Dr. Sarah Nokes

What is your educational and veterinary medicine background?

I graduated with my BA in Biology from Monmouth College in 2009 and received my DVM from Iowa State University in 2019.

What made you want to become a vet?

Like most veterinarians I’ve always loved animal since I was a little girl, however I didn’t decide to pursue veterinary medicine as a career until my mid-20s. I was working in wildlife research and management but found myself much more interested in the process of treating animals rather than data collection.

How did you come to join Companion Animal Hospital?

I previously worked at Companion as a veterinary assistant for 2 years before I went to vet school. It was an easy decision to come back home 🙂

What are the best things about being a veterinarian?

Aside from working with dogs and cats all day, I love being able to help solve a problem or at least provide guidance and support to owners. I love working with an owner to make the best decision for them and their pets. 

If you weren’t a vet, what would you be doing?

Realistically, I would probably still be working in wildlife research and management. Dream world, I would be a film critic.

What is the most common problem you encounter in the pets you see?

Dental disease, skin allergies

What are your special interests in the field of veterinary medicine?

Cardiology, dermatology, ophthalmology

What is the most exotic animal you have worked on?

I spent 6 weeks at the Brookfield Zoo during my clinical year of veterinary school and helped monitor several pregnant pangolins.

What are your favorite activities outside of treating pets?

Reading, going for walks, yoga, watching movies, traveling.

Favorite place to visit?

New Orleans.

Favorite movie?

Silver Linings Playbook.

Favorite food?

I love pretty much any type of food but I’d have to say the best thing I ever ate was the barbeque shrimp from Mr. B’s Bistro in New Orleans.

What is your favorite sports team?

Chicago Cubs

Name 3 interesting facts about yourself:

1) I’m left handed

2) I’ve been bitten by an opossum (while working as a wildlife technician)

3) I’ve hiked the Grand Canyon