Oakwood Veterinary Service is dedicated to keeping our pets healthy with preventative medicine, diagnostics and surgery. We view our pets as extensions of our family and celebrate the human-animal bond. With years of combined experience, our veterinarians are ready to provide you and your pets with first-class quality health care. Oakwood Veterinary Service has been at it's present location since 1995. Our practice focus is companion animals which includes dogs, cats, and horses.

Meet the Doctors and Staff

VETERINARIANS

Dr. Richard Rock received his DVM from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan in 1971. For 17 years he served as a resident veterinarian at a local horse farm owned by Tish Hewitt. Dr. Rock was also employed by the State of Illinois as a racing official at Quad City Downs. Dr. Rock assumed ownership of Oakwood Veterinary Service from February 1995 through December 2009. For the last 40 years he has been married to his wife Jan. Jan operates Huntermark Farm, a hunter-jumper training facility and riding school in Coal Valley, IL. Together they have a daughter Rachel as well as numerous horses and Jack Russell Terriers. Related link: HuntermarkFarm.com

Dr. Jane Fixen is a native of Independence, Missouri. She attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, and earned a B.S. in Animal Science in 1991 and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1996. Following graduation, she joined Dr. Richard Rock at Oakwood Veterinary Service in May 1996. Her professional interests include companion animal medicine, preventative care, owner education and equine reproduction. She is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Veterinary Medical Association. In her free time she enjoys horseback riding, traveling and spending time with her husband Lee and two young daughters.

Dr. Dee Ann Kuster graduated from the University Of Illinois College Of Veterinary Medicine in 1998. While her husband pursued further education, Dr. Kuster worked for two years at the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center, two years at the Animal Emergency Clinic of Champaign and offered relief veterinary services to several area practices after moving back to Geneseo. Dr. Kuster joined Oakwood Veterinary Services in early 2005. Her professional interests include emergency medicine, small animal surgery and equine medicine. She enjoys balancing her roles as wife, mother of two and veterinarian. If she has any spare time, you will find her bareback on her palomino along the Hennepin canal.

Dr. Jaime Miller is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. She grew up surrounded by animals and began riding and showing horses at the age of 14. She attended Truman University and received a B.S. In Animal Science. She graduated with her DVM at Iowa State University in May '05. She began working at Oakwood immediately after graduating and assumed ownership January 2010. Her professional interests include small animal surgery, ultrasound and equine reproduction. Her family consists of 3 dogs, 5 cats, 3 horses, 2 sheep, chickens, and one husband. In her free time she enjoys riding and showing reining horses with her husband, and spending time outdoors. "I enjoy going to work everyday and working with such a committed and caring staff. I believe I can enrich the lives of my clients by enriching the lives of their pets and I try to make sure they live a long, healthy, happy, life."

Dr. Deke Carls of Port Byron IL grew up working with western performance horses. He graduated with a B.A. in biology from Augustana College and then earned a DVM from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in May of 2009. Deke joined the team at Oakwood Veterinary Service in June of 2009. His professional interests are in equine medicine and surgery. He especially enjoys lameness exams and diagnostic imaging. He is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife, Sarah, and their pets (dogs, cats, and horses). He also enjoys photography and volunteering with the local fire department. Deke also has a strong interest in Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue.

VETERINARY TECHNICIANS

Julie is a native of the Quad Cities and has worked at Oakwood since 1995. Julie has 2 dogs, Yogi and Booboo, and 2 cats, Dude and Elmo. "I find that animals are great stress reliever." In her spare time she enjoys attending NHRA events, driving her mustangs, and bowling.

Amy has worked at Oakwood since 1999. She was raised in the country outside a small Illinois town, which fostered her love of animals. As a child she showed dogs in 4-H, rode horses on trail rides, and played basketball. "We always had cattle growing up, so being a little girl at home with my mother all day; I was the one that got stuck helping doctor sick cattle." She still retains a clear passion for animals, even as an adult. "I enjoy helping animal's everyday. The feeling you get knowing you saved an animals life is irreplaceable." She currently lives on a farm with 4 dogs, 2 horses, 2 indoor cats and many barn kitties. She enjoys running with her dogs, coaching girl's basketball, and competing with her horses in Cowboy Mounted Shooting.

