Your Pet is in the Best Hands with Our Incredible Team

Dr. Baker loves animals, and she loves getting to know people and their families. Naturally, the veterinary profession was a perfect fit, allowing her to combine all her passions into one fulfilling career. She received her BS in zoology, her MPH, and her DVM from Ohio State University, and authored a handful of publications while working her way through vet school.

Since becoming a veterinarian, Dr. Baker has had all kinds of incredible experiences in the field. She enjoys internal medicine and dental workups and getting to be an integral part of the human-animal bond. She loves her team, patients, and clients, and is excited about building her vision from the ground up! Dr. Baker is known for keeping things positive, especially during the toughest moments. Being told “you can do hard things” always gives her a boost when she needs it most, because it’s something she tells her fellow team members, too.

Dr. Baker and her husband Chris have 2 wonderful children and a furry family of rescue pets. There’s a senior cat named Grace, a cat named Greta, a three-legged cat named Nora (who is also her daughter’s best friend), a rescue cavalier named Ladybug, and a Mastiff named Vida (she was rescued from the island of Antigua). A homebody at heart, Dr. Baker loves spending time with her family. She also enjoys taking the kids to their sports practices and games, exercising at Pure Barre, taking the dogs for walks, and having (rare) date nights with her husband.

Dr. Kelley Kanak joined Lane Veterinary Hospital in October 2024 and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for animal care. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2014, followed by her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the same institution in 2018. During her studies, Dr. Kanak was honored with the Dr. Edward C. Khuen Excellence in Dentistry Scholarship, reflecting her dedication and excellence in the field.

Dr. Kanak’s journey to veterinary medicine was inspired early in life when her family’s Golden Retriever, Holly, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. This experience, combined with her love for animals, fueled her commitment to helping pets live happy, healthy lives. Her professional interests include soft tissue surgery and emergency medicine, and she finds immense fulfillment in helping sick patients recover and thrive. Dr. Kanak is proud to have trained veterinary students in performing spay and neuter surgeries, a skill she first mastered through the guidance of a mentor. Passing on this knowledge to the next generation of veterinarians remains one of her most rewarding accomplishments.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Kanak enjoys an active lifestyle that includes yoga, gym workouts, and skiing in Colorado. She also loves traveling, reading, and spending time by the pool during summer. In her free time, she indulges in creative pursuits like embroidery and sewing. Dr. Kanak is also a proud pet parent to Muddy, a five-year-old Golden Retriever and Kenzie, a ten-year-old Golden Retriever mix. Kenzie now lives with Dr. Kanak’s parents, where she shares a special bond with her dad.

Dr. Beaird’s journey to becoming a veterinarian began when, as a child, her grandfather would share meaningful pearls of wisdom about plants and animals when they visited her grandparent’s cottage. Her love for animals continued to grow and in 2015, she graduated from the University of Illinois Champaign Urbana. In 2019, Dr. Beaird became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist through the Chi Institute. After five years as a relief veterinarian, she fell in love with the team at Lane Vet and settled in as a part-time veterinarian.

Her goal as a veterinarian is to be a part of your pet’s care team, to serve you both, and to truly listen to your questions and concerns. She wants to be approachable, and for you to know she believes wholeheartedly in individualized care that reflects your pet’s unique lifestyle.

Dr. Beaird and her husband have 2 beautiful boys who keep them laughing, learning, and incredibly busy. She currently has no pets since losing Finn and discovering that her oldest son has severe allergies to pets.

In her free time, Dr. Lauren loves being outside no matter the weather. She also enjoys vegetable gardening, crocheting, practicing watercolor, baking sourdough, and cherishes her time with family and friends.

Dr. Kate Sapato brings with her a deep passion for veterinary medicine, client education, and cultivating a supportive, Calm Care environment. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Integrative Biology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Illinois in 2016, followed by her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2020.

Dr. Sapato’s love for animals started early. Her childhood Labrador retriever introduced her to veterinary visits, and a well-prepared PowerPoint presentation eventually convinced her parents to adopt a beagle. That determination and curiosity led her to a college job at a veterinary clinic, where she discovered her love for medicine and helping pet owners feel informed and empowered.

She is USDA Accredited, Calm Care Certified, and a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, and Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Sapato takes pride in supporting her team, mentoring student externs, and ensuring everyone including staff and clients alike, feels heard and respected. She especially values building trust with pet owners during challenging moments and working alongside them to navigate complex diagnoses or provide compassionate end-of-life care.

At home, Dr. Sapato and her husband are proud parents to their daughter, Nora, born in 2024. Their animal crew includes Josie, a spirited retired research beagle, and Eloise, a sassy brown tabby cat. Outside the clinic, Dr. Sapato enjoys baking (especially holiday cookies), watching college basketball and the NFL, and spending time with family.

Dr. Sapato is thrilled to be part of a woman-owned, independently operated practice that prioritizes patient comfort and Calm Care principles. She looks forward to building lasting connections with her clients and their pets.

Dr. Alexandria Vega brings a wealth of experience and passion to Lane Veterinary. Her journey in veterinary medicine began as a technician, where she dedicated nine years to hands-on patient care before deciding to expand her knowledge and skills by becoming a veterinarian. Dr. Vega holds an Associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology from Fox College, a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from Olivet Nazarene University, a Master’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Glasgow, and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Ross University. Her commitment to excellence in veterinary dentistry was recognized with the Proficiency in Dentistry – Clinical Year Award.

At Lane Veterinary, Dr. Vega thrives on building strong client relationships and collaborating with a dedicated team of professionals. She is proud to be part of a team that provides compassionate care and helps ensure pets receive the highest level of medical attention.

Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Vega leads an active family life, frequently attending her children’s sports practices and events. She shares her home with a Siamese cat named October and two Presa Canarios, AJ and Scrappy.

Dr. Stephanie Warren’s lifelong passion for animals, particularly dogs, led her to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Though she initially explored a business degree in college, her family dog’s surgery reignited her fascination with veterinary science and confirmed her true calling. This pivotal experience inspired her to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois.

At Lane Veterinary, Dr. Warren values the caring and supportive team, especially their commitment to the Calm Care approach and high-quality medicine. She enjoys working in areas such as nutrition, internal medicine, surgery, and client education. For her, the most rewarding part of the profession is improving patients’ lives and fostering the human-animal bond.

Outside of work, Dr. Warren enjoys spending time with her husband, Eric, and their two hounds, Copper, a beagle, and Lua, a redbone coonhound, who always keep things lively at home. She loves outdoor activities, including running, cycling, paddle boarding, and gardening.

Dr. Lisa Cieply knew from an early age that veterinary medicine was where she belonged. Growing up in the country across the road from a pig farm, she found every excuse to visit the pigs and quickly developed a fascination with animals of all kinds. By fourth grade, she had already decided she wanted to become a veterinarian—and she never changed course.

Dr. Cieply earned both her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois. A self-described science nerd, she loves that her career allows her to stay immersed in medicine while helping pets and the people who care for them. She is especially passionate about internal medicine and client education, including helping pet owners understand the “why” behind their pet’s care.

Outside the hospital, Dr. Cieply shares her home on the Northwest Side of Chicago with her partner, Anne, and their two Chihuahua mixes, Vincent and Rhoda. Both dogs happily tackle long forest hikes in just about any weather, although they have a few quirks of their own: Rhoda has a particular fondness for stealing the neighbors’ mulch through the fence, while Vincent is afraid of flies. In her free time, Dr. Cieply enjoys traveling, golfing, watching football, cooking, hiking, puzzling, and spending time with friends and family.