Certified Veterinary Technician
Shawn CVT
About myself: I graduated from Joliet Junior College in 2004 as a certified veterinary technician. I am proud that I have the knowledge and hands on skills that help me make a difference everyday.
Pets: Zoey (Domestic Shorthair Cat)
Hobbies: Shooting pool, motorcycle riding, spending time with friends and family
Favorite thing about my job: Knowing that I influence every patient's life and the laughter that comes with working with animals
Certified Veterinary Technician
Laura CVT 
About myself: I graduated from Joliet Junior College in May 2006 as a certified veterinary technician. I have 2 older sisters and my parents own Al Cioni Ford in Granville. My favorite food is pasta or anything Italian.
Pets: I have a gray & white cat that came to Ancare as a stray (Waylon). We bottle fed him and he is the cutest little devil you ever seen. I lost my calico cat Snooky, in April 2007. (You can see Snooky on our soft tissue surgery page. She had a cancer on her nose and it was cured with surgery.) She died from end- stage kidney failure.
Hobbies: Sports, movies, running, motor cycle rides, reading, scrapbooking, spending quality time with my fiance - Jared, walking our dog - Carmela, hanging out with my sisters and friends, and watching the CUBS!
Favorite thing about my job: It's the greatest feeling nurturing a pet back to health and seeing them reunite with their owners.
Physical Therapy Assistant
Teri 
About myself: I love physical therapy! Catie sustained an injury when she was young and I had to do extensive physical therapy. As a client, I found out first hand how important physical therapy is. Since that time, I have completed 3 legs of 5 for becoming certified in canine rehabilitation at the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida. I also enjoy interior decorating, in fact, I planned the new updated look at both the clinics.
Pets: Catie, Mattie & Otter, my Golden Retrievers
Hobbies: Spending time with my dogs,training, going to dog shows. Outdoor activities, running, decorating and traveling.
Favorite thing about my job: Ancare is a fun place to work. Everyone is friendly, loves taking caring of animals. At Ancare I enjoy coming to work and seeing the animal-human bond between our patients and clients. It is always rewarding when you can help a fellow animal lover. The best part is all the puppy kisses and happy tail wags!
Veterinary Assistant
Tana
About myself: I am married to Joe Lance and we live southeast of Triumph. I have two adult children, Jay,Jessica,and one stepson, Anthony. I enjoy spending time with my husband and children in addition to raising alpacas on our farm.
Pets: I have 8 dogs, 4 cats, 30 alpacas, koi, among other farm animals which include: geese, ducks, laying hens, & guinea hens. Sarge (African Grey Parrot) is the newest addition to our family.
Hobbies: I enjoy weaving and working with the alpaca fleece making a variety of products. I also enjoy doing oil painting when I find some extra time.
Favorite thing about my job: I enjoy educating the clients on the proper care for their pet. For instance, proper ear cleaning, the importance of keeping dogs on heartworm preventative, etc... I feel good about helping to make a sick pet healthy. Pets coming into the clinic are sometimes very scared. It really makes my day knowing once we treat them, they can go home with their owners happy and healthy.
Veterinary Assistant
Deanna
About Myself: I recently relocated from Pennsylvania, back to the Illinois Valley area. I'm keeping myself very busy evolving everyday, living and loving life with my family and friends. I'm the proud mother of three amazing children, Chase, Tristan, and Grace Emily. I'm a graduate of IVCC. I started my career in Veterinary Medicine with Dr. Dullard years ago and I'm very glad to be back with all of you!
Pets: My beautiful 7 year old Golden Retriever and very best friend, Calvin.
Hobbies: Running, hiking, spending some quiet time at Starved Rock State Park, reading, continuing my education, and last but not least spending time with those I love!
Favorite thing about my job: Giving peace of mind and excellent care to those we value most at Ancare, our clients!
Public Relations/Reception
Emily
About myself: I graduated from Eureka College with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication-Public Relations. While at Eureka I was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority. I am happy to be working at Ancare.
Pets: I have two dogs, Max is 9 and Toby is 8. They are both part Bichon Frise and part Maltese. I also have a cat named Dutchess. She is a pure white domestic long hair.
Hobbies: Spending time with my family, fiance Mike, and friends. I like to sing, coach cheerleading at Mendota High School, go to sporting events, concerts, musicals, and shopping with my mom and sister.
Favorite thing about my job: I like building relationships with our clients and their pet(s). It is rewarding to work in a place where animals receive excellent care.
Reception
Pat
About myself: I'm an outdoor fan who enjoys hiking, biking, swimming, horseback riding and working in the yard. My all time favorite thing to do is spend quality time with my grandsons Dalton and Brady.
Pets: Carmi, my corgi and best walking buddy I've ever had. Madeline & Stevie are stray cats from the clinic that make my house a home.
Hobbies: Hooked on my Nintendo Wii, reading and working at staying fit (daily walks with Carmi).
Favorite thing about my job: I enjoy the variety of each day with all the different pets and their owners. Watching the love they share.
Reception
Amy
About myself: I am a scorpio. Born and raised in this area. I am very close to my family and enjoy spending quality time with them. I am also a food network addict who loves to cook.
Pets: "Krusty" the cat.(He came with the name.) Krusty is a black and white DLH that I adopted from Ancare. (or did he adopt me?)
Hobbies: Nature hikes, bike riding, swimming, piano playing, scrapebooking, cat naps, movies and cooking.
