Veterinary Center Pursues Second Site for Canine Rehab

Dogs would have more opportunities to recover through sports medicine and rehabilitation under Veterinary Specialty Center’s plans to expand to a second building in Buffalo Grove.

Dr. Mitch Robbins, a veterinary surgeon and one of the practice’s owners, presented plans Monday to the Village Board to open a second site at 1495 Busch Parkway, just down the street from the facility that has operated in Buffalo Grove since 2001.

Veterinary Specialty Center sees more than 100 pets per day, Robbins said, and “we find ourselves really at a loss for space.”

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The center currently includes a small rehabilitation room. Robbins said the second building would be devoted entirely to rehab and canine sports medicine. Six full-time employees would be stationed at the second site, which would offer such services as conditioning, training and nutrition for athletic and working dogs, including police dogs and guide dogs. Surgeries and other veterinary services would continue to take place in the existing building.

The proposed 9,480-square-foot space is a corner unit that’s neighbored by Jump Zone, a baseball academy and a heating and air conditioning company.

Veterinary Specialty Center would need a special use permit to operate the rehab center in the industrial district. After trustees briefly discussed the location of a proposed outdoor “elimination area” for visiting dogs, they unanimously referred the request to the Plan Commission. A workshop and public hearing will be held before the proposal is voted on by the Village Board.