Meet the Staff

Dr. 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 and the American Association of Feline Practitioners.

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 Tinley Park with her husband Scott and animal kids Riggs, Simba, Smooch and Tater.

Ed Wessels- Business Manager

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.

Joey Schmelzer- Office Manager

Joey has worked at AWCM since its inception. She has an associate degree in Business from Southern Illinois University and has worked in the veterinary field for ten years. She and her husband, Don, live in Manteno with their two greyhounds, Ruby and Lila, and their greyhound wanna-be, Dookie.

Donna Nadalin- 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 as a receptionist when the Animal Wellness Center opened its doors in 2004. She currently resides in Monee with her husband, Mike, and her dog, Missy.

Cathy Welch- Veterinary Assistant

Cathy is a graduate of Robert Morris College and has been with AWCM since May 2008. Over the past 23 years, while working in the commercial lending industry, Cathy has been part of the Volunteer Committee for a therapeutic horseback riding program. Previously, she enjoyed her role as Treasurer of the Virginia Beach SPCA Auxiliary, raising funds to start the first affordable spay/neuter clinic in Virginia Beach, VA. Cathy and her 10-year old Therapy Dog, Mya, are members of Therapy Dogs, Inc. Cathy currently resides in New Lenox with her husband (Bill), dog (Mya) and horse (CoCo).

Mandy Holt- Certified Veterinary Technician

Mandy graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 2002 with a Bachelors Degree in Zoology. Before entering the Veterinary Technology program she worked for a private owner for four years, taking care of nine Arabian horses. In 2006 she started the CVT program at JJC, where she became a Certified Veterinary Technician. Mandy, her husband, Tim, and their beautiful new baby girl, Gabriella, reside in Kankakee along with their three animals, Dime, Annie and Gibson.

Karmalyta Lang- Certified Veterinary Assistant

Karmalyta received her CVA certificate from Pima Medical Institute in Chula Vista, California. She is currently attending American Intercontinental University working toward her Associate in Business Administration degree. Karmalyta shares her home with her four beautiful children who she truly adores.

Kristin Humbles– Certified Veterinary Technician

After graduating from the Joliet Junior College Veterinary Medical Technology program in 2006, Kristin worked for nearly 3 years as a lead Hematology Technician at Antech Diagnostics in Oakbrook, IL where she learned a great deal about hematology, cytology, and urinalysis. While in school, Kristin gained some experience in emergency medicine while on internship. She is presently pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Kristin lives in Monee with her husband Jason, 3 year-old son Sean, and 14 month-old daughter Kylah. They have 2 cats, Jerry and Max. Some of her favorite past-times are camping and being outdoors, watching Chicago Bears football, and spending time with her family.

Lindsay Wilke

Lindsay Wilke is our newest addition and works with our boarding dogs, in addition to pitching in wherever she is needed.

Lindsay lives in Peotone and graduated from high school in 2010. Before joining the staff of AWCM, she was employed at Petsmart in Matteson for three years. She also has pets of her own, including one dog, one cat, twelve snakes, three lizards, three rats, one mouse, one tarantula and one bird.

Her love of animals comes from her having worked with rescue animals since the age of ten.