David P. Luaces, DVM

Veterinarian, Hospital Administrator / Owner

Dr. Luaces was born and raised in Redding, California. He is a 1998 graduate of Washington State University with a B.S. degree in Microbiology. He is also a 2002 graduate of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation, Dr. Luaces completed a rotating internship in surgery and medicine with VCA Berwyn/Franklin Park where he also met his wife Kathy. Dr. Luaces joined Care Animal Hospital of Libertyville in January 2006 and became the sole owner in 2010.

They share their home with one daughter, an aging Australian Shepherd and 3 cats. In his free time, he's busy.... doing something... Some of those activities might be family activities, snowboarding/skiing, wakeboarding, or working on the old truck he's had since he was 14.

Jamie Quicho, DVM

Veterinarian

Dr. Quicho grew up in the growing town of Huntley, IL. She completed her Bachelor's degree in Biology at Roosevelt University in 2014. She graduated from St. George's University School of Veterinary Medicine with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, and completed her clinical training at the University of Illinois. She is passionate about exotic animal medicine and is an active member of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV). Dr. Quicho is a proud mom of an energetic Pitbull and two lovely snakes. In her free time, she loves to draw, play guitar or ukulele, travel, and scuba dive (outside of Illinois of course).

Dr. Brittany Handley

Veterinarian

Dr. Handley is from Park Ridge, Illinois. She graduated from the University of Illinois in 2020 with a degree in Integrative Biology and a minor in Animal Sciences. She graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2024 alongside her husband, Kyle. At home, she cares for Bluebell, a terrier mix she and Kyle rescued during their time in veterinary school, as well as Cyprus, a Florida kingsnake. Dr. Handley started working at Care Animal Hospital in 2024. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, skiing, and scuba diving!

Sara

Office Manager

Sara started off her animal career working for a predominantly avian and exotic veterinary practice in 2006. She was there for several years working her way up to head technician. She started with Care in 2011 as a kennel attendant, than receptionist and now is the office manager.

Sara shares her home with a variety of furry, feathered and fishy friends and enjoys working along side CARES many rescue groups. When she is not working she loves camping, outdoor activities, hanging out with her son and crafting!

Danielle

Veterinary Technician

Danielle joined our team as a kennel technician in August 2018 and worked her way up to Veterinary Technician shortly thereafter. Dani is currently enrolled in Penn Foster, a fully accredited college for Veterinary Technicians. Dani is a true lover of all animals, with cats and ferrets as her own personal pets. In her spare time, she enjoys playing sand volleyball.

Nikki

Veterinary Technician

Nikki joined Care Animal Hospital in 2018 as a kennel attendant and worked her way up to a veterinary assistant in 2020. She is currently on the path to becoming a certified veterinary technician. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, and playing with her German Shepherd mix, Churry!

Robert

Certified Veterinary Technician

Rob is a Certified Veterinary Technician who graduated from Rockford Career College in 2019 with an Associates Degree in Applied Science. He spends most of his time working in surgery, where his passion for Orthopedics grew. His favorite things about working at Care are the client communication and being a mentor. In his free time, Rob enjoys golfing, cooking, and playing with his dog, Ginger.

Sarah

Veterinary Technician

Sarah joined the care team in 2023 after her externship at Animal Behavioral College. She has three cats, one of which was adopted while working and a daughter.

Jennifer

Veterinary Technician

Jennifer joined our team 2018 as a kennel technician and worked her way up to Veterinary Technician. Throughout the years she has worked at the clinic on and off as she pursued her Bachelors in Animal Science at the University of Illinois Champagne-Urbana. Jennifer will be continuing her education at St George’s University of Veterinary Medicine to fulfill her life long goal of becoming a Veterinarian. In her spare time she likes to go hiking, reading, playing sports, and spending time with her cat named Cat.

Sophia

Veterinary Technician

Sophia joined the Care Animal Hospital team August of 2023. Even though she has been at Care for a short time she has had previous experiences in the veterinary field as a kennel technician and technician assistant. On her free time she likes to go on adventures with friends, family, and her cat Morocha.

Michelle

Veterinary Technician

Michelle started her career in animal medicine in 2007 as a technician, and when given the opportunity to be a client care representative, and managing the front desk, she did so. Now a technician at CARE, she enjoys the variety of animals seen and cared for, as well as the compassionate and family-like atmosphere the hospital has to offer. In Michelle's free time she loves spending time with her husband and 2 kids, fishing, boating and camping with their two dogs, Hawk and Arlo.

