Debbie Kakoliris: Office Manager, Receptionist:
Debbie has been at Prairie View and in the Veterinary field since May of 1996.  Debbie is married to Tony who is a teacher and baseball coach at West Aurora High School. Together, most of their free time is spent with their son Paul born November, 2006, and their Siberian Husky Gunther born August 2005. Debbie enjoys scrapbooking and traveling to numerous baseball fields around the United States. Debbie grew up in Arlington Heights, and moved to the De Kalb area to study at Northern Illinois University. Debbie graduated from NIU in 1988 with a Bachelor’s in Education.  Debbie is a supporter of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and monetarily donates to this cause.

Nancy Mangan: Receptionist   
Nancy has been in the veterinary field and at Prairie View Animal Hospital since 1999. Nancy attended Kishwaukee Community College and obtained her Associates Degree of Science.  She is also licensed through the USDA as an animal foster home provider.  In her community, Nancy is a member of the Goodfellows Organization and volunteers at TAILS Humane Society, and Feed‘em Soup.  Nancy also leads tours and field trips for a variety of organizations here at the clinic.  She speaks to preschool programs about her love of animals.  Nancy has 3 dogs Finnigan an Irish Wolfhound, Toula an English Mastiff, and Jimmy a Jack Russell Terrier.  She also has 5 cats & cares for 2 mini horses. Nancy and her husband Tom live in rural Clare.  They have 4 grown children:  Sarah, Molly, Ian, and Jake.  In her spare time, Nancy enjoys cooking, traveling, swimming, gardening, and reading.

Nancy Swartzendruber: Certified Veterinary Technician
Nancy has been in the veterinary field since 1988 and has worked in various private practices since 1990.  She has been at Prairie View since 1999. Nancy grew up in Leland, IL.  She attended Parkland College and received her associates degree in Veterinary Technology in 1988.  In her community, she is an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching her sons play sports, and singing with her band, the "Distractions". Nancy's family includes her husband Rod and their three sons Ryan, Curtis, and Brett.  Nancy has 2 dogs; Cubby a Maltese and Bailey a Schnauzer.    

Christa Ryburn:  Veterinary Technician
Christa has been involved with horses most of her life and worked in the animal related field since 1989.  She has been at Prairie View since 2001. She grew up in Shabbona, IL Christa attended Kishwaukee Community College and received her AS in Agriculture and at the University of Illinois she received her BS in Animal Science.  Christa is involved with the Waterman Bible Church. She also enjoys trail riding, horse shows, camping and family time with her husband Dewayne and their children (Riley, Rylie Margaret, Makayla, and Chase).  Their family also includes their dogs Ruby, Minka, Chisum, Pearl and Joey, 1 house cat named Tinsel, and their 6 horses Teddy, J.G., Shiloh, Diamond, Houston, and Sparky.

Sarah Koster: Practice Manager, Veterinary Technician, & Receptionist
Sarah has been in the veterinary field since 1999 and has been with Prairie View Animal Hospital since October of 2002.  She grew up in Hoffman Estates, Illinois and attended James B. Conant High School.  She received her bachelors in liberal arts and sciences with a major in biological sciences and a minor in philosophy from Northern Illinois University in June of 2006. Sarah has a bulldog mix named Miley and 2 cats named Keatzel & Peg Leg. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys traveling, visiting national parks, hiking, and spending time with her friends & very large family.

Sarah Christensen: Veterinary Technician, Receptionist
Sarah has worked at Prairie View since December 2007.  Sarah grew up in Chicago, and moved to the DeKalb area in 1993, where she attended Sycamore High School.  She is currently enrolled at Kishwaukee Community College, working towards a pre-veterinary program.  Sarah has two cats named Muffin and Ash, a Golden Retriever named Rosebud, and several types of birds: finches, chickens, guinea fowl, and a duck named Jet. Sarah and her husband Rodney have a daughter, Anabelle, likes swimming, playing in the snow, and coloring.

Kayleigh Kennedy: Certified Veterinary Technician
Kayleigh has been working in the veterinary field since 2007, and here at Prairie View starting September of 2009.  She grew up on a farm in Shabbona where she attended Indian Creek High School. Kayleigh continued her education at Kishwaukee Community College where she received her Associates degree and her Certification as a Nursing Assistant. In 2008, Kayleigh attended Fox College Veterinary Institute in Tinley Park where she received her Veterinary Technician Certification. Kayleigh’s pets include a German Shepherd named Shade, an Aussie mix puppy named Remmi, and a gelding paint horse named Broker. In her spare time, she enjoys attending truck & tractor pulls, horseback riding, going to fairs, and playing & coaching softball. Kayleigh is also a core volunteer at Feed’em Soup.  

Sarah Schiff: Veterinary Technician, Receptionist
Sarah started here at Prairie View as an intern from Rockford Career College. She was hired as a veterinary technician in June of 2010 after graduating from RCC. Sarah resides in Maple Park with her Norwegian Elkhound named Smokey and a Puggle named Moose. Sarah enjoys all aspects of the veterinary field including assisting in surgeries, periodontal cleanings, and seeing appointments, however, her favorite part of being a veterinary technician is assisting the veterinarian in full diagnostic/medical work up appointments. Sarah enjoys playing sand volleyball during the summer, spending time with her friends, visiting her brother at Fort Hood in Texas, and attending as many Chicago Cubs games as she can!     

