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Our team is fortunate to have one certified veterinary technicians (CVTs). CVTs have an extensive skillset and are the veterinary equivalent of a registered nurse, dental hygienist, x-ray technician, surgical nurse, and nurse anesthetist COMBINED. They really do it all!
Our CVTs graduated with associate degrees in Animal Health Technology and are registered and licensed in the State of Illinois. CVTs are trained in animal anatomy and physiology, parasitology, radiology, anesthesia, surgical assistance, nutrition, dentistry, and so much more.
Our CVTs regularly attend continuing education conferences and skill training courses to learn and practice nursing techniques in order to keep up with the latest and best care available.
Lincoln Land Animal Clinic is proud to say that we are the only practice in Jacksonville that has certified veterinary technicians. Their certification sets them apart from non-certified technicians.
Certified Veterinary Technicians vs. Veterinary Technicians
What is the difference?
The designation of “certified”,“registered”, or “licensed” ensures that the veterinary technician has completed appropriate courses, graduated, passed a credentialing test, and is licensed. Successful completion of a nationally accredited veterinary technician program and earning certification demonstrates competency and ultimately leads to higher quality care for your pet. To maintain their licensure, certified veterinary technicians must meet continuing education requirements.
For a human medicine comparison, registered nurses go through extensive schooling and have to pass a licensing exam before they can legitimately call themselves registered nurses. Without this education and experience, it would be inappropriate (and unethical) for someone to call themselves a nurse. Unfortunately, there are many people who claim to be veterinary technicians who have not completed the necessary education to become certified through the state licensing board. Simply assisting a veterinarian or working in a veterinary clinic is not equivalent to a true CVT.
TRICIA, CVT
Tricia is a CVT that started working for us in April on 2024. But she began working in the veterinary industry in 1990, at which time she decided it was for her. She has worked for 2 clinics prior to working here. The last clinic she worked at helped her pay for her classes to become a CVT. And this is when we met her; she completed her large animal classes with the help of both Dr. Colleen Koch and Dr. Joseph Koch, and earned her CVT license in 2011. She focuses her continuing education classes on subjects that she thinks will aid her in helping clinic patients the most.
Tricia's inside hobbies include crocheting, sewing, crafts, puzzles of all kinds, reading, & trying new recipes. But she prefers to be outside, where her hobbies include fishing, hiking, camping, flower gardening, yard games, etc.
Tricia's husband, Walt, has the same outdoor hobbies as she does, and he also enjoys playing the drums & guitar, and refinishing furniture. They share their house with a DLH cat named Tigger II that they adopted from a rescue shelter in Pekin, IL in 2010.
MAGGIE, CVT

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Maggie was the first certified veterinary technician to join our team at Lincoln Land Animal Clinic. She graduated from Parkland College of Champaign, Illinois in 2000.
Maggie taught us that certified vet techs are indispensable! Maggie is known among our team and clients for seeing the situation from the pet’s perspective and adjusting her methods to make patients more comfortable.
Her career goal is to provide the most compassionate up to date standard of care while taking into consideration the family’s goals and choices for their pet.
Maggie Ruth Willing, 45, of Chandlerville, passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2024. She was born December 15, 1979, in Topeka, Kansas, to Robert and Minda (Larsen) Rodriguez. She married Michael Dean Willing, on September 27, 2003. He preceded her in death on October 3, 2021.
Maggie- will live forever in our memories, her courage, determination and love for her family and friends was fierce. You taught us all so much about being pushed down and getting back up and fighting more.
We watched you grow, you babysat our kids and fell in love with a wonderful man. You have 2 amazing boys that you have taught well how to love and live; they are the sparkle in your eyes and the warmth in your laugh.
Thank you for being a part of our lives- sharing your love and laughter. Until we meet again, love you and miss you so much already.
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Meet our veterinarians
and our customer service specialists here.
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