Our Staff

Larry Baker , DVM, FAVD, Diplomat AVDC

Becky Reardon , DVM

Dr. Reardon is a 2002 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2002 she joined our staff as a new veterinarian. She had worked part-time at Northgate in high school and throughout her college career.    She and her husband have one son, Connor; one yellow lab, Gracie; a Golden Retriever, Winston; four cats Jo, Boomer, Hermione, and Henry; and two gerbils, Jack and Cody.

Jennifer Rojas , DVM

Dr. Rojas joined the Northgate Staff in the spring of 2006. She has enjoyed her time at Northgate treating cats and dogs as well as pocket pets. She lives in Decatur with her family, and has an extra soft spot in her heart for black labs, beagles, and white cats with blue eyes because she has one of each! Dr. Rojas recently completed and intensive course of training in animal acupuncture at the Chi Institute of Veterinary Acupuncture and continues to study Chinese herbal medicine. She wishes to use her skills as a supplemental benefit for her patients when conventional Western medicine is not enough. Dr. Rojas also attended the Small Animal Abdominal Ultrasound course at the NAVC Institute this spring where more than 100 abnormal cases are reviewed with a board-certified radiologist and multiple lab sessions provided over 35 hours of continued education. In the fall of 2011 she intends to earn certification to perform the TTA procedure for the advanced surgical repair of canine cruciate ligament injuries. She is also chairperson for the Buddy Fund, a fund set up to help established clients pay for care when extensive work is required after a diagnosis.

Devin Forden , DVM

  Dr. Devin Forden graduated from Purdue University in May, 2009.  She started her veterinary career at the Macon County Animal Control, then moved to Northgate a year later.  She had worked at Northgate previously throughout high school and college.  She enjoys living on the farm with three dogs and two cats.  
    

Drew Sullivan , DVM

Dr. Drew Sullivan of Forsyth joined the Northgate team in June of 2011. He graduated from the university of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine after receiving his undergraduate degree from the U of I in 2007. He graduated from Maroa-Forsyth high school in 2003.  While at the University of Illinois, in addition to his veterinary studies, he was a member of the Illinois Varsity Cheerleading team and then served as an assistant coach for three years-he even got to be court side for the 2005 Arizona-Illinois basketball game and participated in the Rose Bowl parade and football game in 2008.  Dr. Sullivan enjoys spending time with his family, his fiance Meg, and his dog Oskee.  He plans to compete in half-marathons and triathlons and will be participating in the Rodney T. Miller triathlon for the third time this year. Dr. Sullivan is currently enrolled in the executive small animal ultrasound program and is accepting new patients at Northgate.

Melissa Thornton , Practice Manager, C.V.T., Head Technician

Melissa joined our Northgate team in 1999 and became our Practice Manager in December 2009. She graduated from St. Petersburg College Distance Veterinary Technology Program in December of 2003 and become a Certified Veterinary Technician in February of 2004. Melissa’s special interests include communication, leadership training and recognizing team members for everything they have to offer our clinic, our clients and our patients! Her mission here at Northgate is to share her passion for Veterinary medicine, leadership and animals with our patients, clients and team members. Her next pursuit is to become a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager. Melissa and her husband and their 11 year old daughter Makenna have a Golden Retriever named Bailey, three cats; Jack Frost, Psycho Kitty, and Midnight a turtle named Bob and a Guinea Pig named Weet-Weet! Melissa and her family hope to move to the edge of town this summer where they can have a goat or two as well!

A. Ray Jones

Ray is our contractor, architect, landscaper, carpenter....you name it, he can take care of it!  He keeps Northgate Pet Plaza up and running and looking great.  Ray has been working with us since 1994. 

Angee , Computer Network Admin

 Angee, a former teacher for 20 years, received her B.S. in Education in 1973, and her M.S. in Education in 1977 from the University of Illinois.  Angee retired from teaching to work at Northgate.  She established and manages our computer network.  She has owned and bred Champion Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers.  She and her husband have two dogs: a Lab mix, Millie, and a Rottweiler mix, Bo.  In 2004, they opened Millie & Bo's Barkery, a pet bakery boutique.

