Animal Hospital Reopens After Beloved Vet Dies From Coronavirus

NILES, IL – Community members, staff and clients are mourning the loss of a beloved local veterinarian who died last week from the new coronavirus.

Peter Sakas, DVM, owner of Niles Animal Hospital and Bird Medical Center, died on March 30 from COVID-19. The hospital was cleared to reopen on April 6 after a 14-day quarantine, according to Practice Manager Michelle Brown, as there were other employees who were out sick within the same timeline as Sakas. According to Brown, three other employees have tested positive for coronavirus.

"We are all distraught with the loss of Dr. Sakas, he was an amazing person," Brown said. "He treated us like family. We are determined to continue his legacy with blessings from his family."

Sakas began working at the hospital in 1980, as a student intern and became a staff veterinarian in 1983. In 1985, he bought the practice from then-owner T.J. Lafeber, DVM.

In a post on the Animal Hospital's Facebook page, the family shared that Sakas grew up wanting to be an architect and was often sketching designs of his future buildings. One day while walking home Sakas found a small injured bird on the sidewalk and brought it home, but was unable to save it.

"That moment was the impetus for his decision to pursue a career in veterinary medicine," the family said in the post. "As people get older, they tend to become jaded, but our father's big heart and compassion only seemed to grow since finding that small bird. His love and empathy knew no bounds."

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The family said Sakas would often work long hours, taking cases that were considered helpless, double-booking himself or coming in after clinic hours to take care of animals – both pets and wildlife.

"Our father would often tell us that he's never worked a day in his life because he loved his job so much," the family said. "He took great pride in being the voice for patients who could not speak and tell him their problems, but we also know that the people he could speak to (you, his clients) meant the world to him."

The College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Sakas' alma mater, shared reflections and memories from alumni who knew Sakas.

Due to restrictions in place because of the Shelter At Home order to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, a memorial service was not held.

Those who would like to are encouraged to make a donation to the University of Illinois Companion Animal Memorial Fund in Sakas' name.