Staff
Meet Our Skilled Team
Learn Who We Are
Dr. Lynda Gould
Owner and Veterinarian
Dr. Gould, a northern Illinois native, received her veterinary degree from the University of Illinois in 2009. She also completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois, graduating with her name on the Bronze Tablet in 2005.
She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association (ISVMA). Dr. Gould is a 2014 graduate of the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Program.
Dr. Gould lives with her daughter, son, and husband Austin on a small farmette with Barley the dog, Johnny the cat, goats, pigs and a rotating cast of other creatures. She enjoys hiking, cooking, reading, and traveling.
Dr. Heather Sperfslage
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Heather is from Bettendorf, IA where she spent most of her childhood riding and showing horses. She was active in 4-H and knew she wanted to be a veterinarian from a young age. She graduated from Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015 and began working for Ashton not long after.
Dr. Heather enjoys caring for both small and large animals. Her main areas of veterinary interest include preventative care and client education. Dr. Heather likes spending time with her husband and daughter. They live on a small acreage where they have 2 dogs, cats, a horse and honey bees.
Dr. Whitney Webb Klein
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Webb grew up in Cherokee, Iowa. She graduated from Iowa State University Veterinary Medicine in 2020. She worked at a small animal practice in LaSalle/Peru for the first couple of years before joining the Ashton team in 2023.
Dr. Webb enjoys working with dogs, cats, and some small mammals, and her special interests are ophthalmology and ultrasound. In her free time, she enjoys kayaking and fishing and spending time with her husband Riley, their twin boys, and their dog and cat.
Dr. Natalie Craig
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Craig grew up in Pelham, NY a small suburb outside of New York City. From a young age she knew she wanted to work with animals. During her time in college, she rode for her college equestrian team and worked on a dairy farm, which sparked an interest in equine and ruminant medicine. She graduated from Midwestern University, College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a large animal rotating internship at Iowa State University following graduation.
Dr. Craig enjoys working with small and large animals with a special interest in cardiology. In her spare time, she enjoys riding horses and hiking with her dog.
Tara Hendren
Office Manager, Certified Veterinary Technician
Tara graduated with a degree in Veterinary Technology from Rockford Career College in 2017, and joined our staff that same year. Tara shares her time between both the Ashton and Kaneville locations. Tara was born and raised in Paw Paw, IL and enjoys working with both small and large animals. Tara's favorite area of interests is oral health and anesthesia for both canines and felines and finding ways to improve client and patient care. Her personal pets include two dogs and two cats. In her spare time, Tara enjoys taking her dogs on hikes, doing any kind of arts and crafts, and playing video games.
Kaitlyn Sikkema
Assistant Office Manager, Certified Veterinary Technician
Kaitlin began working at Ashton Animal Clinic in 2021 and has been in the veterinary field for 4 years previously. She is attending Rockford Career College and earning her degree in Veterinary Technology. She has a special interest in digital imaging/radiology. She has one dog, two cats and two chinchillas.
Mallory Streit
Certified Veterinary Technician
Mallory joined the staff at Ashton Animal Clinic in May 2011. You will find Mallory working at both our Ashton and Kaneville locations. She earned her degree in Veterinary Technology at Rockford Career College in 2009. Mallory enjoys her position as a veterinary technician because it gives her the chance to educate clients on pet care and nutrition. Mallory enjoys spending time with her husband, 2 children, and their pets- their cat Barry and bearded dragon Bruce.
Cat Gonzalez
Certified Veterinary Technician
Cat graduated with a degree in Veterinary Technology from Rockford Career College in 2016 and joined our team later that same year. Cat’s favorite thing to do is assisting with surgery and helping pets through the recovery process. In her down time, she enjoys spending time with her dogs and cats.
Neva Lauer
Certified Veterinary Technician
We welcomed Neva to our team in 2020. She received her Veterinary Technology degree from Rockford Career College. Neva enjoys small and exotic animal medicine. She enjoys spending time with her pets which include; 2 cats, ducks, and goats.
Amy Lauer
Veterinary Assistant
Amy has worked at the Ashton Animal Clinic since 2008 wearing many different hats. She offers multiple years of experience and knowledge in canine breeding and showing to our clients. Amy enjoys working at Ashton Animal Clinic because it gives her the chance to help educate owners on pet care. Amy lives on an acreage with her husband John and their 4 children. Her personal pets include dogs, cats, horses, goats, and ducks.
Katie Harmata
Veterinary Assistant
Katie is our veterinary assistant and joined our team in 2019. Katie graduated from Kishwaukee's Veterinary Assistant program in (2019). You will see Katie at the Kaneville Office. With her time outside of the clinic, you can find Katie running her own greenhouse business in Yorkville as well as helping foster dogs until they find their forever homes. Her personal pets include dogs, cats, and chickens.
Michelle Hunt
Veterinary Assistant
Michelle moved to the area in 2013 and started working as a bather at a local pet store. With her love of animals, she wanted to become more involved with not only the pets, but the owners as well leading her to join our team at Ashton Animal Clinic in 2016. Michelle has grown up with owning dogs and cats her whole life. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time and traveling with her husband, children, and pets.
Meredith Liedberg
Veterinary Assistant, Receptionist
Meredith joned the team in 2022 as a veterinary receptionist and assistant. She loves connecting with clients and never misses a chance to say hello to the pets visiting the clinic. When she is not at work, you can find her hiking with her dog Walter, traveling or relaxing with a good book.
Kyleigh Jones
Veterinary Assistant, Receptionist
Kyleigh joined our Kaneville team in late 2024 as a receptionist and assistant. She loves to interact with clients as well as meet all the amazing animals that come into the clinic. She spends most of her free time outdoors surrounded by her friends or reading books. Her own personal pets include a cat, Juno, and a little dog named Wilfred!
Meagan Schumaker
Veterinary Assistant, Receptionist
Meagan grew up on a farm and that is where her love for animals began. By 3 years old, she was riding her quarter horse, Dan, and developed a strong interest in animal behavior and handling. She graduated from the Veterinary Assistant program through Kish College and completed her externship with us in 2025. She fit so well we decided to add her to the team! Outside of work, she enjoys painting and hiking. Her pets include three dogs and one cat.
OFFICE HOURS
Our Regular Schedule
Ashton Office
Monday
07:30 am - 05:00 pm
Tuesday
07:30 am - 05:00 pm
Wednesday
07:30 am - 05:00 pm
Thursday
07:30 am - 05:00 pm
Friday
07:30 am - 05:00 pm
Saturday
07:30 am - 12:30 pm
Sunday
Closed
Kanville Office
Monday
08:00 am - 05:00 pm
Tuesday
08:00 am - 05:00 pm
Wednesday
08:00 am - 04:00 pm
Thursday
Closed
Friday
08:00 am - 04:00 pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
OUR LOCATION
Find us on the map
Address
Contact Information
47W276 Main Street Road,
Elburn, IL 60119
1008 N 1st Street Ashton IL 61006