Leslie has been at Oakwood since 2002. She has always had a passion for horses, and has shown in barrel racing, pole bending, western pleasure, halter and lunge line classes. Her memberships in the International Buckskin Horse Assn. and the American Quarter Horse Assn. have enabled her to show all around the Midwest. She obtained an Associates degree in Accounting, yet her love of animals led her to a position in the Veterinary field. "I love the work and look forward to each day, knowing animals will be better with our care. I enjoy every aspect of my career and am honored to work with our exceptional staff."

Danielle has been with Oakwood since November 2004 and is originally from Rapids City, IL. She obtained her Bachelor's degree in Business Management from Augustana College in May of 2009. Danielle currently resides in Silvis, IL with her three cats, George, Holly, and Andy. "I love working in the veterinary field because I get to help people and their pets live better, longer lives together."

Nandry "Nan" has been with Oakwood since January 2006 and is a native of the Quad Cities. She lives with her husband Josh and their two dogs, Tippy, a Labrador/Dalmatian mix and Athena, a German Shorthair Pointer. "I especially love helping out with the Niabi Zoo animals." In her free time, Nan enjoys working out and spending time with family and friends.

Amanda has worked at Oakwood since April of 2007 and is an Illinois City native. She lives with her boyfriend, 2 dogs, Cooper and Chunk, 3 cats, Erin, Muroki, and Jesse, and 2 horses, Party Barge and Gucci, on their farm. Amanda loves the outdoors and can often be found trail riding, 4-wheeling, and spending time with her family and friends around a bon-fire. "I love connecting with our clients and helping them care for their pets."

Stephanie began working at Oakwood in March 2008. She has been a Veterinary Technician for 5 years and currently lives with her 2 dogs, Texas and Hoosier. Stephanie grew up with horses and recently purchased one of her own, Sonic. She enjoys showing her horse and watching her boyfriend compete at the local stock car races. "In the veterinary field, there's always a story to tell."

Ellie has been with Oakwood since December 2009. She has a dog and a horse, but loves all animals. Most of the time you can find her out at Schone's Friendship Farm where she spends time with her "barn family" and horse named Dusty. Ellie has competed in various horse competitions and has been ranked on the state and national levels. She is currently attending nursing school, were she will plans to achieve a registered nurse degree.

OFFICE MANAGER

Chris has been with Oakwood since August 2007 and has over 14 years of previous veterinary management and reception experience. She married her husband John last year and their family consists of three children, seven grandchildren (with twins on the way), three dogs and two cats. "I enjoy working in the veterinary field. Every day is different, there's something about animals that just makes me smile!"

RECEPTIONISTS

Kerri is a native of the Quad Cities with experience in a wide variety of animals. "My favorite thing about working at Oakwood is meeting new people, I truly enjoy making sure are clients get the help they need." Her hobbies include spending time with animals on her farm, and competing with Cardigan Welsh Corgi in conformation and herding events.

Judy has been with Oakwood since 2004. Her true passion is riding horses. She has been riding horses for 30 years, with her main discipline being dressage. She enjoys many horse events, including recently trying her hand at Cowboy Mounted Shooting. Judy also loves to spend time with her two children Jody and Michael, and her husband, Dan. "I enjoy the animals and clients that come to Oakwood Vet Service."

Janette joined Oakwwod in April of 2010. She grew up in a small town in Kansas. Janette loves being around animals and currently has two cats, Sassy and Mollie. She has been married to Shawn for 33 years and also enjoys spending time with her son, Matt, who is in the Army, and his wife Maggie and grandaughter Genni, who live in Alaska..

ANIMAL CARE

Danielle has worked at Oakwood Veterinary Service since January 2010. She currently lives in the country while attending school. In her spare time she loves playing with her boxer, Zoe and participating in athletics. She is planning to become a veterinarian in the future. "I believe animals are what best friends are supposed to be."

Ericca has worked at Oakwood Veterinary Service since June 2010.