Favorite thing about my job: I love seeing and caring for the variety of animals that come in each day. I get satisfaction educating and helping pet owners the best way I can. Your pet is part of your family and ours here at Ancare.
Reception
Mel
About myself: I live at Piety Hill with my sidekick Darryl. I am now working 3 days a week. All my life I have been around animals and always had a horse.
Pets: "Coosa Miss" - 7 year old APHA mare, "Miss Fillee I Am" - yearling APHA mare, and "Kacee" - 3 year old Black Tri Aussie
Hobbies: Flower gardening, horse shows and auctions, working with my horses
Favorite thing about my job: I like being able to meet and visit with the clients and their pets. I like helping people with their pet concerns or problems. I have worked for Dr. Dullard for 10 years.
Reception
Jan
About Myself: I graduated from IVCC. I live in North Utica with my husband Greg and my two children, Scott and Gina. I have been married for 26 years. My family and I love the outdoors and spending time at our cabin on a lake.
Pets: I have two dogs. Choo Choo is a Collie/Sheltie mix. She got her name because I found her stuck in a train wheel as a puppy. Blackie is a Black Lab and he became part of our family in 2006. He is from Florida and is considered to be a "Gator Lab" because of his high bloodline.
Hobbies: Walking on the tow path with my family, gardening, boating, and hiking at Starved Rock. I am a very nature oriented person. I enjoy watching deer, wild turkeys, fox, and coyotes from our back yard woods.
Favorite thing about my job: I enjoy working with a wonderful team and Doctors. The animals that come into Ancare Vet Clinic are a joy to see. I love knowing that the animals have excellent care.
Kennel Supervisor
Nancy
About myself: I live with my husband, Bob, just outside of Mendota on 6 acres. We have 5 children, 3 boys and 2 girls. We have 5 grandchildren, 4 girls and 1 boy.
Pets: We have 4 dogs. Duke- a shepherd mix, Sadie- a lab mix, Sasha- a German Shepard, and Honey- a rat terrier.
Hobbies: Quality time with Bob, walking the dogs, having the grandkids over and motorcycle riding. I enjoy cooking, baking and reading my favorite author -Dean Koontz.
Favorite thing about my job: I love seeing the animals every day and trying to make their lives better.
Reception/ Veterinary Assistant
Laura
About myself: I have five members in my family. I have an older sister and brother, I am the youngest. I am attending Aurora University studying to be a social worker and also going to be a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor.
Pets: I have a cat name Lilly that I adopted from the clinic.
Hobbies: I enjoy running and playing with my niece and nephew. I also enjoy spending time with my boyfriend and his yellow Labs, Doc and Trigger.
Favorite thing about my job: I love knowing I will be helping animals and giving them what they need.
Ancare Pets-Spring Valley
Bob
About Myself: I live and work in the Spring Valley Clinic. I am a great greeter and I help the receptionists scan documents into the computer. Shawna is my best friend!
Pets: Dr. Dullard, Dr. Ford and the Staff.
Hobbies: My hobbies are getting my head scratched, eating, greeting the clients, going on adventures in the garage, and playing hide and seek.
Favorite thing about my job: Hanging out with the staff in the office and taking naps on Dr. Dullards desk!
Shawna
About myself: I was a stray that found a home at the Spring Valley clinic. I was a Certified Veterinary Technician in my past life. I like to observe Shawn and Laura to make sure they are doing a good job. Sometimes I even help them out.
Pets: Dr. Dullard, Dr. Ford, and the rest of the Ancare Spring Valley staff.
Hobbies: My hobbies are watching water, grabbing paper as it goes into a printer, getting in the way, and playing in the exam rooms. I also like to unroll all of the paper towels in the exam rooms.
Favorite thing about my job: I love getting to hang out with humans and watch them do tricks!
Ancare Pets-Mendota
Bobby
About Myself: I live at Ancare in Mendota and have a wonderful life.
Hobbies: Taking naps in the lunch room, working on my tan, stretching, playing hide and seek, and eating my hypoallergenic cat food.
Pets: The Ancare people!
Favorite thing about my job: I like being able to be in a safe environment!
Elvira
About Myself: I was a stray cat and feel very lucky to have found Ancare. It is the best place for me!
Hobbies: I love to eat, eat and eat!!! Food is my favorite thing in the whole world. I also like to sun myself and lay on the front counter to greet customers and their pets.
Pets: Pat, Jan, and Nancy are my sweet pets.
Favorite thing about my job: I get to work on my tan!! I also enjoy greeting the customers and being able to sneek treats!
In Rememberance
Miss Kitty
(Passed away in June of 2009 at age 12.)
About Miss Kitty: Miss Kitty loved food and sleeping. She was a member of the Ancare family in Mendota.
Hobbies: She used to hunt for mice but did not have much luck, loved to sit in the glass cat display and watch the people that came into the clinic, and nap in the back room.
Favorite thing about my job: Since she lived at her place of work, she would get up in the morning, eat breakfast, take a nap, and then walk around the clinic to make sure the Doctors and staff were doing their job.
Spanky
(Passed away in October of 2009 at age 17.)
About Spanky: Spanky was given up for adoption several years ago but was able to find a bunk at Hotel Ancare in Mendota. He loved to greet all of the clients that came into the clinic. People always commented on his "Lion Haircut" given to him by Tana. Everyone thought he was a cool cat!
Pets: Dr. Dullard and the rest of the staff were his pets.
Hobbies: His hobbies were taking naps in the laundry room, sunning on the lobby benches, helping the receptionists and greeting every person and pet that came into Ancare.
