Dr. Byron de la Navarre is the chief Veterinarian at Animal House of Chicago. He opened this practice in January of 2003 doing much of the construction on his own with help from friends and family. He takes great pride in his work as well as in his practice of Veterinary Medicine.

His love of animals began as a young boy growing up outside New York City. He had his own pet sitting service as well as his own business: “Fish-ician” setting up and maintaining Aquaria in various homes and businesses. He managed one of the largest privately owned pet stores in New York specializing in Exotic pets. Dr. de la Navarre attended Cornell University as an undergraduate. There he did Honors Research in Captive Husbandry & Breeding of Perigrine Falcons at the Cornell Ornithology Laboratory. He also took part in a Master’s Research project in Psittacine Nutrition. Dr. de la Navarre then went on to the Veterinary College at Cornell, receiving his DVM degree in 1990.

Between his 3rd and 4th year of Veterinary School, he externed at over 12 Zoos both in North & Central America as well as Europe and Israel. After completing an internship, he worked at an Niles Hospital and Bird Medical Center in the Chicago area for 7+ years, then became Head of Exotics at Misener-Holley Animal Hospital and Exotic Creatures Care Clinic.

He has also done “Relief Veterinary” work at various clinics and still fills in at the Chicago Veterinary Emergency Service as needed. This additional work experience continues to challenge Dr. de la Navarre and serves as an excellent avenue to consult with colleagues on the latest & greatest in Veterinary Medicine & Surgery.

He has lectured on exotic pet topics at the local, state and national levels. He is a member & on the Executive Board of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) [President 2005]. He is also active in the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) serving as the Illinois State Liaison. Locally, Dr. de la Navarre has served as the President of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) the largest association of its kind.

Tracy de la Navarre has also always loved animals, especially birds. She received her BS Degree from Northern Illinois University where she studied Biology and Behaviour specializing again in birds. She worked for several years for the USDA Quarantine Station for exotic Animals as well as managed a Noah's Arc Pet Store again specializing in birds. Tracy worked as head technician at Niles Animal Hosp. & Bird Medical Center as well as at Misener-Holley Animal Hosp. & Exotic Creatures Care Clinic.