Stephen Juriga, DVM, DAVDC

Why I Do What I Do

Being a veterinarian is the only thing I ever wanted to do. I grew up on a farm in Wheaton, Illinois with dogs, cats, sheep, horses, and chickens. Growing up I observed and then was recruited to help Dr. McCaslin care for our animals. In those days, he would stay for dinner after treating one of our animals and tell amazing stories.

After 15 years in general practice, I was accepted into a dental residency at the University of Illinois under board-certified veterinary dentist and surgeon, Dr. Sandra Manfra. I cannot thank my wife and family enough for making it possible for me to travel to Champaign (over four years), maintain my caselogs, complete my required publications, and study for dental specialty boards. Now, I have the pleasure to perform a wide variety of specialized dental and oral surgical procedures for companion animals as well as zoo and aquatic animals.

Memorable Moments

The relationships I’ve had with my patients and their parents over 30 years have been priceless. Most recently, I was fortunate to provide oral surgery and extractions on Ramar, a 50-year-old gorilla (the third-oldest gorilla in captivity) at Brookfield Zoo. Ramar had heart disease and we were tasked with providing efficient oral evaluation and dental extractions while an orthopedic surgeon performed arthroscopic knee surgery under the same anesthetic. Ramar had three diseased molars, received surgical extractions, and made an excellent recovery. I have a finger painting from the “Big Guy” as a thank you!

The Other Love of My Life

Beyond my great wife and four lovely children, we have been blessed with four golden retrievers that exemplify the description “man’s greatest companion” (dogs). Lance joined the family as a 10-year-old Good as Gold rescue with multiple health problems. After a few months of treatment for heartworm disease, two cancer surgeries, and root canal therapy, he spent four years mostly with our daughter Grace at college. Holiday and summer breaks were a joy with Lance. Most recently we added Sperry, a 5-year-old Good as Gold rescue that has overcome anxiety to fit in the family.

Education & Credentials

Doctorate, University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, 1987 Diplomate, American Veterinary Dental College, 2007 AVDC Certificate Holder, Zoo and Wildlife Dentistry Board Certified Veterinary Dentist™ Robert Wiggs Outstanding Candidate Award, 2007

Service & Affiliations

Medical Advisory Board of Brookfield Zoo and Shedd Aquarium Co-author of the 2013 American Animal Hospital Association Dental Care Guidelines Member, American Veterinary Medical Association Member, American Animal Hospital Association Member, American Association of Feline Practitioners Member, Illinois Veterinary Medical Association

Professional Publications

Juriga S, Manfra S. Mineral Trioxide Aggregate for Apexification of Non-vital Premature Teeth. Journal of Vet Dentistry 2007, Vol 24, 4: 274–77. Juriga S, Manfra S, Weeks S. Endodontic Treatment of a Non-vital Permanent Tooth with an Open Apex using Mineral Trioxide Aggregate. Journal of Vet Dentistry 2008, Vol 25, 3: 189–195. Holmstrom SE, Bellows J, Juriga S, et al. 2013 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 2013, 49(2): 75–82. Juriga S, Bilyard K. Working Dog Dentistry. In Working Dogs: An Update for Veterinarians. Vol 51, Issue 4, July 2021, pp. 779–802. Juriga S, Startup S. Designing and Equipping a Modern Dentistry and Oral Surgical Suite. In Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery (in publication 2021).