Laurene, Branch Manager

Laurene with Livvie, Ollivander and Ellie Mae.

Laurene joined the WAC team as the receptionist in 2001 and became the Branch Manager in 2004. She brings the hometown touch to the reception area as she has lived in the Winnebago area her entire life. She has always had a great love for animals growing up next to her grandparent's small farm where there were always horses, cats, dogs and other farm animals.

Laurene still lives in the Winnebago area with her husband Bob and their three sons, Zachary, Evan and Jared. They have a Chocolate Labrador, Ellie Mae, an English Bulldog, Olivia (Livvie) and a Siamese mix cat, Ollivander. Laurene enjoys watching her boys play soccer and basketball and being involved in their school activities, reading, quilting, flower gardening, painting, music and going to concerts. She also enjoys playing Celtic music on her hammered dulcimer with Bob, who plays the guitar. Together, they are half of the folk music group, Heritage Strings. She has also been taking violin lessons since October of 2005 and is hoping to someday become an accomplished Celtic fiddler!

Laurene enjoys working in the community she grew up in which gives her the opportunity to maintain old friendships as well as the opportunity to make new ones. She laughs when she says if you see her out and about, she might not remember your name, but it's possible she would remember what kind of dog you have and what it's name is!

Karen, Receptionist

WAC's part time receptionist, Karen.

Karen joined the WAC team in January 2005. She has always had a love for animals and has had many cats and dogs in the past. Since starting here, she has learned many new things about pets and has recently adopted a stray Pomeranian she named Scamper.

Karen has two grown children: Angela and Steve, and three grandchildren: Megan, Jacob and Samantha. Karen enjoys her grandchildren along with their pets so when she is babysitting her grandkids; she animal sits too! Karen enjoys doing artwork including painting, pencil and chalk drawings. She also decorates specialty cakes.

Karen finds that working in the veterinary field is very rewarding and she especially enjoys when our puppy and kitten patients come to visit!

Julie, CVT
Julie has been involved in the veterinary community since 1993. After graduating with her Associate of Applied Science degree from Argosy University in Minnesota, she became a Certified Veterinary Technician in 2002.

Her interests include small animal behavior and obedience; cooking and rugby are two of her favorite past times. She spends her free time with her Great Dane (Nez), Chinese Crested (Mochi), and her four cats.

Merrell, Veterinary Assistant

Merrell & her dogs Rambler, Koby and Rascal.

Merrell started at Animal Medical Clinic in 1998 as a Kennel Attendant. After being in that position for a year, she was promoted to Kennel Manager. At that time, she also began assisting the technicians and Drs. at that location. She joined the WAC Team in 2004 as a Vet Assistant and has been a valuable asset to the team there ever since.

Merrell and her husband Rick were married in 1977 and together have three grown children: Mary, Jason and Brian and three grandchildren, Malorie, Morgan and Brenden. They have three dogs: Rascal and Max -- both Australian Cattle Dogs, and Rambler -- a Pomeranian. They also have six horses, three miniature horses and a donkey, along with several barn cats that keep all the animals in the barn company. *Merrell lost Koby in 2006 to lymphoma.

When Merrell isn't working, she enjoys horseback riding and reading. The most memorable moment of her career is having a mountain lion come in for surgery.
 

Danielle, Kennel Attendant
Danielle has been with the Animal Medical Clinic Group for over three years. She graduated from East High School, and is currently attending college to eventually become a veterinarian. Danielle has a pet family that consists of three dogs, two cats, and two parakeets. Danielle enjoys taking her dogs to the park in her free time.

Brandy, Kennel Attendant
Brandy has worked for the Animal Medical Clinic Group for almost four years. Besides taking care of the animals in the kennel, Brandy is also a full-time student at Rock Valley College where she is working on her nursing degree.