Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Robyn Barbiers.
Dr. Robyn, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always loved science, especially chemistry but just didn’t know what a chemist actually did. I also loved apes, especially orangutans, but didn’t know how you could earn a living doing field work. In college, I went on an exchange program to Chicago and was going to shadow at Lincoln Park Zoo. My first day there I was told that a woman shouldn’t be a veterinarian and shouldn’t work at a zoo because of the dangers. It was a life-changing moment! I applied to vet school, was accepted, and studied to become a zoological veterinarian. After veterinary medical college, it took five years of working in an emergency veterinary clinic before I landed my first zoo job. That was a great and much needed learning experience. I then worked in zoos for 21 years, ending that part of my career as Vice President of Animal Collections at Lincoln Park Zoo. The opportunity at The Anti-Cruelty Society came open at just the right time – at the zoo I had transitioned from clinical work to a larger role and was ready to take on the next step of becoming the person responsible for an organization.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course there have been challenges! My first veterinary job was as an emergency veterinarian in Ohio where I was the first female veterinarian in the county. One of my technicians was male and many times clients would argue that he must be the doctor and I was the nurse! Working emergency is always a challenge due to its life and death nature and fast pace. It made me rely on my knowledge, trust my instincts and abilities, and build my confidence as a veterinarian. When working in zoos, you are learning every day. Every patient (yes, we treat everything at the zoo – invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, truly aardvark to zebra) is different and can be a challenge. For example, how do you give unpalatable medication to an elephant? You have to be creative, innovative, and patient.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Anti-Cruelty Society – what should we know?
The Anti-Cruelty Society is a comprehensive animal welfare organization that has been helping animals in Chicago since 1899. Most Chicagoans know that we have cats and dogs for adoption but we do so much more. We have an affordable spay/neuter clinic open to the public, a charity veterinary clinic, humane investigators who respond to complaints of animal abuse, an entire education department and a behavior and training department. We offer many programs and services to help keep pets in their homes, educate on responsible pet ownership and teach compassion and respect for animals. I’m proud of our open door policy, meaning we never turn away an animal in need and this makes us unique. Many shelters are limited admission and chose which animals to help. At The Anti-Cruelty Society, we have unconditional compassion. Also, many shelters only adoption facilities and don’t have the comprehensive programs that we offer.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
To me, success is an internal state. If I’m doing something I love, if I am continuing to learn and grow, if I’m able to provide for myself, if I feel I’m doing a good job and doing the right thing, if I am happy and appreciate various experiences, then I’m successful. I consider myself a very lucky person, I have had three different careers so far, have been able to travel some, am basically healthy, have support through family, friends, and colleagues and have been able to work in a field that makes a difference!
Pricing:
- Adoption fee: adult dog (5 months old & up) – $150
- Adoption fee: puppy (under 5 months old) – $250
- Adoption fee: adult cat (5 months old & up) – $60
- Adoption fee: kittens (under 5 months old) – $120
- Spay/Neuter fee: dogs – $130
- Spay/Neuter fee: cats – $30
- Spay/Neuter fee: pitbulls – $60
Contact Info:
- Address: Mailing address and clinic address: 157 W. Grand Ave. Chicago, IL 60654
Adoption Center address: 510 N. LaSalle St. Chicago, IL 60654 - Website: www.anticruelty.org
- Phone: 312-644-8338
- Email: info@anticruelty.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anticruelty/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AntiCruelty/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AntiCruelty
Image Credit:
Todd Rosenberg
Sherri Whitko
Arleen Burke
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