlying medical issues, whether assisting the doctor or grooming a patient.

As we all know, both prevention and early detection are cornerstones to maintaining good pet health. This can potentially save time, money, and your pet’s life! (Learn more here.) Artesia is not only your pet’s groomer, but a great veterinary health educator and advocate.

A smiling woman in pink scrubs hugging a beagle dog indoors.
Smiling woman with glasses and long hair stands indoors near a wooden door.

Meet Estephany Armijo

Vet Assistant & Vet Technician Student

Meet Tandy Norwood

Vet Assistant

Person smiling and holding a fluffy orange and white cat indoors.