Technicians

Amber Harrington , C.V.T.

         Amber joined the Northgate team in June 2003. In May 2003, she graduated from Parkland College, in Champaign, with her C.V.T. degree.  Amber has a special interest in exotic/zoo medicine.  She enjoys working with pets and people.  Amber also enjoys outdoor activities, watching movies and spending time with her husband, friends, and family; She has four cats, one dog, and a snake.

Lisa Weir , C.V.T.

Lisa Weir joined the Northgate team in July 2008.  She graduated from Parkland College in 2008 and relocated to the area with her husband (Eric), son (Daniel), daughter (Lauren), five cats, and one dog.  Her hobbies include water sports, reading, puzzles, gardening, and dabbling in carpentry. 

Kristen Ragusa , CVT

    Kristen graduated from Parkland College's Veterinary Technician Program in May of 2009.  She has worked at Northgate for 2 and 1/2 years and also works part time at the University of Illinois Teaching Hospital in the ICU. She has an interest in all animals, especially exotic animals. Her pets include Rio the two year old German Shephard/Boxer mix whom she adopted from Macon County Animal Control in mid 2008 and her 6 year old lab mix Jingles; Kristen also has two kitties, Sampson and Roland. Kristen plays for a local Roller Derby team- the Prairieland Punishers, likes to play basketball, and enjoys hiking with her dogs.
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Kaylee Keyes , CVT

 Kaylee started at Northgate in May 2011 after completing her internship here for her CVT from Parkland College. She has 4 rabbits (her favorite is Maurice!), and a miniature poodle, Lilly. She is the oldest of 5 children, and enjoys spending time with her family. Kaylee has always had a love of animals and enjoys having a positive impact on companion animal lives and health. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, Jerry, watching movies and snuggling with bunnies.

 Brooke Schwalbe , C.V.T.

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Lisa has been employed at Northgate since July 2002. She loves being able to help and interact with pet and their owners. Lisa lives with her husband, stepson, daughter, and lots of furry and feathered kids. She owns a Pembroke welsh corgi, a pitbull mix, 4 cats, 2 parakeets and 1 guinea pig. Lisa recently became a Scentsy consultant. When Lisa is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys reading and selling Scentsy.

Christina Renn

Christina has been working as a receptionist at Northgate for 3 years .She has 3 amazing boys, Mason, Shannon and Trent; and her boyfriend of 7 years Brett. She has a dog named Capone (who is an amazing family dog)!  She and her family love all sports, especially football which her oldest son Mason plays, and Shannon plays baseball.  She enjoys summer days in the back yard with her family, and snowball fights in the winter! Her motto; Enjoy life while you can, it goes by to fast!

Jennifer M

Jennifer and her boyfriend Brent have a two year boy named Grant (he makes their heart melt)! She has been working at Northgate since June 22, 2009 and loves it! Jenn has a blue pit bull, Bella. She is fascinated by fishing, catch and release of course! She one day hopes to catch a cat fish, all on her own!

Katie McDaniel

Katie has been working at Northgate since January of 2010.  She had previously volunteered for Northgate and is very excited to be working here now.  She is a freshman at Millikin University and enjoys dancing, playing sports, and hanging out with her friends and family.  Katie has two dogs, Yogi; a chocolate lab and Callie, a terrier mix

Anthony Strode

Anthony started working at Northgate in July of 2009. Anthony loves all sorts of animals but currently has two dogs; Foxtimus Prime and Harry Potter, and two cats; Tangerine and Evee.  When he is not working he loves to ride his scooter, watch movies, hang out with friends, play with his pets, and go to concerts.

Louis Kappler , Receptionist

         Louis is a senior at Millkin University pursuing a degree in Music Business.  He lives with the love of his life, his 3 year old black lab Lucy.  Louis is an avid musician and plays bass, guitar, and saxophone.  In his free time he likes to run (he is currently training for the Chicago Marathon), roller-blading, band practice, cooking, and hanging out with Lucy.

