Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Germantown Hills Animal Hospital in Germantown Hills! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets! Please call us at 309-383-2356 to speak to one of our caring veterinary staff members!
Veterinarian
Dr. Nichols, a graduate of Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, moved back to Illinois in 1989 where he practiced along his father’s side at Washington Veterinary Medical Clinic, established in 1962.
After draining as much wisdom as possible from his father, and with a strong yearning for a place of his own, Dr. Peter Nichols created Germantown Hills Animal Clinic from an old lumber mill in November of 1991. In 1996, when Dr. Warren Nichols retired, young Dr. Nichols assumed ownership of both clinics. Since then, Dr. Nichols has completed the Executive Veterinary Program 2000, a masters business program for veterinarians, at University of Illinois and constructed a new hospital in Germantown Hills in 2001. In 2008, he added a new addition on to the Washington office, and the existing building was renovated in 2009. Washington Veterinary Medical Clinic entered an elite category of veterinary hospitals in 2012 becoming an Accredited member of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Dr. Nichols served as veterinarian for the Peoria Zoo animals from 1999-2013. He continues to help Wildlife Prairie Park with educational animals and injured wildlife.
Dr. Nichols is an elected board member of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association for Region IV, a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, Tazewell County Veterinary Association, Mississippi Valley Veterinary Medical Association, and American Association of Feline Practitioners. He is also an active member of the Germantown Hills/Metamora Rotary Club.
Dr. Nichols and his wife, Kelli, have two sons and one daughter: Austin, Grant and Abby; a black and white short hair, Nike, and a German Shorthaired Pointer named Duke.
Veterinarian
Dr. Slagel is a 2002 graduate of University Of Illinois’ College of Veterinary Medicine. Born and raised in Central Illinois surrounded by various dogs and cats, and sometimes cows and other assorted wildlife, she always aspired to become a veterinarian. She completed her undergraduate work at Illinois State University as a Presidential Scholar.
She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, Tazewell County Veterinary Association, Mississippi Valley Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Association of Feline Practitioners.
Dr. Slagel and her husband, Sean, have a son, Colton, and a daughter, Elise. Four-legged children of the family include an adorable hound mix named Boomer, and an ornery gray tabby named Lewis.
She appreciates time to spend with her family, reading, and travel (especially to the beach) whenever possible. She has enjoyed volunteering with the Special Olympics for several decades and recently has been serving on the board of the Caterpillar Trail Public Water District.
Veterinarian
Dr. Lorentzen is a 2018 graduate of the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbia, MO. She completed her undergraduate studies in Biology at Bradley University in Peoria in 2013. She was born and raised in Groveland, Illinois, surrounded by several dogs, cats, and a miniature horse, until moving to Missouri for veterinary school.
She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, and the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association. She has also completed the Fear Free Certification Program in hopes of making visits less stressful for our fearful patients.
Dr. Knollenberg and her husban, Scott, have a son, Collin, and a daughter, Adelyn. Their home is also filled with cats and dogs: Simba (Maine Coon), Nesta (black and white short hair), Nietzsche (buff orange long hair), Anika (American Pit Bull Terrier), Remmy(Lab mix), and Benji(Golden Retriever).
Veterinarian
Dr. Amy Waggoner is a 2002 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. She has also furthered her education by becoming certified in veterinary acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and food therapy through the Chi Institute in Florida. Dr. Waggoner is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, Tazewell County Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners. You can see her at our Washington location, Washington Veterinary Medical Clinic.
Dr. Waggoner grew up in East Peoria and graduated from East Peoria Community High School in 1994. She resides in Peoria with her husband Joe and their orange tabby, Fritz and gray kitty, Pooter. In her free time, Dr. Waggoner enjoys exercising, cooking, traveling and creating handmade cards and scrapbooks.
