We Care About Animal Welfare, and That Speaks Volumes

Dr. Lori Wyatt, has practiced veterinary medicine for over 26 years after graduating from the Tuskegee School of Veterinary Medicine in 1990 as a member of the prestigious Phi Zeta Honor Society for male and female veterinarians. She moved to Illinois in 1991 after her small animal medicine and surgery internship at Purdue University. After 5 combined years of practice at the DuPage Animal Hospital in Villa Park and the Country Court Animal Hospital in Buffalo Grove, she founded The Animal Doctor hospital in Cary in 1996. Seeking to contribute to the career and/or retirement goals of other veterinarians who wished to sell the great practices that they owned, she acquired the Sycamore Animal Hospital in 2013 and the Animal Medical Center of Crystal Lake in 2015. Dr. Wyatt enjoys soft-tissue surgery, is an accomplished orthopedic surgeon, and she’s always delighted to share the teaching and continued learning of veterinary medicine with her colleagues. In her spare time, she enjoys gourmet cooking, interior decorating, painting, music, bible study, singing with her church choir, and walking her dog, Kaleb. She also enjoys spending time with her husband (Karl), her daughter (Karla) and with her extended family in Kentucky, Ohio and Maryland.

Dr. Ann Brooks, DVM has worked at Animal Medical Center in Crystal Lake since July 2002. She received a bachelors degree in 1980 and a masters degree in 1983 for animal science from the University of Missouri. She graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 1988 and completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery from the University of Illinois in 1989. After moving to the Chicagoland area, she worked for 12 years at an American Animal Hospital accredited practice in Hoffman Estates. She then moved to Huntley. Dr Brooks has a special interest in surgery and dentistry. She has three cats and when she is not working or spending time with her pets she enjoys reading, walking and spending time with friends in aviation.

Dr. Lacey Schmidt, DVM received her B.S. in Animal Science in 2003 and DVM degree in 2007 from Iowa State University. She then completed a rotating small animal internship at New England Animal Medical Center in West Bridgewater, MA. Upon completion of her internship, Dr. Schmidt moved to Illinois and worked as an emergency and critical care veterinarian at a local specialty practice for 5 ½ years before joining The Animal Doctor in December 2013. Dr. Schmidt has special interests in neurology, surgery, abdominal ultrasound, emergency medicine, and hospice care. Outside of work, Dr. Schmidt enjoys spending time with her husband, T.J and two daughters, Morgan and Rylie. When she's not running after 2 small children, she enjoys biking, cooking, and spending time with friends.

Dr. Erin George, DVM joined the AMC team in June 2015. She received her B.S. in Animal Sciences from the University of Illinois and completed her DVM degree at Purdue University. She enjoys all aspects of general practice, but her special interests include oncology, internal medicine, surgery, abdominal ultrasound, and preventative care. In her free time, Dr. George enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs, Harley and Nemy. She also enjoys reading, traveling, and playing tennis & volleyball.

Dr. Scott Jarrett, DVM joined the AMC staff in May, 2016 after practicing in the state of Georgia, he moved to Illinois and practiced in Palatine, Hoffman Estates, and Algonquin. Since his graduation in 2001, preventative medicine, dermatology, and surgery are all points of interest for him. “Dr Scott,” as he is affectionately known, has three cats Vinnie, Rocco, and Batman and a small mixed breed terrier named Smush. Most of all he loves to spend time with his bride, Sara and his children Elizabeth and William.

Pat has been with AMC for 27 years as Office Manager and receptionist. Pat loves talking with clients getting to know them and their four-legged kids. Pat and her husband of 42 years have lived in Crystal Lake since 1976. Together they have raised two children, who are married and live and work still in the area. Between them they have given Pat and her husband 3 terrific grandkids. Between the grandkids and work Pat and her husband enjoy antiquing.

Barb has been at the Animal Medical Center for 21 years. She enjoys interacting with both her human clients and their pets. She especially likes watching the pets grow to adulthood and assisting in their care throughout their life stages. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her husband Ron whom she met after he started working at Animal Medical Center also. She and Ron married in April 2008. She also enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her 3 dogs (Burish, Siri, and Mirra) as well as her 2 cats, Noonan and Darwin.

