Deaf veterinarian treats suburban pets

May 11, 2006 (WLS) -- There are hundreds of veterinarians in the Chicago area. One is profoundly deaf. For almost 10 years, Dr. Thomas McDavitt has been caring for dogs and cats in south suburban Hickory Hills.

Communicating with his clients has not been a problem. Playing before examining is the way Dr. McDavitt greets his patients.

Sam is a 4-month-old Siberian husky. Owner Don Visage started coming to Dr. McDavitt three years ago with his other dog.

"It was a female, her name was Samantha, she was half lab and half German Shepard," said Visage.

Samantha died several months ago at the age of 15.

"If it hasn't been for him, she'd have died two years ago. She had a lot wrong with her, she had heart disease. She was diabetic and she also had liver disease. But he had good medicine and she did really good," Visage said.

Deaf since the age of 5 from meningitis, McDavitt has been a vet for 13 years. Going to veterinary school was difficult.

"It's a lot of course work and it's hard to keep up even with an interpreter," McDavitt said.

Veterinary is not a profession that is marketed to people who are deaf.

"When I was growing up, I got discouraged by a lot of people saying that I was wrong and it just made me stronger in my faith I could be one," said McDavitt.

Getting someone to hire him was frustrating, especially after sending out 400 applications and only one offered him a job.

"Perhaps because of being a vet is client communication," McDavitt said.

The one task that Dr. McDavitt can not do is listen to heart beats.

"One of my technicians listens and I can feel the heartbeat and I can tell if it has a murmur if I'm suspicious, then I call a cardiologist for a second opinion," McDavitt said. "My favorite thing to do is surgery."

In 1999, Dr. McDavitt bought his clinic from his former boss. He has almost 5,000 clients.

"But most of my clients are hearing but I do have about 25 deaf clients," McDavitt said.

New client Nancy Schleifer came in with her two Chihuahuas for a check up. She had no idea that Dr. McDavitt was deaf.

"It was fine," Schleifer said.

Regardless of the fact that Dr. McDavitt is deaf, pet owners' main concern is their pet's well being.

"If they come to him one time, they'll find out how good he is," said Don Visage.

McDavitt Veterinary Services is changing it's name to Hickory Hills Animal Clinic. The phone number is (708) 599-0400.

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