Staff

Innovative and sustainable veterinary care

Learn More About
Effingham Veterinary Clinic Ltd

Locally Owned Veterinary Clinic Since 1973

From general surgery and immunization to pet wellness and intensive care, the highly skilled veterinarians at Effingham Veterinary Clinic can handle all kinds of pet services. We have nine full-time doctors on staff who have a combined experience of over 100 years in the industry. We're members of AVMA and ISVMA.

We pride ourselves in providing innovative and sustainable veterinary care for most species. We use the latest veterinary techniques and best practices in veterinary care. All our veterinarians are DVM certified and attend ongoing training to keep abreast of the changes in veterinary care.

You'll be pleased to learn that we have won the People's Choice Award for veterinary and small animal clinics in Effingham County. We're highly rated by our customers. You can schedule same-day appointments with us. Head over to our clinic on 408 N Keller Dr or call us on 217-342-9793.

Our Services

Meet Our Exceptional Team of Doctors and Technicians

Dr. Chad Ely

Veterinarian

Dr. Chad graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. He loves working with a team and providing the best medical and surgical care to all his patients and their owners.

Dr. Chad's vision for Effingham Veterinary Clinic is to continue an excellent tradition of providing the highest-quality veterinary care with compassion and dedication. Here he is with his dog, Demi!

Dr. Dale Spindler

Veterinarian

Dr. Dale grew up on a farm in Indiana. He studied at Purdue Veterinary School and has been practicing veterinary medicine for over 35 years. His favorite part of working at our clinic is helping pet owners keep their pets healthy.

His main goal as a vet is to be part of a successful team that promotes animal health and provides excellent care to the Effingham County area. He has two rescue dogs - Toby and Sadie and 3 cats - Curly, Cheech and Chong!

Dr James Gratz

Veterinarian

Dr James grew up in rural northern Illinois where he cultivated a love of science and animals. He graduated with honors from University of Illinois in 1994 and started working at Effingham Veterinary Clinic. Since that time, he has been involved with mixed animal practice, however most of his time is now devoted to dairy producers.

Outside of work, Dr James spends as much time as possible with his four daughters. They raise and exhibit sheep, pigeons, ducks and rabbits, along with many other animals that have found a home with the family. Dr James also greatly enjoys coaching youth in the fine art of olympic style rifle shooting.

Dr. Mara Fehrenbacher

Veterinarian

Dr. Mara graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2016. Through her studies, she grew to love the production of animal medicine and found a passion for working with producers and their animals.

Dr. Mara grew up in a rural area and was always surrounded by animals. She is eager to bring her knowledge and care to the Effingham Veterinary Clinic. Here she is with her dog, Yogi!

Dr. Lindsey Goeckner

Veterinarian

Dr. Lindsey graduated from University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. She grew up in rural Effingham where her love for animals began.

Dr. Lindsey strives to make a connection with every patient she meets and enjoys working with the great team at Effingham Vet Clinic to help provide quality care.

Dr Tanner Kirby

Veterinarian

Dr. Tanner is a US Army veteran, honorably discharged in 2002. He soon began and graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. Being from the area, he was eager to get back home to provide the best medicine and surgery services to his patients, large and small. Dr. Tanner not only enjoys treating the animals but also loves getting to know his clients, many of whom he calls his friends!

Dr. Tanner enjoys horseback riding and hanging with his dog, Harley.

Dr. Jessie McKinney

Veterinarian

Dr. Jessie grew up in rural Neoga on a beef cattle and grain farm. This is where her love for animals, both large and small, started. She graduated with honors from the University of Illinois Veterinary School in 2012 and started working at Effingham Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Jessie deeply loves her community and working with the clients. She loves to solve problems.

Outside of work, she enjoys raising and showing livestock with her husband

and kids.

Dr. Katie Shreve

Veterinarian

Dr. Katie is a native of Madison, West Virginia; a small town in the rural coalfields. She grew up with many species of pets including her loving Labrador Retriever Lucky. Dr. Katie completed her education at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. While at Ohio State, she was a Stanton Scholar and completed externships in Texas, Kentucky and Cleveland, all focusing on large animal and emergency medicine.

Katie is fulfilling her lifelong dream of working with small and large animals. She resides in Newton with her cat, Luna.

Dr. Candace Walk

Veterinarian

Dr. Candace was born and raised in Dieterich, IL. She is a 2022 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. She is recently married to her husband, a swine farmer, in 2020. They share their home with a sweet puppy named Brooks. Her favorite thing about working in the clinic are puppy appointments!

Dr Candace loves spending time with friends and family outside of work.

Dr. Brianne Urfer

Veterinarian

Dr. Brianne grew up in rural Jasper county and now lives in Effingham with her cat, Franklin. She recently graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and joined our team. Her favorite thing about her job is establishing relationships with not only the patients but the clients as well.

Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Brianne enjoys landscaping and gardening.

Joy

Veterinarian Technician

Joy has wanted to help animals since she was six-years-old. Her favorite part of working with animals is helping owners learn how to better bond with their pets. Joy has worked with animals her entire life and has worked as a Veterinary Technician for 20 years.

Her goal at Effingham Veterinary Clinic is to learn more about pet behavior management and to help build a strong team within the clinic. Here she is with her dog, Demi!

Sarah

Veterinarian Technician

Sarah has a special gift and bonds with animals immediately. From 4-H dog and cat shows to helping at her grandparent's dairy farms, Sarah has always had a passion for pets. Her favorite part of working here is when she is able to calm a nervous pet.

Sarah graduated from the Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in 2007 and has been working in a veterinary clinic setting for more than 14 years. She is featured here with her Himalayan cat, Brewer.

Kelly

Office Manager

Kelly has always wanted to work with animals since she was young. Her favorite part of working with animals is that they love unconditionally and that they are always appreciative even if they can't talk back!

Kelly has been working at Effingham Veterinary Clinic for 13 years and she holds a B.S. in Zoology from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Erin

Staff

Erin is a true animal lover with three cats, one dog and five horses! Erin's favorite part of working at Effingham Veterinary Clinic is seeing all of the animal's different personalities and knowing that the clinic is helping them stay healthy.

As the first face, most people will meet at the clinic. Her goal is to give great customer service and to be kind and compassionate to both our furry friends and their owners. Here she is with her cat Albert.

Nicole

Staff

Nicole, here with her dog Ladybird, has been a longtime lover of animals and wants to help patients live long happy lives. She has been at Effingham Veterinary Clinic for nine years. She loves the eclectic mix of patients' species and breeds

Nicole has a knack for getting to know each animal's personality. Her goal at the clinic is to be a part of a team that continues to give phenomenal care to our clients and their animals.

Taylor

Staff

Taylor graduated from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale with a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science in 2017. She has been with us since 2020. She loves getting to know all the personalities of the animals that come to the clinic and seeing the immense love between pets and their owners.

She enjoys her time with her husband and daughter. They share their home with 2 dogs and a cat. She is seen with her dog, Winnie, above.

Emily

Staff

Emily has held a strong passion for animals and agriculture her whole life. Starting young, she showed many different animals and was a member of the FFA. Her family owns a farm of White Park cattle which she is very proud of. They share the farm with peacocks, chickens, turkeys, 6 cats and 3 dogs! She has 1 dog and 2 cats she calls her own. Emily graduated from Iowa State with a degree in Animal Science in 2020 and started working with us.

Her favorite thing about working in the clinic is the diversity of what's seen every day. Outside work, she enjoys gardening, scrapbooking and showing cattle.