Small Animal Veterinarian · Researcher · Elite Fear Free Professional

No moment of care is ordinary.

Considerate, curious, whole-hearted care for pets and the people who love them.

Compassion in action. Science in service. Purpose in every moment.

Vision

To cultivate a veterinary world where healing is practiced with presence, dignity, and compassion — recognizing that no moment of care is ordinary, and no one stands alone within it.

Mission Statement

I show up with attention, compassion, and integrity — caring for animals with clinical excellence, supporting people with empathy and clarity, and contributing to research that helps veterinary professionals flourish.

Core Values

Core Values of Dr. Emi LLC

OASIS — the values beneath the work. They're operational, not aspirational: they describe how I practice, not who I hope to become.

OASIS core values: Omoiyari (compassionate consideration), Avodah (meaningful work), Shalom (wholeness), Ikigai (work that feels alive), and Studium (relentless curiosity).

Omoiyari Japanese · oh-moh-ee-yah-ree

Compassionate consideration. I pause to imagine what you and your pet are carrying before I act. Care here is a posture, not a transaction.

Avodah Hebrew · ah-voh-DAH

Meaningful work. I treat this as a calling, not just a job, and show up fully because it matters — to your animal, to you, and beyond.

Shalom Hebrew · sha-LOME

Wholeness. I work toward flourishing, not merely the absence of harm. Nothing broken, nothing missing.

Ikigai Japanese · ee-kee-GUY

Work that feels alive. I protect the place where what you love, what you're good at, and what the world needs overlap.

Studium Latin · STOO-dee-um

Relentless curiosity. I hold my knowledge loosely and my questions tightly, learning continuously so you get my best, most current thinking.

About

Hi, I'm Dr. Emi Hayashi.

I'm a small animal veterinarian with more than two decades of experience across general practice, urgent care, and emergency medicine. I earned my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University and my PhD at Southern Illinois University. I'm an Elite Fear Free Practitioner, Level 3 — which means gentle, low-stress handling is at the heart of how I care for your pets.

My neuroscience background shapes how I practice: evidence-based, with real attention to behavior, comfort, and the bond between you and your animal. I also care deeply about the wellbeing of the people and professionals in veterinary medicine.

I see patients clinically at Thrive Veterinary Hospital, Elmhurst. For medical appointments, please book through the hospital directly.

DVM, Cornell PhD, Neuroscience Elite Fear Free, Level 3 20+ years experience

Trusted Sites

Places I recommend

Reputable organizations I trust and point clients toward. These open in a new tab.

Fear Free Happy HomesLow-stress care Cat Friendly HomesFeline wellbeing VOHCDental products

Get In Touch

Reach Dr. Emi

The right path depends on what you need.

Email

For general questions, speaking, and research inquiries.

Email me

Book a check-in

Schedule a phone check-in with me when I'm away from Elmhurst.

Book on Koalendar

Medical appointments

Book an in-person visit through my clinic, Thrive Elmhurst.

Go to Thrive

Refill Request

Request a prescription refill through the Thrive Elmhurst online pharmacy.

Request refill

Clinical veterinary care is provided through Thrive Veterinary Hospital, Elmhurst. For medical appointments, please contact the hospital directly.