Veterinarians & Veterinary Staff Serving Tazewell County Pets
Pekin Veterinary Clinic Veterinary Doctors
Joel H. Jess, DVM, CCRP
I am a 1986 graduate of Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. I acquired my love of animals growing up on a cow-calf farm in western Iowa. I have known I wanted to be a veterinarian since I was ten or eleven years old. I guess I was lucky to know what I wanted to do with my life at an early age. Although I enjoy all aspects of veterinary medicine, my areas of special interest include gastroenterology, soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, and canine rehabilitation. I became certified in canine rehabilitation through the University of Tennessee in 2005. Practicing medicine gives me a great deal of pleasure when I can help not only our four legged friends but the owners as well. I strive to offer an array of options according to the owners’ desires. Flexibility is the key when consulting clients, and I try to provide the most current options and treatments available. I continue to update my professional skills to meet those demands.
My pets include an independent orange cat named Cooper, one slightly overweight feline named Chloe, and a very soft hearted yellow Labrador Retriever, Kevin. When not practicing medicine I enjoy spending time with my family, playing "over the hill" baseball and basketball, racketball, and coaching baseball and football. I've been practicing veterinary medicine for 20 years and love doing so more now than when I started.
Amy L. Waggoner, DVM, MS
I was born and raised here in central Illinois (East Peoria, to be exact) and recently returned to the area by way of Dallas, Texas. I spent 8 years at the University of Illinois, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences, a master’s degree in pathology and my veterinary degree in 2002. Go Illini! My professional interests include pathology, toxicology, soft tissue surgery and dentistry. I am also a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners.
Being a veterinarian is a lifelong dream. I realized very early in life how much our pets give to us while asking so little in return. I made it my life’s goal to give back to them the best way I knew how - by adding both quality and quantity to their lives while enhancing that wonderful bond between pets and their owners.
I proudly admit to being a cat person. Cats have been a part of my family ever since I can remember. I currently share my home with two adorable orange tabbies, Murphy and Niles. They both enjoy going for walks outside on their leashes (yes, it can be done), bird watching and napping in the sun.
My outside interests include music (I play both the organ and the trumpet), scrapbooking and traveling. I’ve spent time in England, Ireland, Argentina, South Africa, Kenya, Australia, and New Zealand and I have visited all 50 states. Thus far, my favorite destinations are South Africa and Australia.
Jami S. Walsh, DVM
I knew at a very young age that I wanted to become a veterinarian. I grew up on a farm where my family now raises Black Angus cattle. While growing up, our farm was home to pigs, horses, and chickens as well as cats and dogs. I have had a lifelong love for animals. I now have a St. Bernard named Berniece who was a present for me when I graduated from veterinary school. She is a big girl but will bow down to our three cats in the house. Minnie and Macy we have had since kittens, and we just adopted Woody who is around 3 years old. My other family members include my husband, Andy, who is the principal at Olympia Middle School, my son Noah, and our newest addition, Lily.
I graduated from the University of Illinois Veterinary teaching hospital in 2005. I spent my undergraduate years at Illinois State University in Normal. I practiced mixed animal medicine for my first 4 years out of veterinary school, but now I am very happy to concentrate on small animals. I started at Pekin Veterinary Clinic in August 2010 and am thoroughly enjoying my work. Everyone shares the same passion as I do for animals and their care. My favorite part of my job is seeing how much joy animals bring people.
Sara M. Huber, DVM
From the time I was old enough to talk, I knew that I wanted to be a veterinarian. The bond between humans and animals played an integral part in my development as a person. Growing up I always had pets (from cats to snakes to hamsters to fish). I now have 2 cats: Gracie, who I adopted during my senior year of vet school, and Millie, who was abandoned at my last job and came home to live with me. I was born and raised in northern New Jersey (a real Jersey Girl!). I graduated from William Paterson University of New Jersey with a Bachelor’s degree in biology. I attended Kansas State University School of Veterinary medicine and graduated in 2010 (go Cats!). My veterinary interests include cardiology, exotic animal medicine, and feline medicine and surgery.
In my spare time I enjoy running, reading, playing video games, watching anything on the history channel, and watching and playing sports. I am a lifelong NY Giant and NY Yankee fan. I love football, baseball, and college basketball.
I am excited to be joining the team at Pekin Veterinary Clinic. I look forward to living in Pekin and getting to know the people and the community and most importantly, meeting the Pekin pets and providing them with the best care possible.