Alex

Veterinary Technician

Alex has worked as a Kennel Technician since 2020 and has recently become Kennel Manager. She is currently planning on furthering her education at College of Lake County in the spring. She has an orange tabby named Dunes, who she adopted from the hospital while working here. In her free time she enjoys drawing, spending time with family, and taking care of her own animals.

Victoria

Pharmacy Technician

Vicky joined our team in 2020 as a Veterinary Assistant while finishing her Bachelor’s degree in Biology at Loyola University Chicago. She graduated in 2021 and took on the role of Pharmacy Technician in 2022. Since then, she has loved overseeing the “behind the scenes” aspects of veterinary care while still working closely with animals every day. She has two furry friends of her own, a dog and a disabled kitty who is paralyzed but otherwise lives a normal and happy life. Vicky has a passion for the rehabilitation of compromised animals and has fostered sick patients brought to us by neighboring rescues.

Vicki

Receptionist

Vicki came into Care looking for a doctor and left with what she calls her “extended family.” She started with Care in February 2009. Her favorite part of working at Care aside from her love of animals is what she feels is “the loving and compassionate environment at Care Animal Hospital will make you feel like family, too”. When Vicki is not at Care she teaches middle school and loves spending time with her 2 German Sheppard’s, Hunter (pictured) and Ember.

Romy

Receptionist

My name is Romy and I have been a receptionist at CARE AH since August 2019. I have been in the Veterinary field for over 35 years. I have worked in every area of a hospital, from kennel to Practice Management. I have 6 fur babies of my own, I also have 3 daughters and 2 grandson. My love for animals developed at a very early age and since then I have been in the field. I can’t imagine doing anything other than helping pets and being a part of this amazing profession.

Jillian

Receptionist

Jillian started working at Care in 2016 and has learned a lot about animals in her short time with us. When she is not working at Care, she loves to spend time with her 4 ferrets and dog, Tazo a German Shorthaired Pointer. She also enjoys kayaking, camping and spending time outdoors.

Haley

Receptionist

Haley started working at Care in 2023, previously worked as an Animal Care Specialist at a county animal shelter in Florida. I've grown up with German Shepherds all my life and have also had fish, a cat, lizards, and rats. I enjoy the outdoors and art/drawing

Jill

Receptionist

Jill started at CARE in October of 2023 after working in the pet retail industry for 8 years. Animals have always been a passion for her, so working at the front desk at CARE has been a natural fit. She loves helping people take the best care of their pets. She has dogs, cats, and ferrets of her own. Other than animals, she loves spending time with her family, golfing, going for hikes, and working on a puzzle.

Summer

Kennel Manager

Summer started at Care in 2022 and became kennel manager in 2024. She has always had a passion for animals and hopes to work at a zoo one day. In her free time, she loves spending time outdoors and with her 2 dogs, 2 cats and leopard gecko.

Jack

Kennel

Jack has been a kennel attendant since December 2023, following an internship at CARE through Mundelein High School. In spring 2024, he will begin pursuing a degree in animal science at Louisiana State University, with plans to meet the prerequisites for veterinary school. In his free time, Jack enjoys working out, playing guitar, and spending time outdoors.

AJ

Kennel

AJ is a Gurnee local and joined the team in 2024 to work in kennel taking care of the boarding patients at Care! She started her animal care career interning at the Wildlife Discovery Center and has a lot of experience working with exotic animals and dogs. She’s currently transferring from College of Lake County in 2025 to The University of Wisconsin-Parkside to get her degree in Environmental biology. When not at Care, she’s at her other job educating about wildlife, at home drawing, or in the forests. She has 4 snakes, 3 Geckos, and an old Sheltie!

Nathan

Kennel

Nathan has been a kennel attendant since June 2024. He’s currently attending College of Lake County and is planning on transferring to Carroll University in 2026. In his free time he enjoys playing with his 3 dogs, and spending time with his family and friends.

Nicole "Nikki"

Kennel

Nikki recently started working for CARE as a kennel attendant in November of 2024. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater in 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and is currently working to further my career in animal science. In her free time she loves being at nature preserves, painting, and spending time with her German shepherd Lesile.

Oscar

House Cat

Bio Coming Soon!