We have a warm heart for cold noses

About Our Clinic

Countryside Animal Clinic is a full-service, small animal hospital. The veterinarians and staff at Countryside have been providing Streator and the surrounding communities with outstanding veterinary care for over 30 years. Dr. Susan Schmitt first opened the clinic in 1985, as a single doctor. Since then, Countryside has evolved to become a modern five  doctor practice that continues to provide our patients with the latest advances in veterinary medicine. All five of our veterinarians are Streator natives and proud graduates of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.

Veterinarians

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Dr. Sue Schmitt

Dr. Schmitt is a 1982 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Before going to vet school, Dr. Schmitt attended Illinois Valley Community College. She then attended Southern Illinois University where she received a bachelor's degree in animal science, followed by a master’s degree in reproductive physiology. After graduating from veterinary school, Dr. Schmitt practiced in Milwaukee for one year and in University Park for two years.  In 1985 she returned to her hometown of Streator and opened Countryside Animal Clinic.

Dr. Schmitt shares her home with "Iris" the Bernese Mountain Dog.

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Dr. Bob Harms

Dr. Harms is a 1989 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Upon graduating, Dr. Harms spent a year as a large animal veterinarian, then joined Countryside Animal Clinic in 1990.

Dr. Harms holds a federal and state license that allows him to medically and surgically treat sick or injured birds of prey, including hawks, owls, eagles, and falcons.

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Dr. Abbie Eiten

Dr. Abbie Eiten

Dr. Abbie Eiten is a 2013 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her undergraduate work at Illinois Valley Community College and Illinois State University in Normal, IL. Since Dr. Abbie was born and raised in Streator, and is also the niece of Dr. Schmitt, she has had the privilege of working in pretty much every area at Countryside since she was very young.

Dr. Abbie and her husband Derek were married in June of 2014. Her husband works at Vactor.  Abbie and Derek have three children Thatcher, Elodie, and Chalmers. They share their home with their three cats; Ethel, Owen, and Agnus and their two dogs Myrtle, a Boxer; and Gladys, an English Bulldog.

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Dr. Kelsie Allen and Grady

Dr. Kelsie Allen

Dr. Kelsie Allen is a 2018 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Before going to vet school, she attended Northern Illinois University where she received a bachelor’s degree in biology. She is excited to be back in her hometown practicing veterinary medicine at Countryside Animal Clinic. Dr. Allen is the proud parent of five dogs; Grady, a Great Dane; Buckethead, a Saint Bernard; Gus, a Saint Bernard; and Lazarus, an English Mastiff; and Motley, an English Mastiff; as well as three horses, eight cats, and seventeen chickens.

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Veterinary Assistants

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Danielle

Danielle first joined Countryside in 2012 as a kennel assistant, but her passion for animals did not end there. She started working as a veterinary assistant in 2014 and couldn't be happier. In her free time she enjoys endless naps with her dogs Evie and Eddie.

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Bridget CVT

Bridget started at Countryside in 2017 and graduated from Joliet Junior College in 2022 as a CVT. She has two chihuahua mixes and a Doberman Pinscher. In her free time she enjoys reading and hanging out with her family.

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Kaylee CVT

Kaylee started working at Countryside in 2023 as a veterinary technician extern. She graduated from Joliet Junior College in August of 2023 and became a CVT in April of 2024. When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her friends or snuggling up with her dog, Bella and reading a good book.

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Marissa

Marissa started here at Countryside in 2019, but has been a vet assistant since 2015. She enjoys being apart of our veterinary team and loving on all the critters that come through our door. When she's not in the clinic she is chasing her two sons around. Her & her husband Zach live on a farm with three dogs; Rein, Piper, and Cinch, two cats; Cletus and Lady May, a horse, a donkey, two goats, five ducks and forty chickens.

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Kenzie CVT

Kenzie started at Countryside in March of 2024 as an intern. She attended Joliet Junior College where she will graduate in May 2024 as a CVT. In her spare time she likes to travel and go on walks with her dog Loki.

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Hollie

Holly started here at Countryside in 2020 as a Vet assistant. In her free time she is busy keeping up with her boys and her Chocolate Lab; Earl.

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Sydney

Sydney started working at Countryside in 2021 as a kennel assistant, but recently became a vet assistant through the work program in 2023. Sydney loves animals of all kinds and even plans to go to veterinary school in the future. In her free time she can be found playing with her German Shepard puppy, Aspen.

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Receptionists

Alyssa

Alyssa joined Countryside in 2021 as a receptionist and loves being around animals. Alyssa and her boyfriend Joe share their home with their Pitbull mix; Patton, their four cats, and a few other critters. Pictured with Alyssa is her cat; Calley who is 17 years old. When she's not in the clinic, she likes spending time with her family and friends.

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Brady

Brady started at Countryside Animal Clinic in 2021 in the front office. He enjoys playing his guitar and singing in his free time and hanging out with his two cats, Rocket and Trip.

Animal Care

Dawn

Dawn

Dawn first started at Countryside Animal Clinic in 1997 as a Kennel Assistant, and now holds the title of our Kennel Supervisor. Dawn works closely with Streator High School's work program, helping train students in the every-day tasks of being an Animal Care Assistant. Dawn and her husband Jim share their home with several rescue cats, a bunny and their three dogs; Pixie, a Chihuahua; Chico, a Chihuahua; and Rusty, a Golden Retriever.

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Animal Care Assistants

Our Animal Care Assistants are dedicated to keeping your pet comfortable during their stay at Countryside Animal Clinic. They all take pride in making sure your pet's needs are met no matter what, treating each pet as if it was their own. Some of their daily tasks include feeding, exercising, bathing, brushing, and making sure they have a clean and comfortable place to sleep. All of our Animal Care Assistants are very conscious of each pet's condition during their stay and make a point to notify the doctors and assistants if anything unusual arises.

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