Our Staff

Meet Our Veterinarians

Animal Hospital — Veterinarian with Dog and Cat in His Hands in St. Joseph, IL
Terri Birk, DVM graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 1979. She opened St. Joseph Animal Hospital in 1984. Known as an exceptional diagnostician, Dr. Birk has provided care for countless dogs and cats in the community. She particularly enjoys complicated internal medicine cases. Outside of work, Terri competes in Combined Driving Events with horses she has raised and trained herself.  
Mary Duncan, DVM graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 1981. After working at St. Joseph Animal Hospital part time for a year, Dr. Duncan was hired as Dr. Birk's first Associate Veterinarian in 1986 and has been a mainstay of the practice ever since. She is the primary surgeon at St. Joseph Animal Hospital and estimates she has spayed over 20,000 dogs during her tenure in east central Illinois. When away from veterinary medicine, Mary loves to travel. She has most recently enjoyed time in Ireland, Alaska, and on a sailing trip near St. Thomas.
Kyle Johnson, DVM graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. The son of Dr. Birk, Kyle grew up at St. Joseph Animal Hospital. Owner of four Maine Coon cats and lover of Pit Bull Terriers, Dr. Johnson often jokes that he'd like to own a veterinary practice named "Pitties and Kitties." Outside of his time at the animal hospital, Kyle helps coach the St. Joseph Odgen High School boys wrestling team.  
Jennifer Miller, DVM graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. Dr. Miller spent five years working as a veterinarian in Chicago before moving to the Champaign-Urbana area in 2004. Dr. Miller joined the team at St. Joseph Animal Hospital in 2014, bringing with her a tremendous wealth of knowledge and experience. When Jenn is away from the hospital, she runs a small hobby farm where she keeps goats, chickens, and mules.  
Leah Bruce, CVT born and raised in St. Joseph, Leah began working for St. Joseph Animal Hospital in 2004 while attending Eastern Illinois University. She graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Leah then pursued her Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology at Parkland College and graduated in 2009. Leah has been working in the field since then, and began as a full-time technician at St. Joseph in 2016. In her spare time she enjoys riding her bicycle and going on walks with her husband and 3 dogs.
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