Brian Siever, DVM
Veterinarian
After the loss of his dog when he was five years old, Brian Siever decided he wanted to become a veterinarian when he grew up. Dr. Siever earned his bachelor’s in animal science from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, where he met his wife, Cindy, who worked there as an ER and ICU veterinary technician. Dr. Siever began veterinary training at the Royal Veterinary College in London, England. He transferred to the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine where he graduated with a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1999. Dr. Siever moved to Galesburg, Illinois, and started his veterinary career at Knox Pet Clinic. He is a member of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Siever and Cindy were married on a beach in the Bahamas in 2000 and have 4 children, Rebecca, Alison, Griffin, Seth, and 2 grandchildren AJ and Maleah. The Siever family lives on a farm outside of Knoxville where they enjoy gardening and raising farm animals including chickens and ducks. The family also has two indoor cats, three barn cats, and four dogs including two Great Pyrenees who guard the barn animals.
In his free time, Dr. Siever enjoys bike riding, shooting sports, woodworking and wire bending. He is also a member of Community Bible Church in Knoxville.
Becca Schwieter, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Becca Schwieter joined Knox Pet Clinic’s growing team in June 2020. She is a familiar face at the clinic because she spent time shadowing some of our doctors. Dr. Schwieter received her associate degree in science from Carl Sandburg College followed by a bachelor’s degree with a major in biology and a minor in Spanish from Knox College. She completed her studies at Midwestern University receiving her doctorate in veterinary medicine in the spring of 2020.
She has three pets at home, Gingerpoodles, a 9-year-old domestic long hair cat, Sugar, a 27-year-old Paint horse, and Wheatie, a 6-month-old Paint horse. When she’s not working, Dr. Schwieter enjoys spending time with her horses, photography, and watching Netflix and Hulu.
Megan Blackwell, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Megan Blackwell joined our staff in August 2009. She grew up Lewistown, where she was a member of 4-H and FFA, and showed and judged livestock. She also participated in dog obedience competitions. She has bachelor’s degrees in animal sciences and in veterinary science, and a doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association.
She lives in Galesburg with her domestic shorthair cat, Mia. In her free time, Dr. Blackwell enjoys traveling, shopping, skiing and hiking.
Josephine Swanson, DVM
Veterinarian
A native of the Quad Cities, Dr. Swanson loved animals from a young age. She wanted to be a vet so she could help animals and their owners so they would receive the best possible care. Dr. Swanson received a bachelor’s in biology from Augustana College and completed her doctorate in veterinary medicine at the University of Illinois. She does basic health checks on exotics and pocket pets, and she finds the variety of animals she sees interesting.
Dr. Swanson enjoys spending time with huge extended family, a brother, and sister, a brother-in-law and a niece and nephew. She also enjoys watching movies and visiting historical sites. Dr. Swanson has a terrier mix, Wally, who is pictured with her here.
Jackie Derham, CVT
Receptionist
Jackie has been at Knox Pet Clinic since October 1988. She attended Knoxville High School and Carl Sandburg College before receiving veterinary technician certification from Parkland College. