Meet Our Team in Peoria, IL
Prairie Animal Hospital is composed of compassionate individuals united by the same goal: providing high quality, lifelong care for pets and exceptional service for their families. Our team loves what we do and strives to offer veterinary care that enhances the human-animal bond you share with your beloved companion. Our team is proudly Fear Free and Cat Friendly Certified, which means we can assess and treat your pet in a low-stress environment, making each visit to our animal hospital more positive for both you and your pet.
Get to know our team and schedule an appointment with us today!
Rachael Kuhn-Siegel, DVM Veterinarian / Owner
Dr. Rachael Kuhn-Siegel, as a veterinarian, wishes to challenge the status quo by helping animals live the healthiest lives they can. Her goal with this clinic is to make the veterinary experience as kind and stress-free as possible for patients and their fur parents (owner). That is why she has started her behavior-centered fear-free veterinary practice. One of our goals is for patients to like their vet and vet staff so that we can treat them more quickly and effectively when they hurt. This helps the veterinary team get them on the way to health more quickly and efficiently.
Dr. Rachael is the owner and practicing veterinarian at Prairie Animal Hospital. She graduated with her bachelor’s in Science from Iowa State University and earned a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University’s Veterinary College in 2005. After graduation, Dr. Rachael practiced veterinary medicine throughout the United States as a Navy wife. In 2011, Dr. Rachael and her family returned to just outside Peoria, IL, to be closer to her family.
In her “spare” time, she loves to garden, hike, ride her bike, and go horseback riding with her three children and husband. She currently has six furry family members, including one dog (Charlie) and five cats (Marigold, Pierre, Peanut, Sister, and Bushy.)
Dr. Rachael loves preventative medicine and specializes in urgent care medicine. She is proud to be Fear Free Certified.
Jessica
Office Manager / Certified Veterinary Technician
Jessica has been passionate about animals for as long as she can remember, and she’s had the privilege of working in the veterinary field since she was in high school. She graduated from Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Denver, Colorado, in 2009, and her love for helping animals has continued to grow throughout her career.
One of her biggest passions is canine rehabilitation. She loves helping dogs move better, regain strength and mobility, and improve their overall quality of life. She is currently continuing her education through the Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) program at North Carolina State University, where she is expanding her knowledge and skills in physical rehabilitation for dogs.
Outside of work, she is a mom of two and a proud pet mom to three Yorkiepoos and one cat—so life at home is always full of love, fur, and plenty of personality! When she’s not working with animals or spending time with her family, she’s probably cheering on her favorite football team. 💚💛
She feels incredibly fortunate to have turned her love for animals into a career, and she’s excited to continue learning and helping dogs live happier, healthier, and more comfortable lives. Go Pack Go!
Kaitlynn
Certified Veterinary Technician
Kaitlynn is a Certified Veterinary Technician who recently earned her certification in ultrasonography. She graduated the Veterinary Technician program at Black Hawk College in May of 2023 and passed the VTNE in July of the same year. Since then she has continued to learn and work hard to improve her craft. Her coworkers lovingly refer to her as “the Vampire” because of her impeccable blood-drawing skills. Outside of veterinary medicine, you can find her in her garden, baking, trying out new hobbies, or loving on her pets with her husband at their home.
Nicki
Veterinary Assistant
Bio Coming Soon
Scully
Customer Service Representative
Originally from Upstate New York, a devoted cat dad to Big Mac and Nuggets. A lifelong Dungeons & Dragons enthusiast, musician, and unapologetic geek with a soft spot for strong coffee and immersive adventures.
Chandra
Veterinary Assistant
Chandra is currently working as a Veterinary Assistant at Prairie Animal Hospital. Working here has furthered her opportunities to care for animals while continuing to grow her skills and knowledge in the veterinary field. She graduated from Black Hawk College’s Veterinary Technician Program in the summer of 2026. Although she has not yet taken her national board examinations, she is actively studying and preparing to take them as she works toward becoming a credentialed veterinary technician.
She has always had a strong love for animals, and caring for them has been a lifelong passion of hers. Outside of the veterinary hospital, her greatest passion is her ducks. She currently breeds and shows Call Ducks, a miniature breed known for their small size, unique personalities, and beautiful variety of colors. Breeding and showing her ducks has given her an even greater appreciation for animal care, genetics, and husbandry.
She is excited to continue developing her career in veterinary medicine while pursuing the knowledge and experience needed to provide the best possible care for her patients.
Ari
Veterinary Assistant
Bio Coming Soon
Francis
Virtual Assistant
Powered by pups, pixels, and positive vibes.
Francis is the virtual sidekick behind the scenes, keeping things smooth and stress-free at the clinic. From scribing to sorting out your pet’s records, he’s got your back! He is all about making sure you and your furry friend feel supported, even from a screen away.
When he’s off the clock, you’ll find him hanging with his fiancé and their six dogs (Ubeh, Ellie, Onyx, Yuno, Brownie, and Melo), gaming, shooting hoops, or training for his first marathon. He loves what he does and is proud to be part of a team that truly cares about your pets!
Saffron
Valeri Farmer-Dougan, Ph.D
Dog Trainer
- Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. (CDBC), International Association of Animal Behaviorist Consultants (IAABC)
- Accredited Dog Trainer (ADT), International Association Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC).
- Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP)
- Member, Association for Professional Dog Trainers (APDT#81155)
- Fear Free Certified® Professional
- Professor Emeritus, Departments of Psychology/School of Biological Sciences Illinois State University
Jenny
Dog Trainer
Jenny Lapke is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA CTP), Atlas Assistance Dogs Certified Service Dog Trainer, and the founder of The Good Dog Training Academy. She combines her expertise in positive reinforcement with an evidence-backed, compassionate approach to help dogs and their people build lasting, trust-based relationships.
Jenny has completed Michael Shikashio’s Aggression in Dogs Master Course, as well as specialized education in cooperative care and trick training. Her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) adds a unique layer of insight into emotional wellness, behavior, and the human-animal bond.
Whether she’s working with brand-new puppies, fearful rescues, or service dog candidates, Jenny’s calm, supportive presence and customized training plans help families create meaningful progress—without stress or overwhelm. Through private sessions, real-life training programs, and engaging educational content, she empowers pet parents to build strong partnerships with their dogs using evidence-based, practical, and proven methods.
Spencer
In Loving Memory
Spencer was 12 years old. He first bought this clinic by faking his heart disease and possibly contacting the TV lawyers, however he will not confirm or deny how he got his catnip treat money. He quit his first home and doc offered him a job saving him from boredom at the shelter. He definitely knows who owns the place. He has spent most of his life “working” as door greeter at the clinic or trying to steal patient’s treats. He has lots of experience with lots of other pets and treats them all with the same “are you going to eat that?” stare.
His hobbies include professional napping, disapproving stares, and eating as many times a day as possible. Garfield is his personal hero.