Dr. Tara Poyer has always felt a special connection with animals. Growing up in Northern Illinois surrounded by pets, she began volunteering at a local animal hospital at a young age. She attended DePaul University, where she studied Biology, and earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois.
Dr. Poyer began her career in canine and feline general practice before transitioning to in-home end-of-life care. Through this work, she became increasingly aware of how fear and stress can prevent cats from receiving the veterinary care they need. As a devoted cat mom herself, she became passionate about creating a more comfortable, low-stress veterinary experience where cats feel safe, respected, and understood. She is a Certified Cat Friendly Veterinarian and a member of the Feline Veterinary Medical Association.
Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Poyer enjoys practicing yoga, hiking, reading, and spending time with her friends and family. She lives with her partner, who is also a veterinarian, their beloved trio of cats—Saxby, Mabel, and Biscuit—and Salty, their dog who thinks she’s a cat.