The AEC is staffed by a highly trained team of veterinarians, certified veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, receptionists and kennel crew. Through a combination of college education, journal research, in house staff training, continuing education and internet based media our staff maintains an up to date ‘pulse’ on the veterinary field with cutting edge procedures and medical therapy. Instant access to the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) allows our veterinary staff to get the latest information on many toxins, treatment protocols and drug information, often allowing implementation of the recommendations of specialists before it is published in the text books.
Veterinarians
Dr. Kevin Thrall’s focus has been in emergency and critical care since 1995. Prior to attending veterinary school at the University of Wisconsin he worked in a veterinary emergency hospital for four years. While in veterinary school, he was awarded scholarships for his insights into geriatric medicine and nutrition as they pertain to patients in the critical care unit. His clinical year brought him to specialty practices in California and Michigan where he trained under board certified emergency and critical care clinicians. He was subsequently acknowledged by the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS) for outstanding achievement. After graduation he worked in general practice before working in emergency hospitals in both Madison, WI and McHenry county. Dr. Thrall then joined the veterinary team at the AEC in 2007, and became the Medical Director in 2008. He has been a member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society since 2000 and the American Veterinary Medical Association since 2004. His other interests include spending time with his children, camping and feeding his chickens and sheep, as well as restoring a 1947 Ford 8n tractor.
Dr. Cohen earned her BS in Biology from Michigan State University and is a graduate of the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island where she was awarded the MTC Pharmaceuticals Award and achieved acknowledgement and credit in Anatomy, Anesthesia and Ophthalmology. Since receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree, Dr. Cohen has worked exclusively as an emergency clinician and is accomplished in crucial emergency medical/surgical procedures and critical care. Dr. Cohen enjoys all aspects of emergency medicine with special interest in trauma and pain management. Exploring animal behavior has also become a passion.
Dr. Cohen is an active member in the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society as well as both the American and Canadian Veterinary Medical Associations. Dr. Cohen has contributed time to the DNR Wildlife Rehabilitation Association where she has repeatedly been a guest lecturer at annual meetings.
Dr. Cohen credits her strong work ethics to family influence and a lifelong love and dedication to animal welfare. The combination of medicine and ability to work with animals to end suffering was her inspiration for becoming a veterinarian.
When Dr. Cohen is not attending to her patients, she enjoys movies, photography, fast cars, boating and spending time with family, pets and friends.
Dr. Haley Ream graduated from Cardinal Stritch University majoring in Biology and received her veterinary medicine degree from The University of Illinois in 2021. She have always had a love for animals growing up. She was in 4H for 11 years showing cattle and pigs. Throughout vet school her passion for small animals grew and she developed a special interest in emergency medicine. In her spare time she likes to exercise, travel, and loves spending time with her family. Currently, Dr. Ream has one yellow lab named Remington but plans to have more fur babies soon.
Dr. Abby Brown Biography coming soon
Dr. Teresa Schecker has been heavily involved with rescue and shelter work for many years. She has taken several trips to underserved areas where she volunteered surgery and medical skill to pets in need. This provided her opportunity to help hone those skills which are very transferable to emergency medicine. She currently works with Bulldog rescue. Dr. Schecker really enjoys the variety of work in Emergency Medicine and finds motivation in helping people and their pets through stressful times.
She is used to working a fast pace and is very client service oriented. Dr. Schecker is a member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society where she routinely performs continuing education.
Dr Schecker spent 10 years in the US Army prior to obtaining an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois in 2016.
She loves spending time with her cats and dogs, driving a Vespa and 1975 VW Superbeetle.
Dr. Emily Schier Biography coming soon
Dr. Crystal Ruter Biography coming soon