Veterinary Technicians    
 
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 degree in Veterinary Technology in 1988.  In her community, she is an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church.  She occasionally speaks at career planning fairs for middle and high schools.  Nancy's family includes her husband Rod, their 3 sons and 2 dogs, a Miniature Schnauzer named Cosmo and a Maltese named Cubby.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching her sons play sports, and singing with her band, the "Distractions". 

Christa Ryburn:  Veterinary Technician
Christa has been in the animal related field since 1991.  She has been at Prairie View since 2001.  She grew up in Shabbona, IL.  Christa attended Kishwaukee Community College and the University of Illinois and received her BS in Animal Science.  Christa is involved with the Waterman Bible Church.   She also enjoys trail riding, 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, Sabrina, and Kelly, 4 cats named Monster, Cheddar, Magee, Pickles, and their 7 horses Teddy, J. G., Shiloh, Delilah, Diamond, Ritz, and Sparky, and their guinea pig named Oreo.

Sarah Koster: Veterinary Technician & Receptionist
Sarah has been in the veterinary field since 1999 and has been with Prairie View 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 3 pets, a cat named Keatzel, a beagle mix named Piper, and a bulldog mix named Miley.     


Charity Wold:  Certified Veterinary Technician 
Charity has been in the animal related field for the majority of her life.  She has helped on the family farm and on the college teaching farm.  Charity has been a technician since 2002.  She has been at Prairie View since 2003.  Charity grew up in Las Animas, CO.  She attended Northeastern Junior College and Colorado Mountain College where she received her AS in Animal Science in 2002.  While in college she was an ambassador at NJC.  Charity and her husband, Andy, recently had a new addition to their family, Allayna Deborah.  Charity also has a cat named Cheyenne and a dog named Zip.  In her spare time, she enjoys running, hiking, and bike riding.  








Client Services Coordinators     
            

   (Pam, Kelly, Nancy M., and Debbie)


Debbie Kakoliris:  Office Manager
Debbie has been in the veterinary field and at Prairie View since 1996.  Debbie grew up in Arlington Heights, IL.  She attended Northern Illinois University and received her Bachelor's degree in Education in 1988.  Debbie is involved in the community by helping support TAILS, our local humane society.  Debbie and her husband Tony and son Paul Anthony, reside in DeKalb with their Siberian Husky, Gunther.  In her spare time she enjoys traveling, scrapbooking, reading, and attending baseball games at different major league parks throughout the United States.














Pam London:  Receptionist  
Pam has been involved in the veterinary field and at Prairie View Animal Hospital since 2000.  She grew up and currently resides in DeKalb, IL with her husband Rod.  Pam has one son, Shawn.  Pam is actively involved each year as a volunteer for Corn Fest and the sound stage.  She has a Beagle mix named Roscoe and a cat named Samantha.  Pam enjoys shopping and spending time with her family and friends.  Pam will greatly miss her companion, Walter, pictured with her at left.  He is gone but not forgotten.















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 liscensed through the USDA as an animal foster home.  In her community, Nancy is President of the Goodfellows Organization and volunteers at TAILS Humane Society.  She speaks to preschool programs about her love of animals.  Nancy has 4 dogs  Leena, Finnigan, Gertie, and Jimmy.  Nancy and her husband Tom live in rural Clare.  They have 4 children:  Sarah, Molly, Ian, and Jake.                                                       
In her spare time, Nancy enjoys cooking, traveling, gardening, and reading.











Amy Griffin:  Receptionist
Amy is a full-time receptionist.  She grew up in Boise, Idaho and attended high school at Cole Valley Christian and then furthered her education at University of Idaho, majoring in Psychology and Communications.  She graduated 2005 with a Bachelor of Science.  Amy currently lives in DeKalb with her husband Nathan, 3 dogs Conan, Toot, and Minnie.  In her spare time, she enjoys basketball, volleyball, and attending NIU football games, where her husband is on staff.













