Team
Meet Our Team
Behind our AAHA-accredited hospitals is a team of veterinarians dedicated to bringing the utmost skill, expertise, and compassionate understanding to every appointment. Meet our doctors below.
Meet Our Veterinarians
We’re so grateful to have the opportunity to meet your pets, and we hope you’ll take this chance to scroll down and get to know us as well.
Dr. Mark A. Larson
DVM
Dr. Larson graduated from Kansas State University and has practiced in the Peoria/Morton area for the last twenty years. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association. Dr. Larson does work for Foster Pet Outreach, Paws for Independence, Operation Safe, and Pets for Seniors.
Dr. Larson practices at peoria location only.
Dr. Tracey Siegle
DVM
Dr. Siegle joined our practice in June 2023 but has been practicing in the area for close to 20 years. Dr. Siegle grew up in Jacksonville, IL. She attended Illinois College, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biology, University of Illinois for her Bachelor of Science and Doctorate. She has experience in mixed animal practice, USDA food safety, and zoology. She shows an interest in Gross Pathology, Dermatology, Parasitology, and end-of-life care.
In her off time, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Cinder (a Beagle mix) and Latte (a Retriever mix). She feels at home in the outdoors and enjoys fishing, hiking, kayaking, and more. She is also an avid traveler with a love of history. When she is at home, you can usually find her with a book or catching up on her favorite shows and movies.
Dr. Siegle practices at our Peoria location.
Dr. P.J. Klopfenstein
DVM
Dr. Klopfenstein joined our practice in June 2006. He is a 2004 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. He grew up in Morton and graduated from Morton High School in 1996. He resides in Morton with his wife Ali, their children Charlie, Lily, and Henry, and two dogs, Buster Brown and Brinkley. Dr. Klopfenstein is happy and proud to be serving the needs of your companion animals in Morton and the surrounding areas.
Dr. Klopfenstein practices at our Morton location.
Dr. Janelle Lyons
DVM
Dr. Janelle Lyons joined our practice in June 2015. She is a 2015 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. She grew up outside of Bloomington, IL, and graduated from Tri-Valley High School in 2007. Dr. Lyons spent the next 8 years in Champaign, IL, completing first her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and then Veterinary School. Dr. Lyons and her husband, Scott, are very excited to be in the Morton/Peoria area and close to both their families. Together, they have an English Bulldog named Wrigley, a Newfoundland named Paisley, and a cat named Ohs. In her free time, Dr. Lyons enjoys movies, cooking, spending time outdoors, and the occasional craft or home improvement project.
Dr. Lyons practices at our Morton location.
Dr. Bryana Mitchell
DVM
Dr. Bryana Mitchell joined our practice in 2020. She attended the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, where she received her degree in 2017. After veterinary school, Dr. Mitchell completed a fast-paced, high-volume mixed animal internship in Texas, where she stayed on as an associate veterinarian. Deciding to further her knowledge in the equine world, she completed a second internship at a highly successful practice in Kentucky. Missing the excitement of mixed animal medicine, Dr. Mitchell settled back in her hometown to practice at Tender Care Animal Hospital and run her own business, River Valley Veterinary Services, a large animal mobile practice, in her free time. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs, riding and showing her American Saddlebred horses.
Dr. Mitchell practices at both our Morton and Peoria locations.
Dr. Candace Whittington
DVM
Dr. Whittington’s love for caring for her family’s pets helped to grow her passion for animals. She graduated from San Diego State University and then from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts with her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Her medical interests include surgery, diagnostic imaging, and marine mammals. Dr. Whittington is a veteran of the U. S. Marine Corps, and now back home from California, she enjoys spending time staying active and with her family. Her little companion, Tucker, often keeps her busy when not at work, too!
Dr. Whittington practices at both our Morton and Peoria locations.
Dr. David Simison
DVM
Dr. Simison joined our practice in September 2024 but has been happily practicing in the area for the past 10 years. Dr. Simison grew up in North Peoria, where he attended Dunlap High School. He then went on to the University of Illinois, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology. He then went on to attend Veterinary school, also at U of I. He enjoys all facets of Veterinary medicine, but has a special interest in soft tissue surgery the most.
In his off time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Hannah, and their two dogs, a boxer named Stella and a cavachon named Chuck, going to the gym, and volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Dr. Simison was also the 2019 Big Brother of the year and was featured in the Big Brothers Big Sisters 30 Dudes in 30 Days on Facebook.
Dr. Simison practices at our Peoria location.