Owner, Veterinarian
With a passion for both pets and people, Dr. Rooney has enjoyed working at BRVC since becoming a veterinarian in 1987. He met his wife, Karen during their undergraduate days at the University of Illinois. They got married between freshman and sophomore year while he was attending the U of I College of Veterinary Medicine. He has been a co-owner of the clinic since 1991, and became the senior partner in 2014. During his career he has cultivated a special interest in dentistry, behavior, and internal medicine.
His love of animals started when he was young in spite of having family members with severe allergic issues. Although that stopped him from having a dog or a cat growing up, he managed to have and care for a variety of animals ranging from rats, gerbils, guinea pigs, and rabbits to snakes, lizards, and turtles. He grew up with four brothers (one an identical twin), and two sisters. He and Karen have been blessed with two beautiful daughters as well as two wonderful sons-in-law. Recently without a pet, his free time is divided between his love of gardening and making jams and pies with the “fruits” of his labor and his love of spending time with his grandchildren. (The grandchildren are winning out.)
His love of people has led to having served his colleagues as a member of the executive board of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association. Since 1991 he has been taking calls and counseling grieving pet-owners as a volunteer for the CVMA’s Pet Loss Helpline. He has also gladly volunteered his time to entertain 2-3 year olds while their mother’s would meet during a Mom’s group at his church.
His love of God has led to serving in various capacities at his church, from chairman of the congregation to elder with many years spent volunteering with their senior high youth group. He considers himself very blessed by God to be able to do something he loves for a living alongside co-workers he considers family while helping people he truly cares about.