 Support Staff


Zoe Means:  Veterinary Assistant, Kennel Support, Receptionist 
Zoe has been involved in the veterinary field since 2001.  Before coming to Prairie View she volunteered and observed at an emergency clinic.  Zoe has been at Prairie View since 2004.  She currently attends Northern Illinois University for a Bachelor's degree in art, and then plans on working towards becoming a certified veterinary tecnician.  Zoe is on the Dean's List, is in Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi, and is a People to People International Student Ambassador alumni.  She has 3 cats named Daisy, Jitter Bug and Peek. In her spare time, Zoe enjoys rollerblading, photography, and being outdoors. 














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. 












Mindy Seifrid:  Veterinary Assistant, Receptionist
Mindy has been involved in the veterinary field and at Prairie View since 2004.  Mindy grew up in Batavia, IL.  Mindy attended Northern Illinois University and received her Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts in 2004.  She was twice on the Dean's List and was in the honor society.  Mindy also volunteers and works at TAILS.  She has 4 cats named Miya, Cassidy, Fizzy, and Monet.  She also has 2 dogs named Sprout and Cricket.  
                                               
Amanda Johnson: Veterinary Assistant, Receptionist, Kennel Support
Amanda has worked at Prairie View since January of 2008.  She is currently attending Joliet Junior College and is enrolled in their veterinary technician program.  She grew up in Leland, Illinois and attended Leland High School.  She was active in 4-H for 11 years and FFA for 4 years in which she raised and showed pigs for her project.  She has a Border Collie named Buck, an Australian Shepard named Wrigley, a Quaker parrot named Jack, an African Grey parrot named Simba and two cats named Buddy & Peanut. 













Sarah Christensen: Veterinary Assistant, Receptionist
Sarah C. has worked at Prairie View since December 2007.  Sarah grew up in Chicago,  and attended Sycamore High School.  She is currently enrolled in teh Veterinary Technology Distance Learning program at Purdue University.  Sarah has two cats, Muffin and Ash, 1 lepard gecko named New Guy, and 1 frog-eyed gecko named stewie.  When not hard at worka at Prairie View, she enjoys figure skating, horse back riding, and doing yoga.  Sarah has a daughter, Anabelle, who is 3 years old and likes swimming, playing in the snow, and coloring.


Kate Blechschmidt:  Receptionist, Kennel Support
Kate has been involved in the animal-related field since junior high.  She joined our staff in January of 2007 and works part-time.  Kate grew up in Tinley Park, IL until she moved to the Sycamore area where she currently resides.  She and her husband, Matthew, have 4 dogs, Tank, Suki, Rusty, and Maddie, and three cats, Tasha, Penny, and Ash.  Kate enjoys horses and riding, hiking, and camping in her spare time.








Liz Kelly:  Kennel Support
Liz joined joined our staff part-time in 2007.  She grew up in Hampshire and currently lives in DeKalb, IL.  Liz is an active member in her church and bible education.  She has a dog, Maggie, a cat, Tomy, three fish, two newts, and one frog.  Liz enjoys fishing, baking and cooking, painting, pen drawing, and walking her dog in her spare time.

Yvonne Sterkel:  Kennel Support
Yvonne recently joined our staff part-time.  She currently resides in Sycamore, IL where she attends Sycamore High School and plans to graduate in 2008.  Yvonne is active with her church group and also donates time to T.A.I.L.S.  She enjoys her new dog, Mia, and two parakeets, and also likes playing soccer, reading, and hanging out with friends.

Lexie Millburg:  Kennel Support
Lexi recently joined our staff part-time.  She currently resides in Sycamore, IL where she attends Sycamore High School.  Lexie attends St. Mary's Church and is active as a peer minister.  She has a dog named Mae that is about 3 years old.  In Lexie's spare time, she enjoys volleyball, cross-country, and track.

Gail Anderson:  Kennel Support
Gail recently joined our staff part-time and currently resides in Sycamore.  She attends Sycamore High School.  Gail enjoys participating in marching band, choir, jazz choir, madrigals, musicals, and playing the piano.  She has two dogs, Ernie and Smudge.