Certified Veterinary Practice Manager
Jennifer has worked for Germantown Hills Animal Hospital since 1995. She divides her time between our two offices. Jenni is very devoted to her work, as well as continuing her education in practice management. She earned her Certification in Veterinary Hospital Management from the American Animal Hospital Association in 2016. She also has a B.S. in Biology from the University of Illinois, and a Bachelors degree in Secondary Education from Illinois State University. Jennifer is a member of the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association and the American Animal Hospital Association.
In addition to her son and daughter, Hudson and Harper, Jenni has two Golden Retrievers, Tucker and Red, and 2 DSH cats: Colby Jack Cheese(sweetest boy ever) and Jesse(crazy girl).
Customer Service Specialist
Rachael grew up in Metamora and has been working at Germantown Hills Animal Hospital since 2013. She is one of the smiling customer service representatives and caring kennel workers you will see at our hospital. She loves to take care of your precious pets.
Customer Service Specialist/Veterinary Assistant/Kennel Assistant
Caylee grew up in Peoria and graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in animal science. She began working with us shortly after graduation in 2019 and loves being able to care for all of our guests! She has a young tuxedo kitty named Dill.
Certified Veterinary Technician
Shannon received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology from Illinois State University in 2002. She received her Associates Degree in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology from Parkland College in 2006 and graduating with high honors prior to coming to work with us.
Shannon is a member of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association.
Shannon adopted Abby, a Rottweiler, Jersey, a Golden Retriever, and Apollo, a yellow lab.
Certified Veterinary Technician
Chelsea grew up in Eastern Iowa; she completed her general education at Scott Community College, earning an Associate degree in Arts and Sciences in 2005. Her love of animals led her to Kirkwood Community College where she received her Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology in 2008. After graduation she moved to Central Illinois and started working at both of our hospitals.
Chelsea is a member of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association
Chelsea’s cat, Tasha, also made the move from Iowa. Tasha is a long-haired tortoiseshell. Chelsea also adopted Hobbes, an orange Tabby, from PAWS. Her family also includes husband, Doug, son Riley, and daughter Caitlin.
Certified Veterinary Technician
Jenna began working in the veterinary field in 2007. She then went to Joliet Junior College School of Veterinary Technology and graduated in 2012 and earned her CVT(Certified Veterinary Technician) license.
After gaining experience working for a small animal/mixed practice for 5 years, she is happy to join our team at Germantown Hills Animal Hospital. She is new to the area and resides here in Germantown Hills.
In her free time, you will find her outdoors and boating. She has a great love for her 2 beautiful labrador retrievers, Ava and Tess.
Certified Veterinary Technician
Kristin earned her Associate’s degree in Science (pre-veterinary medicine) while working at another vet clinic in the area. She then transferred to the University of Illinois where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. Kristin began working with us in 2017 and continued to work throughout her schooling and became a Certified Veterinary Technician in the summer of 2020 after attending Parkland College. She hopes to one day attend veterinary school, but in the meantime she loves to work closely with animals and our veterinarians in order to gain as much experience and knowledge as she can. She has two dogs and two cats.
Veterinary Assistant
In October 2004, Laurie started working full time as a veterinary assistant. She had been working here on a part-time basis since the 90s.
Laurie has dogs: Charlie, a black lab; Harley, a white lab; and Sunday a yellow lab; and cats named Jersey, Monkey, & Razy. Laurie is a member of the American Animal Hospital Association.
Kennel Assistant/Customer Service Representative
Haley has loved animals all her life. She joined our team in 2021 and has three pets of her own. A dog named Bear, and two cats, Hestia and Sophie Sue. Her favorite movie is “The Greatest Showman”. She loves to hike in her free time as well as listen to music. She is happiest cuddling a sweet puppy or kitten.
Kennel Assistant
Micayla is from Pekin but lives in Germantown Hills. She grew up surrounded by animals and has always wanted to work in veterinary medicine. She is currently in school at Penn Foster College working towards her veterinary technician license. She lives with her sisters, brother-in-law, and nephew, and they have 2 cats, Duke and Dez.
