This week's Patch Portraits also features a Skokie mosque leader who's building a community and an Oak Park basketball coach turning his illness into a message.

After recently leaving Highland Park's Cairo Animal Hospital, where he was employed for 24 years, veterinarian Ben Shechter began taking on house calls as his main means of employment.

"I slowly built up through the phone book and word of mouth a small following, and I've been doing them ever since," said Shechter. 

Earlier: Check out the entire Parth Portrait archives.

Shechter told Patch he can do pretty much everything veterinarians do at an animal hospital during home visits, except more major operations. When the need arises, he has access to hospital equipment at a facility in Wheeling, where a veterinarian friend has an office.

The Buffalo Grove resident says he may want to get a clinic of his own someday. But for now, he is enjoying this way of life. His patients, and their owners, surely appreciate it as well.