Zoe Slagstad: Veterinary Technician, Receptionist
Zoe has been working in the veterinary field and at Prairie View since 2004. Zoe is interested in veterinary dentistry and surgery. Zoe completed additional veterinary dentistry training through Veterinary Support Personnel Network. Zoe grew up here in DeKalb, where she attended Dekalb High School. Zoe continued her education at NIU, and graduated with her Bachelor of Art degree. At NIU, Zoe was on the dean’s list, a member of Phi Eta Sigma & Phi kappa Phi, a Golden Key member, and she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Zoe and her husband Jim have three cats named Daisy, Jitter Bug, and Peek. In her spare time, Zoe enjoys drawing, photography, cooking, and all outdoor activities. Zoe also house sits for those who live in the DeKalb area, just call the clinic and ask for her to schedule.

Kate Blechschmidt: Receptionist, Kennel support
Kate started working in the veterinary field when she was 15 years old as a kennel worker, and has been here at Prairie View Animal Hospital since January of 2007.  In the past, Kate has been a trail escort at a horseback riding stable, a volunteer at wildlife rescues, and a horseback riding instructor for disabled children. Kate and her husband Matt have a Rottweiler mix named Tank, a Shar-pei named Suki, and a Pitt Bull named Olin. In her spare time, Kate enjoys horseback riding, bike riding, camping, and hiking.  Kate also does dog walking & pet-sitting. Contact her at im2critrcrzy@yahoo.com if interested.    

Amanda Beasley: Receptionist, Kennel Support      
Amanda has been working here at Prairie View Animal Hospital since May of 2010.  Amanda is currently in her junior year at DeKalb High School. She is a member at the Fox Valley Saddle Association, and enjoys riding her horses every day. Amanda has two ponies named Buddy and Sierrah, and two quarter horses named Willy and Sox.  She also has multiple dogs including three Labrador Retrievers named Rex, Maggie, and Bailey, a Yorkie-poo named Sophie, and a Bug (Boston Terrior & Pug mix) named Bugsy.  In her spare time, Amanda enjoys playing volleyball and softball, riding her horses, and walking her dogs.          

Liz Kelly: Kennel Support
Liz, a.k.a. “The Cleaning Machine” joined our staff part-time in 2007.  She grew up in Hampshire and currently lives in DeKalb, IL with her family. Liz enjoys a wide variety of activities including drawing, painting, riding her bike, cooking, eating, watching old movies, and spending time with her family & friends. Liz has several family pets consisting of 2 dogs, Hansel & Stella, her cats Rosie & Lilly, a turtle named Senior Huevo, and her fish Stevie & Fernando.

Kate Rendleman: Receptionist & Kennel Support
Kate started at PVAH October of 2011. Kate grew up in Springfield, Illinois and moved to Dekalb to attend Northern Illinois University. She is studying pre-veterinary courses at NIU and plans to graduate in 2013. In her spare Kate enjoys swimming, spending time outside, and watching movies. She is a volunteer at the TAILS Humane Society and attends the TAILS fundraising events. Kate has a black & white loop eared bunny named Alfalfa.

Alyssa Hasiuk: Receptionist
Alyssa has been working at Prairie View Animal Hospital since January of 2012. Alyssa enjoys horseback riding, horseback lessons, and going to horse shows. She is engaged to Dan who is a motorcycle mechanic. She is currently enrolled at Kishwaukee Community College where she is studying to become a radiology technician. She plans to graduate in 2014.

Ashley Reed, PT:  Receptionist     
Ashley has been working in the veterinary field and at Prairie View Animal Hospital since August of 2009.  Ashley grew up in Sycamore and attended Sycamore High School.  She recently graduated from NIU where she achieved her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Ashley is working full time in McHenry, IL as a physical therapist. Ashley and her husband Matt have two Chihuahua “children”, Sadie and Hector Sanchez, and a new Great Dane puppy named Storm.           

Shea Carpenter:  Veterinary Assistant, Kennel Support
Shea has been employed in the animal related field since 2003.  He has been at Prairie View since 2003.  He previously worked as an assistant animal control officer.  Shea grew up in Galesburg, IL.  He attended Carl Sandburg Community College and is currently attending Northern Illinois University.  He is pursuing a degree in Biology/Pre-Veterinary Medicine.  Shea is involved in Phi Theta Kappa and is president of the NIU chapter of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.  He has a dog named Apollo, 2 cats named Eros and Venus, a Leopard Gecko, a Green Iguana named JD, an African Clawed Frog, and various fish. In his spare time, Shea enjoys cycling, hiking, running, skiing, camping, and hanging out with his son Chandler & Daughter Carol.

Riley Ryburn: Kennel Support
Riley has been working at PVAH since September of 2011. She currently resides in Waterman, Illinois where she attends Indian Creek High School and has been awarded with high honor roll. Riley is currently involved in 4-H & FFA. In her spare time Riley enjoys riding and training her painted horse mare, JG, playing soccer, & playing in the school band. Riley also enjoys time spent with her mixed breed dog Ruby. Riley is considering going into veterinary medicine after she graduates from high school.

Scot Bishop: Kennel Support
Scot started here at PVAH part time in November of 2011. He is currently enrolled at Sycamore High School, but will be graduating early to start his collage career at Northern Illinois Universisty. Scot & his family have a Jack Russell Terrier named Chester. Scot is very passionate about playing the drums & has mastered his talent over the last 9 years.

Lexie Millburg:  Summer Kennel Support
Lexi has been working at PVAH since June of 2008.She is a lifelong resident of Sycamore Illinois and graduated from Sycamore High School in 2010. Lexi currently attends Illinois State University where she is majoring in speech pathology. In her free time, Lexi tutors adults with down syndrome and she is involved with the Student Speech Hearing Association. Lexi enjoys coming home over breaks and summers to see her PVAH co-workers, family, and her terrier mix dog, Mae.

Gail Anderson: Summer Kennel Support