Dr. Olivia (Liv) Kismartoni earned her degree in veterinary medicine from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison, and her certificate in veterinary acupuncture from the Chi Institute in Gainesville, Florida.  In addition to her education in veterinary medicine, she also holds a Master's in Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

Dr. Kismartoni has been in the veterinary field for many years - as a veterinary technician at Golf-Mil Animal Hospital and Skycrest Veterinary Clinic, as a professional dog trainer, as a breeder and rescuer of Dobermans, as an epidemiologist for Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, and as a veterinarian. 

"Dr. Liv" (her preferred title) is excited to be a part of the Knollwood family, and is hoping to make long lasting relationships with you and your pets.  Please feel free to stop in, ask any pet care questions you may have, and get acquainted - and make sure to say hi to Eszti, her therapy Doberman, also!

As a veterinarian, Dr. Liv's goal has always been to have a well-rounded approach to her patients, from baby to senior.  She incorporates elements of nutrition, behavior, exercise, preventative medicine, traditional Western medicine, and integrative medicine into her health care plans.  She especially enjoys internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, and dermatology.  She has volunteered her surgery skills to shelters and rescue groups, and enjoys soft tissue surgery.  Dr. Liv has a strong focus on continuing education - she knows that it is important t0 continue learning, to stay on the cutting edge of veterinary medicine.  This makes it easier to help keep her clients educated, as well!

Dr. Liv and her husband, Les Kismartoni (owner of an area computer consulting business), have been residents of the northwest Chicago suburbs for nearly sixteen years.  They were both raised in first-generation immigrant Eastern European households; Dr. Liv learned Polish at an early age and Les learned Hungarian (their dogs know Hungarian, too!).  Both have also studied Spanish, and lived in Spain for several months. 

They share a high-energy household with five dogs, four cats, and an Eclectus parrot, Ares.  The family cats include Pedro, polydactyl (extra toes) brothers Fatman and Professor Orange, and a shy Himalayan named Amelia.  Their dogs train in agility and show in competitive obedience.  Dr. Liv fell in love with Dobermans at an early age, and so Eszti, Bingo, Skeletor, and Maggie are Dobes while Sir Patton is a good 'ol mutt!  All of Dr. Liv's Dobes are blood donors and Estzi, who will be coming to work with her, is also a therapy dog and a frisbee fanatic.

Dr. Liv can work with you in picking out a new canine or feline family member, too.  A strong advocate of rescue pets, as well as supporting responsible and ethical breeders, she's fostered many dogs, works with several rescue Doberman groups, and is a proud member of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America.  Dr. Liv is looking forward to meeting more of you, soon!  She works at our hospital every Thursday and Friday from 9am until 7pm, and on Saturdays from 9am until 1pm.