Emergency Veterinary Clinic Illinois Feline veterinary hospitals

	Staff Dr. Nelson graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002 with Highest Honors. His professional interests include preventative medicine, both soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, and nutrition. He has significant surgical experience, from laser surgery to advanced orthopedic procedures. His first priority is always the pet’s quality of life, and he strives to improve that quality by providing the highest quality veterinary medicine and surgery. He bought Kuhns Animal Clinic in July 2008 for two reasons. First, he loves Geneseo and the surrounding community. He is a very big fan of the Andy Griffith Show, and he always says that Geneseo is a modern day Mayberry. It is an ideal place to raise a family and call “home”. The people are so friendly and really love their pets. Second, Dr. Kuhns had a wonderful practice and reputation, and Dr. Nelson wants Maple Ridge Veterinary Clinic to continue that tradition. Dr. Nelson is married to his high school sweetheart, Faith. Both of them grew up in Dallas City, IL (near Nauvoo, IL), graduated from Dallas City High School and Monmouth College. Together, they have three children: Hayley, Drew, and Sydney. They also have several “four legged children”, a golden retriever named Duncan, a Labrador retriever named Chief Oskee Bow Wow, along with cats Einstein, Woody, and Jessie. On November 11, 2011, Dr. Nelson received the Dr. Erwin Small First Decade Award at the 129th Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association annual meeting in Peoria. The award is given annually to one veterinarian who has graduated from veterinary college within the last 10 years. It recognizes someone who represents high standards of professionalism and demonstrates leadership in programs approved by the ISVMA. He was also elected and installed as a member of the Board of Directors of the ISVMA at the same meeting. Dr. Nelson is featured on the first Monday of the month on Paula Sands Live for their “Ask the Vet” segment. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Mentor Program, and the Geneseo Kiwanis Club. He also serves on the board of directors of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, the Mississippi Valley Veterinary Medical Association, the Animal Emergency Center of the Quad Cities, and the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce where he is serving as President in 2012.
	Faith is the wife of Dr. Nelson. She was born and raised in Dallas City, Illinois and graduated from Monmouth College in 1999. She has worked as a legal assistant in Champaign and in Quincy. She is currently the practice manager/bookkeeper of the clinic and is also a full-time mother of their three children, Hayley, Drew, and Sydney. In addition, she works part time for Nash, Nash, Bean, and Ford Law Firm and is the freshman volleyball coach at Geneseo High School. Faith is excited to be in Geneseo and to raise their children here.
	Nichole is a Tampico native, and went to school at Bureau Valley High in Manlius. She grew up on a farm with many animals including horses, dogs, and cats. She and her husband, Jimmy, live in Geneseo now with their three dogs, Bailey and Mylo the boxers and Peanut the Chihuahua. Nichole has always loved working with animals so this is the perfect job for her and she feels blessed to be working at Maple Ridge as a veterinary assistant and receptionist.
	Katie is a 2009 graduate of Geneseo High School, and is now furthering her education at Blackhawk Community College. She loves working with all of the animals here at the clinic, and has been here for 3 years really working in all aspects from kennels to assisting in rooms, to receptionist. She has three dogs and two parakeets at home. She is a volunteer at the Henry County Humane Society in Geneseo.
	Lisa was born and raised in Muscatine. She and her two boys, Christopher and Larz, moved to Geneseo in August 2010 to live with her fiancé, Rick. She spent 18 years as a supervisor in a factory, and left that job to go back to school to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinary technician. She is a part of the first graduating class in the veterinary technology program at Muscatine Community College. Lisa loves the surgery part of being a veterinary technician the most. Besides her two boys, Lisa has two dogs, Moe (pug) and Willie-Make-It (long haired dachshund). Some of Lisa’s other hobbies include sewing, crafts, and spending time with friends and family. She writes that she is excited to be a part of the Maple Ridge team, but we’re just as excited to have her here!
	Elizabeth was born and raised in Geneseo and has returned after spending eight years teaching high school English/Language Arts in Houston, TX. She sings professionally and loves to travel. She married her college sweetheart and together they have a beautiful daughter, Clare. Their home is run by their three dogs: Henry (dachshund), Kayla (Australian shepherd/ Staffordshire terrier mix), and Maya (Staffordshire terrier). Elizabeth has always loved animals and is thrilled to be lending a hand at Maple Ridge.
	Alex is our kennel attendant. He is a very active young man in various Geneseo High School theatre productions, and has recently earned the Eagle Scout ranking in the Boy Scouts of America.