Meet Our Team!
Meet the veterinarians and team of Germantown Hills Animal Hospital! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!
Get to Know Our Team!
We are solely dedicated to your pet’s care! We look forward to getting to know you and hope you’ll take the time to scroll down and get to know us.
Veterinarians
Peter Nichols, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Nichols, a graduate of Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, moved back to Illinois in 1989, where he practiced alongside his father at Washington Veterinary Medical Clinic, which was 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 the University of Illinois and constructed a new hospital in Germantown Hills in 2001. In 2008, he added a new addition 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 a 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, are parents to two sons, Austin and Grant, who, along with their wives and adorable babies, bring joy to their family. Meanwhile, their daughter, Abby, is pursuing her studies in sunny Florida. Their beloved German Shorthaired Pointer, Duke, completes their lively household.
Christine Slagel, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Slagel graduated from the University of Illinois’ College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. Born and raised in Central Illinois surrounded by various dogs and cats, 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. The family’s four-legged children include an adorable Golden named Eddie, a Lab mix named Maggie Moo, and an ornery gray tabby named Lewis.
She appreciates time spent with her family, reading, and traveling (especially to the beach) whenever possible. She has enjoyed volunteering with the Special Olympics for several decades and recently served on the board of the Caterpillar Trail Public Water District.
Amy Waggoner, DVM, MS, CVA
Veterinarian
Dr. Amy Waggoner graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. 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.
Laura Lorentzen, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Lorentzen graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbia, MO, in 2018. 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. Lorentzen and her husband, Scott, have two sons, Collin and Landon, and a daughter, Adelyn. Their home is also filled with a sweet cat and snuggly dogs: Nesta (black and white short hair), Dash (pit mix), Remmy (Lab mix), and Benji (Golden Retriever).
Our Staff
Jennifer Strube, CVPM
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 Bachelor’s 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).
Rachael, CSS
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.
Caylee, CSS, VA, KA
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.
Shannon, CVT
Certified Veterinary Technician
Shannon received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Illinois State University in 2002. She received her Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology from Parkland College in 2006, 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.
Chelsea, CVT
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, a long-haired tortoiseshell, also moved from Iowa. Chelsea also adopted Hobbes, an orange Tabby, from PAWS. Her family also includes her husband, Doug, son, Riley, and daughter, Caitlin.
Laurie, VA
Veterinary Assistant
Laurie started working full-time as a veterinary assistant in October 2004. She had been working here part-time since the 1990s.
Laurie has dogs: Charlie, a black lab; Harley, a white lab; Sunday, a yellow lab; and cats named Jersey, Monkey, & Razy. Laurie is a member of the American Animal Hospital Association.
Erin, VA
Veterinary Assistant, Certified Fear-Free Specialist
Erin grew up in the Chicago area and relocated to central Illinois in 2009. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science from Western Illinois University in 1995 and has been working in the veterinary field for over twenty years. In her spare time, Erin enjoys spending time with her family, her three French Bulldogs, and her two cats.
Micayla, KA, VA
Kennel / Veterinary 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 two cats, Duke and Dez.
Kylynn, KA
Kennel Assistant
Kylynn grew up in Germantown Hills and has wanted to work with animals since she was little. She loves taking care of all the cute pets that stay with us while their owners are away.
She is attending Illinois Central College and taking part in their Pre-Veterinary program. When she’s not at our hospital, you can find her reading, listening to music, or walking her mini goldendoodle, Guinness.