Veterinarians
Dr. Bruce Hoppe
Dr. Hoppe grew up in Franklin, Wisconsin and even as a child had affection for all animals. He remembers riding his bike home from school and, when stopping for a snack, quickly found himself a new friend. "A small beagle puppy came from a vacant lot and began licking my hands. I shared my sandwich and that's all it took to lead to a quick adoption," he said. Dr. Hoppe also looked up to his family's veterinarian as a mentor. "Dr. Ray Pahle was our family veterinarian. He took care of our English setter and I was impressed by his caring manner and medical expertise."
Carrying his compassion for animals into college, Dr. Hoppe received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin College of Agriculture at Madison in biochemistry and nutrition in 1975 (he was also recognized for his scholastic achievements by the Iowa State University College of Letters and Science). Dr. Hoppe was a member of the "Pre-Veterinarian Club" and was accepted into the master's program in poultry science. Dr. Hoppe earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1979.
"I love being able to help people by caring for their beloved companions," Dr. Hoppe said.
He was president of the Milwaukee Veterinary Medical Association (in 1984) and has been an active participant in the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association Convention Committee to help organize the association's continuing education conference. He also took part in the Wisconsin State Fair Veterinary Surgical Demonstration for 12 years. Dr. Hoppe is a member of the Milwaukee Veterinary Medical Association, the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association and the Iowa State University Veterinary Medicine Alumni Association.
He and his wife Leanne have worked at Park Pet Hospital together for more than 30 years and have two children. He's an active member of the First Immanuel Lutheran Congregation Church and the Hoppes share their home with two dogs, Carmel and Wisky, and his hobbies include outdoor sports such as baseball, football, soccer, as well as hiking, landscaping and family activities.
Dr. Terry Jacobs
Dr. Jacobs is a board-certified specialist in canine and feline medicine and surgery, originally certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in 1995, and then recertified in 2005 and again in 2015. He is the only ABVP certified practioner in Milwaukee county and has served the national organization as its Credentials and Appeals Committee Chair for many years. Dr. Jacobs received his undergraduate degree in microbiology (with an immunology minor) from The Ohio State University in 1981 and graduated with honors. He earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1985. He is a member of the Milwaukee Veterinary Medical Association, the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, the Iowa State University Veterinary Medical Alumni Association and the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. He has special professional interests in oncology and internal medicine, and has published case reports about dog and cat cancers in leading peer-reviewed veterinary journals.
Having grown up in New Jersey with a beagle named Barney, Dr. Jacobs started his career as a "kennel kid" at the local veterinary hospital. "I must have done just about every job there is to do at a veterinary hospital, from cleaning up and stocking to assisting with treatments and surgery" he said. He has worked at several large veterinary referral and emergency practices on both coasts, as well as in the midwest, and has been with Park Pet Hospital since 1988.
Dr. Jacobs considers it a privilege as well as a responsibility to fufill his lifelong goal of being a veterinarian. "Sometimes I feel like I'm entrusted to be the guardian of the bond between the owner and their pet," Dr. Jacobs said of his profession, "and I always try to do my best to maintain that trust." Dr. Jacobs is married and has three children. They share their home with a chihuahua dachschund mix named Bella. Dr. Jacobs' hobbies include listening to music, watching movies, reading and studying history.
Dr. Cathy Poehlmann
Dr. Poehlmann always knew she wanted to be a veterinarian, even as a young child in Fox Point. "That desire became stronger when my childhood dog was ill with a serious immune disease and the veterinary specialists who helped him amazed me. I knew that was what I needed to do," she said.
As soon as she was old enough, Dr. Poehlmann volunteered at her veterinarian's office and she worked at a veterinary hospital throughout high school and college. "I did everything from clean cages, act as receptionist and eventually became a clinic manager," she said.
Dr. Poehlmann received her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, in 1989 and graduated summa cum laude. She earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin College of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. She was president of the Companion Animal Club and was a student representative for the American Animal Hospital Association.
"I love animals but I truly enjoy spending my days with people who love animals. We always have a lot on common and I've made some amazing friends," she said. A member of the Milwaukee Veterinary Medical Association, the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association, Dr. Poehlmann has special professional interests in pet behavior issues and avian care.
Dr. Poehlmann is married with two children and they share their home with two domestic short hair cats, Lyle and Runner Bean, and a pug named Tug. She enjoys swimming, bike riding, cooking, spending time with family and friends and running (she qualified for the 2012 Boston Marathon).