Dr. Jill, as most people call her, has a long story due to her age, experience and history. Many years ago, she graduated from New Haven High School. She married Dan Sackash in 1976 and thanks to his understanding and support and the support and generosity of her parents; she graduated from Purdue Veterinary School in 1984. Her senior year she received the American Animal Hospital Award for excellence in small animal medicine and surgery. After receiving her DVM degree, she was very fortunate to work under the mentoring of Dr. Larry Ackerman and Dr. Doug Bruinsma. They were instrumental in molding her into the vet she is today, especially Dr. Ackerman. Mobile Veterinary Services was her next venture where for 5 years she operated a house call practice and drove a 23-foot mobile clinic around Fort Wayne and the surrounding counties. The mobile van was so well equipped; she could do surgery in your driveway!!

In 1991, she decided to “move” to Indianapolis and work full time in the Animal Emergency Clinic in north Indy…this proved to be a very valuable learning and networking experience. Two years later, the Fort Wayne Emergency Animal Clinic needed another associate veterinarian, so she jumped at the opportunity to come back “home.” As hard as it was, she sold her mobile van and concentrated on emergency medicine for another 3 years. Then came an opportunity she couldn’t pass up, and she purchased an established practice at 905 W. Gump Rd. So on May 18, 1995, exactly 11 years to the day after receiving her diploma from Purdue, Veterinary Services opened its doors with 3 employees including Dr. Jill! Things were slow at first, so because the Indianapolis ER clinic needed help again, she jumped back into part-time ER work.

In 1999 she was asked to help with ER at Northwood Veterinary Hospital in Anderson, where she continues to work ER to this day! This also proved to be such a gift to her professionally and personally as she has met and worked with many talented colleagues, especially Dr. Tim Lee. And she continues to be honored to be exposed to numerous veterinary specialists at this practice! Even though, by reading this, it seems she was working all the time…in 1996 she managed to “squeeze” in the birth of her very best attribute, her son Mac! Time has truly flown by he is attending Indiana University in Bloomington getting his degree from the Kelly School of Business!!!

In her spare time, she travels with Mac, likes to read, and manages to take care of their 3.5 acres and the menagerie of animals including dogs, cats, chickens, and goats. But then wouldn’t you worry about a vet who does not have animals? She loves what she does and cannot imagine having a more rewarding profession! God has truly blessed her with a wonderful family, a multitude of good friends and co-workers, and numerous opportunities that have allowed her to become who she is today! And of course, she can’t forget to acknowledge all the awesome clients and their special pets she has come to know over the years!