ABOUT US
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Dr. Nelson
Owner / Veterinarian
Dr. Nelson graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002 with Highest Honors. His professional interests include preventative medicine, both soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, and nutrition. He has significant surgical experience, from laser surgery to advanced orthopedic procedures. His first priority is always the pet’s quality of life, and he strives to improve that quality by providing the highest quality veterinary medicine and surgery.
He bought Kuhns Animal Clinic in July 2008 for two reasons. First, he loves Geneseo and the surrounding community. He is a very big fan of the Andy Griffith Show, and he always says that Geneseo is a modern day Mayberry. It is an ideal place to raise a family and call “home”. The people are so friendly and really love their pets. Second, Dr. Kuhns had a wonderful practice and reputation, and Dr. Nelson wants Maple Ridge Veterinary Clinic to continue that tradition.
Dr. Nelson is married to his high school sweetheart, Faith. Both of them grew up in Dallas City, IL, graduated from Dallas City High School and Monmouth College. Together, they have three children: Hayley, Drew, and Sydney. They also have several “four legged children”, two golden retrievers named Wrigley and Ivy, a Brussels Griffon named Pippa, and two rabbits named Henry and Beatrice. In their free time, the Nelsons love to attend whatever activities their kids are in, from the various bands to all sorts of athletic events. They also love traveling to Disney World whenever they can, with or without kids, and cheering on the Fighting Illini loudly. They are very active in Heritage Church, and seek God’s will in all that they do.
One of the awards that has been most meaningful and humbling to Dr. Nelson is the Dr. Erwin Small First Decade that he received in 2011. The award is given annually to one veterinarian who has graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine within the last 10 years. It recognizes someone who represents high standards of professionalism and demonstrates leadership in veterinary medicine.
Dr. Nelson is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Mentor Program, and the Geneseo Rotary Club (Past President). He also has served on the board of directors of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association (served as Treasurer for 3 years), the Mississippi Valley Veterinary Medical Association (Past President), the Animal Emergency Center of the Quad Cities, the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce (Past President), Heritage Church in Rock Island, and was the veterinarian featured on the monthly “Ask the Vet” segment on Paula Sands Live.
Dr. Julie Snodgrass
Veterinarian
Dr. Julie Snodgrass is from a farm outside Kirkwood, IL and graduated from University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018. Her professional interests include surgery and internal medicine. She began her career at a mixed animal practice in west-central Illinois, where she cared for anything from beef cattle to rabbits in addition to dogs and cats. No matter what the species, Dr. Julie's favorite part of practicing is getting to know new people and their animals!
Dr. Julie is married to Lance, a seed corn research technician who she met during her undergraduate studies at Iowa State University. They recently welcomed a daughter named Rowyn, who already enjoys being outside with animals as much as her parents do. Dr. Julie lives outside of Geneseo with a spaniel-hound mix named Tig, an Australian shepherd named Brandy, and a barn cat named Josey. In her free time, she enjoys working with her dogs, playing and listening to music, cooking, and doing a variety of outdoor activities with her family.
Faith Nelson
Hospital Administrator
Faith is the wife of Dr. Nelson. She was born and raised in Dallas City, Illinois and graduated from Monmouth College in 1999. She has worked as a legal assistant in Champaign, Quincy, and Geneseo. She is currently the hospital administrator of both Maple Ridge Veterinary Clinic and Maplewood Veterinary Center. She is also a full-time mother of their three children, Hayley, Drew, and Sydney. Faith is excited to be in Geneseo and to raise their children here.
Meet the rest of the Team...
ABOUT US
Tammy grew up in Rock Island, IL where she met her husband, Joe. Together they moved to Geneseo in 1997 to raise their family. She has 3 children, Rachel, Jacob and Jeremy along with her 3 dogs Wrigley, Addi and Scout.
In her free time, Tammy enjoys dog training (especially her own) and going on long walks with them. She also loves swimming, gardening and spending time with her family.
One of her favorite quotes is: “The world would be a nicer place if we had the ability to love unconditionally as a dog” M.K. Clinton
She is very passionate about animals and we are happy she has joined our team!
Brock A small town boy from Sherrard, Illinois, Brock graduated from Sherrard High School in 2018, then will complete the Black Hawk East Veterinary Technician program as of May 2021.
Brock loves a variety of things: from the outdoors to Star Wars, haunted houses to Pokemon, and the Chicago Bears. In his free time he loves to hunt, fish, go camping with his family, and volunteering at the haunted house "Torment at 1200."
He is very passionate about his vet tech career and eventually wants to become a Veterinarian Technician Specialist in surgery.
Brocks loves his animals. He has two leopard Geikos name Hex, and Jackie Frost, a Bearded dragon named Zelda, and two cats named Jaxs, and Willo. Brock is super excited to start his Vet Tech career at Maple Ridge, and we are thrilled to have him here.
Jillian is a Geneseo native, growing up here in our small town. She graduated from J.D. Darnell High School, where she met and married her husband, Marc. Together they have 4 kids: Bella, Sam, Grace and Hazel. They also have 3 dogs: Maggie (Weimaraner), Phoebe (German Shorthaired Pointer) and Zeus (Chihuahua).
When she isn’t greeting you at the front desk or managing the clinic, she enjoys attending her kids’ sporting events, spending time with her family and CrossFit.
Jillian joined the MRVC team in March of 2018 as receptionist and later became Clinic Manager in the fall of 2019.
Hayley is a student at the University of Illinois, with the hopes of becoming a veterinarian. While she was at Geneseo High School, she was the drum major of the marching band and was in Honors band, as well as Jazz and Pep bands.
As the oldest child of Dr. Matt and Faith, the clinic is becoming even more of a family business. At home she has 3 dogs, Wrigley and Ivy (Golden Retrievers) and Pippa (Brussels Griffon); and two rabbits, Henry and Beatrice. Hayley enjoys reading, listening to music, TedTalks and tie-dying.
Hayley loves working with all the pets in boarding and hospital recovery when she is home from school...and we love having her here!
Drew is the middle Nelson child, and the only son. He is a great kennel worker and mower of the lawn. At Geneseo High School, he plays football and baseball, plays in the Honors Band as well as the Jazz and Pep bands, and does radio play-by-play for the basketball and baseball games.
He hopes to attend a military academy, either in Annapolis or Colorado Springs.
Shelby was born and raised in Illinois and graduated from Cambridge high school in 2013. From there she began her college journey at Black Hawk College East Campus (BHE), joining their Equestrian Sciences program and graduating in 2016 with two associates in applied science - one in Equine science and one in Horse Science Technology.
In 2018, Shelby decided to go back to BHE and enroll in their Veterinary Technology program - graduating in 2020 with her associates in applied science. She is now working towards her National Veterinary Technician Exam to receive her CVT/RVT.
In her spare, time Shelby likes to spend time with her horse Rumor (Egyptian Arabian) and spend time with her friends and family, or just cuddling up on the couch with her puppy Wrangler (Weimaraner) and finding a good movie or new show to watch.
Shelby has a drive and passion for animals and veterinary medicine and loves to learn everything there is to learn that she can. Some of her favorite things to do as a tech is Leg wrapping and casting, Phlebotomy, and radiology.
