Jennifer Boonstra-Hood, DVM, MPH, Dipl. ACVPM

Dr. Jennifer Boonstra-Hood is an experienced exotics veterinarian that has experience with a wide range of species. A 2006 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Boonstra-Hood also holds a Master’s degree in Public Health, is board certified with the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, and is currently preparing to sit for American College of Zoologic Medicine board certification. She is certified in veterinary acupuncture through The Chi University and Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy (chiropractic) through Healing Oasis Wellness Center. 

Dr. Boonstra serves as a part-time Adjunct Professor at the Rockford Career College Veterinary Technician Program, where she teaches the veterinary exotics course. She also provides veterinary care to wildlife at Hoo Haven Wildlife Center, and provides veterinary care to the animals at Randall Oaks Zoo in West Dundee. She serves on the AVMA Clinical Practitioners Advisory Committee for zoo and wildlife. She also supports various animal shelters. She has previously sat on the Board of Directors for the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council and ACVPM.

In addition, Dr Boonstra collaborates with the University of Illinois Medical School in Rockford, assisting with the care of their laboratory animals and contributing as a member of the Biological Resources Committee.

During veterinary school she followed a custom track in exotics, doing externships at the Virginia Wildlife Center, Brookfield Zoo, Minnesota Raptor Center, White Oak Conservation Center, Willowbrook Wildlife Center, the Marine Mammal Center, Georgia Aquarium, the exotics/zoo departments of the University of TN and LSU, and a hands-on veterinary wildlife conservation course in South Africa. 

Dr. Boonstra completed a 1-year veterinary fellowship at Shedd Aquarium, where she conducted original research on blood tube types for progesterone testing in beluga whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins, parasitic treatment of jellyfish, the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in American flamingos, and the pharmacokinetics of Tramadol in California Sea Lions at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA. She has previously worked at several zoos and was the sole veterinarian for a collection of almost 500 animals of 135 different species and has also worked at other exotics specialty hospitals. She is a member of several committees with the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, and has contributed to their Infectious Disease Manual.

Outside of her professional and volunteer commitments, Dr. Boonstra-Hood enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle with her husband, which includes gardening, hiking, skiing, kayaking and beekeeping. They have a blended family, which includes two daughters, two dogs, and several beloved cats.