Angie L. , Veterinary Assistant, Hills Consultant, Behavior Consultant

Angie has been a part of the Northgate team since 1995.  She has a special interest in orthopedics, veterinary dentistry, and exotic/zoo medicine.  She is also a board member of The Decatur/Macon County Humane Society.  Angie, her husband, and her daughter live on a small farm.  They have two dogs: Dixie, and Boomer; an African Gray Parrot named Cody Bill Hickup; and the cutest miniature donkeys named Hershey's Kiss, Butterfinger, Snickers and the baby, Milk Dud.

Becca B. , Receptionist

Becca started at Northgate in August 2011.  She has a degree in Animal Sciences from the University of Illinois and is currently taking classes to become a certified veterinary technician.  She has three cats named Mischief, Dorkette, and Snoop Kitty Kitty and has a Norwegian Elkhound named Boss of Me.  Becca loves to read history books, crochet, and even knit!  She is a transplant from Chicago and is still trying to get used to being in central, not southern Illinois!

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Stephenie Cunningham , Ward Supervisor & Assistant

Stephenie joined our Northgate team in December 2002.  She works as an assistant and Ward Supervisor. Stephenie enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, Dominick and Dalton.  She also has two Pit Bulls named Caesar and Jewlz.

Ryan Holler , B.A. in Spanish, Veterinarian Assistant

Ryan Holler has been with Northgate since October 2005.  She is planning to continue school to get her Veterinary Technician degree.  She has 3 dogs and 2 cats, and a 3 year old daughter, Ruth.  Ryan enjoys singing with her church choir, playing percussion instruments and piano, and playing in the woods.

Amber Procarione

Amber worked as veterinary assistant in the late 90’s and re-joined the Northgate team in January of 2009. She is more committed than ever to the practice of superior companion animal medicine in Decatur. She recognizes companion animals hold a special place in their human’s lives, even as family, and is dedicated to making each person and pet feel special that walks through Northgate’s doors. She loves being able to treat our hospitalized furry friends with love and care and watch them leave our practice on the road to recovery. She also enjoys the office work that keeps Northgate running behind the scenes by helping our practice manager, Melissa, with various projects. Amber currently has no pets L, but has been known to have many kitties, a couple of dogs, a betta, a parakeet and even a gecko!!

Sarah Beck

Sarah began working at Northgate in August of 2009.  She has been working with animals in one form or another for twelve years or so.  She worked as kennel and technician assistant for an animal hospital outside of Chicago,  then graduated from dog grooming school in Sept. of 2000 and groomed for almost ten years.  Recently she decided to put grooming on hold to explore the possibility of becoming a veterinary technician.  Sarah lives in Decatur with her husband, two cats named Tre and Rapunzel, their dog Puma. In her down time she enjoys traveling, biking, walking/hiking, and hanging out with friends and family.

Laura Booker

Laura stared working for Northgate in April 2010, after her experiences there she decided that she was better suited for animal care than working in an office cubicle all day.  Laura grew up having a father that enjoyed animals as much as her and she is now anticipating starting school in January 2011 to become a Veterinary Technician.  After living in Chicago for 10 years she packed up her and her Labrador Karma and moved back to Decatur.  Clinic work has rubbed off on her and she has recently adopted a 7 month old kitten named Trick.  Laura is looking forward to her future endeavors working with animals.

Katie Stewart, Assistant

Katie started at Northgate Pet Clinic again in August of 2009 after a brief hiatus in the corporate world. She previously worked here while studying pre-veterinary medicine in college, and we are happy to have her back! She is an assistant with plans to start at St. George’s University Veterinary Medical School on the island of Grenada in January 2012. Her very favorite patients are Shih Tzus, just like her own darlings, Tucker and Lucy. When she’s not busy shopping for her fur babies, she enjoys working out, spending time with her husband, and cheering on her favorite teams, Duke University and the Indianapolis Colts!

Rachel Vandermyde

Rachel is a senior in high school and loves her math and science classes; after high school she plans on majoring in Biology for Pre-Veterinary medicine and continuing on to vet school.  She loves working with animals and with everyone at Northgate,  She has one cat, Olivia who loves to watch TV with her when she's not at school or hanging out with friends.