Veterinarians
Dr. Lyndsey Houmes
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Dr. Houmes grew up in Springfield, IL and went to Pleasant Plains High School. She attended the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign earning her B.S. in Biology and then received her B.S. in Veterinary Science in 2003 and her DVM degree with Honors and from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. During her time at U of I, she volunteered as a tutor and mentor for children, worked at a veterinary clinic in Urbana , and worked at the university dairy farm.
Shortly after graduation, Dr. Houmes joined the West Lake Animal Hospital family and has been there ever since. She really enjoys her co-workers and loves working with clients and their pets. She has a special interest in internal medicine and client education. General practice is very rewarding because of the opportunity to treat a variety of medical conditions, and Dr. Houmes particularly enjoys connecting with her patients and their families. Dr Houmes met her husband, Barry, while attending undergrad at U of I, and they were married in June of 2005. They have two boys, Nathan and Ryan, who keep them busy with baseball, football, and basketball. In her free time, Dr. Houmes spends time with family and friends, volunteers with community members at Washington Street Mission, where she is a board member, and enjoys sports, traveling, outdoor activities, and going to Illini games. Dr Houmes and her family have a Golden Retriever Mix named Chewy and one guinea pig named Jerry. |
Dr. Katelyn Montgomery-Kangas
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Dr. Montgomery is a Springfield area native. She grew up on a family farm with her parents and two sisters. This is where her love of animals started. She loved learning about and caring for the different animals on the farm. She then went to SHG for high school before obtaining her bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Illinois followed by her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. While at school Dr. Montgomery enjoyed playing club volleyball, weightlifting, and trying new restaurants. She is interested in behavior medicine, preventative care, and building up client relationships.
Dr. Montgomery met her husband in her undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois and they were married while she was in veterinary school. She had her first child, Edward, in 2022 and has enjoyed the new challenge of motherhood. In her free time Dr. Montgomery enjoys visiting her family and hiking with her family and two dogs, Ruckus and Chief. She also has three cats Merlin, Mew, and Nugget. |
Staff
Patrick - Senior Veterinary Technician
Patrick was born and raised in Decatur Illinois and developed a passion for animals while first working with them in the U.S Army. Patrick has worked as a veterinary technician for the past 8 years while living in Chicago and Tampa, Florida. He joined us here at West Lake Animal Hospital in August of 2018 and loves the staff and our wonderful clients. Patrick is thoroughly impressed and motivated by the level of care and compassion that the entire staff exhibits on a daily basis and appreciates the love shown by our clients to their furry loved ones.
Patrick has an amazing wife and son in Jen and James. In his free time Patrick enjoys golfing, hiking, playing tennis and anything involving his family.
Patrick has an amazing wife and son in Jen and James. In his free time Patrick enjoys golfing, hiking, playing tennis and anything involving his family.
Lauren - Veterinary Technician
Lauren grew up in Williamsville, Illinois and graduated from Williamsville High School in 2016. She has always been an animal lover and had all kinds of pets growing up ranging from hermit crabs, fish, lizards, frogs, and of course cats and dogs! She doesn’t currently have any pets of her own, but enjoys spending time with her parent’s dogs, Roxie and Bella.
In her free time, she likes to play piano, camp, hike, and watch old movies. She has been a part of the West Lake team since April 2018 and is a Fear Free Certified Professional!
In her free time, she likes to play piano, camp, hike, and watch old movies. She has been a part of the West Lake team since April 2018 and is a Fear Free Certified Professional!
Brooke - Veterinary Technician
Brooke grew up in Springfield and went to college in St Louis at Vet Tech Institute at Hickey College graduating in 2016. She became a certified veterinary technician in 2018 and has been enamored with veterinary medicine since. Brooke has 3 ferrets currently, Ozzie, Sly Cooper, and Miles who keep her busy.
In her free time, she loves to draw, do puzzles and play video games. Brooke is obsessed with Disney and her favorite vacation spot is any Disney theme park. Brooke became fear free certified in 2022 and really loves implementing all the fear free practices she has learned.
In her free time, she loves to draw, do puzzles and play video games. Brooke is obsessed with Disney and her favorite vacation spot is any Disney theme park. Brooke became fear free certified in 2022 and really loves implementing all the fear free practices she has learned.
Madeline - Veterinary Assistant
Madeline was born in Evansville, Indiana, where she lived before moving to Springfield in 2012. She is a graduate of Calvary Academy High School. She received her Veterinary Assistant certificate through Lincoln Land Community College in February, 2021, and is currently working toward her Veterinary Technician degree through Purdue University. She joined the West Lake team in September of 2021, and loves providing compassionate care to our furry clients, while also assisting the awesome doctors, technicians, and receptionists who are a part of the West Lake team.
Madeline has a Havanese Shih Tzu, Gracie. She enjoys baking, walking, reading about all kinds of animals, and eating ice cream.
Madeline has a Havanese Shih Tzu, Gracie. She enjoys baking, walking, reading about all kinds of animals, and eating ice cream.
Betsy - Office Manager
Betsy grew up on a farm as a child. She always had several dogs and cats growing up on the farm. She always has had a love for dogs and cats. She is married and has a family of two grown children, including three grandchildren and one great grandchild. She has lived in Springfield for 30 some years. She is a member of Southernview Chapel Church in Springfield. She started working at West Lake Animal Hospital because she wanted to help people with the care of their pets. Betsy at present has 3 cats. She has acquired many cats while working here that have since passed on. She feels it is very rewarding to help people understand the importance of taking the best care of their pets. She also feels her co-workers and doctors are her second family. We all try to take care of each other here. She couldn’t have found a better place to work and try to make a difference in people’s lives and the lives of their pets.
Sue - Receptionist
Sue grew up on the south side of Chicago, graduating from St. Francis de Sales High School. She began her career in education in 1976, in Virginia, Illinois. In 1982 she secured a position in the Ball-Chatham school district where she spent the remainder of her career. Sue's Golden Retriever Augie was a retirement gift from the faculty and staff at Glenwood Middle School. Sue loves working with the wonderful veterinarians and support staff at West Lake Animal Hospital.
Zoey - Receptionist
Zoey is currently a junior enrolled at Rochester High School. She loves to play volleyball and hang out with friends. She has 4 older siblings, 3 brothers and 1 sister. She also has 3 nieces and 2 nephews who she really enjoys hanging out with.
Zoey has an orange tabby cat named Milo who she rescued from Yoga4cats. She started working at West Lake Animal Hospital because she likes being around animals.
Zoey has an orange tabby cat named Milo who she rescued from Yoga4cats. She started working at West Lake Animal Hospital because she likes being around animals.