When Leona joined Animal Medical Center in 1993 her mother was not surprised. “She has been kissing dogs on the nose since she was a baby”. This love of animals helps Leona aid and comfort pets and their owners through the experience of their veterinary visit; from their phone call to walking out the door. Leona and her husband of 39 years, Dave, have had the adventure of knowing one Dachshund mix, six cats and seven pugs (but not necessarily at one time). When she is not chasing pug puppy Mudge around her loves are reading, quilts and collecting teapots and hosta (she has over 200 varieties of hosta), which are not food group items despite what Pudge pug thought.

Leona graduated from William Raney Harper College in 1985 with a degree in fashion design.

Heidi has worked at Animal Medical Center going on 16 years. A receptionist up front, she also orders special-diet RX (prescription) foods for all of our pet friends. She enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, boating, skiing and other outdoor activities.

Terri has been with Animal Medical Center since 2014. She feels the best part of her job is interacting with our clients and their pets. She enjoys spending time with the animals watching them grow and thrive from puppies and kittens into adulthood and senior years. When not at work, Terri enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and beloved pets. In her free time, she goes to many sporting events, enjoys plays, concerts, and loves to travel.

Jody has been a client at the Animal Medical Center for 16 years and in 2015 she joined the Animal Medical team as a Receptionist. Along with scheduling medical appointments and maintaining patient records, her primary responsibility is to ensure our clients and their pets feel welcome and comfortable. Jody enjoys working at the Animal Medical Center because she loves being part of such a wonderful, caring and compassionate veterinarian team. She is always happy to see an old furry friend or meet a new one! Jody loves all kinds of furr-babies but orange tabbies are especially near and dear to her heart as she has two orange kitties at home named Maceo and Myles. 

Karen worked with Dr Wyatt previously before coming to Amc in the fall of 2016 as a receptionist as well as a tech assistant. Prior to that, she was a stay at home mom for 13 years and decided that it was time to go back to work with animals again. Before she and her husband started a family, she worked as a receptionist/ vet assistant for 11 years. She has 2 teenagers, Rachel and Daniel, 2 dogs, and 2 cats. In her free time, she takes her kids to their after school activities, enjoys walks with the dogs, working out at the gym, going out with friends and spending time with her family.

Alicia has worked at Animal Medical Center since 2005 as a technician, and has recently been promoted to technician manager. She also works part time at an equine practice, combining her love of horses and veterinary work. Alicia studied Animal Science at Cedar Valley College. Alicia, her husband Eric, daughter Ashleigh, and step daughter Samantha, have 2 dogs, Brewski and Casey. When she's not chasing her daughters or dogs around, she enjoys horseback riding and reading.

Ron, CVT, graduated from Bel-Rea in December, 2003. He started at AMC in January, 2004. Ron enjoys outdoors, sports, going for motorcycle rides with his wife, and spending time with his 3 dogs and 2 cats.

Brittany rejoined AMC in 2015 after becoming a graduate of the Veterinary Technician program at Fox College. She has a special place in her heart for Golden Retrievers. When Brittany isn't at work she enjoys spending her free time with family and friends or outdoor activities.

Becky CVT, joined the AMC crew in February of 2013, she graduated and received her Associate's Degree in Applied Science from Rockford Career College in October of 2012; Followed by passing her Veterinary Technician National Exam and receiving her Certified Veterinary Technician License in December of 2012. She has loved and had animals since she was a child and had always hoped to eventually work with them. She worked in small parts with animals while growing into an adult before she decided to go to school. She has 3 cats (Helix, Odie, and Tyger) and 1 dog (Oxy). She loves to laugh, sing, workout and be with her friends and family (including her fur babies). She would love to meet you all, so come on in and introduce yourself!

Michelle started working at Animal Medical Center since July 2015. Michelle studied at Animal Behavior College for Certified Veterinary Assistant in April 2014 and graduated in February 2015. As a CVA, my responsibilities are assisting doctors with various x-rays, examinations, running lab work on our in house equipment and other various procedures of animal care. Michelle owns two cats named River and Athalia that she loves to cuddle and spend time with. In her spare time, Michelle loves to hand raise, rehabilitate exotic animals from small mammals to reptiles and release them back into their natural habitat.