Dr. Lynlee Wessels
Veterinarian / Owner
Dr. Lynlee Wessels spent her childhood in Steger, Illinois. After graduating from Marian Catholic High School, she attended Eastern Illinois University where, in 1992, she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in zoology. In 1996, she graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, where she concentrated her studies on small animal medicine and surgery.
Dr. Wessels has practiced veterinary medicine in University Park and in Manteno from the time of her graduation until 2003. She then practiced relief veterinary work in the Chicagoland area. During this time, she focused on her continuing education in the practice of veterinary dentistry in addition to medicine and surgery. Dr. Wessels is a member of the American Animal Hospital Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, Illinois Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Feline Practitioners and is also certified in stem cell regenerative therapy.
Her dream of opening her own practice became a reality with the grand opening of the Animal Wellness Center of Monee in September 2004. Dr. Wessels resides in Green Garden with her husband Scott and animal kids.
Ed
Co-Founder
Ed has over four decades of functional management experience in the chosen fields of finance, logistics and project administration. He graduated from Governors State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration. In 2003, he and his favorite daughter pledged their expertise and assets to develop and operate the state of the art Animal Wellness Center of Monee. Ed lives in Crown Point, with Patricia and two canine friends.
Scott
Co-Founder
AWCM welcomed Scott as a member of the staff in August, 2012. Scott is originally from Northwest Indiana and was employed for over 20 years in the printing industry working in electronic pre-press. He has a degree in Technical Management, as well as Electronics and Computer Technology, both from DeVry University. Scott is the proud dad of three dogs.
Sebastian
Facility Manager and Bilingual CSR
Sebastian graduated from high school in 2015 in Hammond, Indiana, where he has lived since 2003. His journey into the veterinary field began during a routine visit for his dog, when he impressed the staff with his handling of his pet during treatment. This led to an offer for a position, eventually becoming the kennel manager. Sebastian enjoys working with animals, particularly the humorous moments when they wake up from anesthesia. Outside of work, he lives with one of his two older brothers, along with 3 pit bulls and a leopard gecko. In his spare time, he enjoys working on his Jeep, playing with his dogs, and hiking in forest preserves.
Sarah
Certified Veterinary Technician
Sarah is a Chicagoland native that graduated from Parkland College in Veterinary Technology and from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. After working as a certified veterinary technician in Champaign for several years, she now resides in Monee with her cat Jumbo to be closer to family.
Taylor
Veterinary Technician
Taylor graduated from Crete-Monee High School in 2016 and furthered her education at the Vet Tech Institute, earning her degree in 2018. She is the proud owner of two dogs, Bella, a bloodhound, and Foley, a Staffordshire/Beagle mix. Additionally, Taylor cares for 13 chickens, 4 ducks, and 4 barn cats.
In her leisure time, Taylor enjoys traveling out of state, socializing with friends, listening to a variety of music genres, and going on dates with her significant other. Her passion for animals has been a lifelong commitment; as a child, she was captivated by TV shows featuring veterinarians and knew early on that she wanted to be the voice for animals.
Jillian
Trainer
Jillian grew up in Bolingbrook attending Benet Academy in Lisle and graduating in 1997. Furthering her studies, she played soccer at Saint Xavier University while she earned her B.S. in Business. In her spare time, she began volunteering for Reach Out Rescue where she helped with fundraising and walking the dogs in kennels.
Through volunteering, she realized she wanted to help people improve their relationships and experiences with their pets to help keep dogs out of shelters. She also decided she needed a dog of her own and adopted her beloved Camper, a Shorkie (Shih Tzu / Yorkshire Terrier), from PAWS Chicago. She began training with Camper and a short time later Camper earned her Canine Good Citizen Title. Jillian was then offered a job as a dog trainer and fell in love with the ability to help others through training.
Jillian believes positive reinforcement training creates an excellent bond between a dog and its owner and continuously training with your dog leads to improved socialization. “Socialization doesn’t mean just being good with other dogs….it’s new sights, new sounds, new smells, and new people.”
Jillian is also certified to train and test for AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy distinction and CGC (Canine Good Citizen), CGCA (AdvancedCGC), and CGCU (Urban CGC) titles.
Lindsay
Customer Service Representative
Lindsay has been a dedicated Client Service Representative since April 2011. Born and raised in Peotone, just south of Monee, her love for animals began at a young age. Growing up in a household filled with pets, Lindsay was surrounded by dogs, cats, and various small animals. Her mother’s work in rehabilitating wildlife and volunteering for local shelters and rescues further deepened her passion for animal care. From bottle-feeding babies to caring for senior pets, Lindsay’s upbringing naturally led her to a career in the veterinary industry.
Without a specific defining moment, Lindsay knew she had found the right profession—it simply felt like the perfect fit.
Outside of work, Lindsay resides in South Chicago Heights with her fiancé, Dave, and their diverse menagerie of pets, including five cats (Alexander Trager, Waffles, Ganon, Darth Vader, and Dobby) and four dogs (Eggplant, Lord Barkis, Peach, and Nandor the Relentless). She has a special passion for reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates, and her love for all animals extends even to those that others might shy away from.
Donna
Administration
Donna grew up in Steger. She worked for 12 years as a pharmacy technician until an illness forced her to resign. She returned to work when Animal Wellness Center opened its doors in 2004. She currently resides in Monee with her husband, Mike, and her dog, Lexie.
Julie
Veterinary Assistant
Julie is a dedicated Veterinary Assistant at Animal Wellness Center of Monee. Originally from the Northside of Chicago, Julie made the move to Monee about 14 years ago after meeting her husband. Her passion for working with animals has been a lifelong journey, sparked by a deep-seated love for animals that began in childhood.
Julie’s commitment to the veterinary field stems from her enduring desire to help and care for animals. She finds immense satisfaction in making pets feel comfortable during their appointments, a testament to her compassionate approach and understanding of their needs. Julie knew she was in the right profession when she realized that she was living out her dream of working closely with animals, fulfilling a goal she had cherished for as long as she can remember.
Outside of work, Julie is happily married and shares her life with her two beloved dogs—a Pitbull named Zero and a Labrador mix named Sally. She enjoys exploring new hiking trails with her canine companions and has a passion for photography, often capturing the beauty of her adventures through the lens. Julie’s commitment to both her professional and personal life reflects her deep appreciation for the world around her.
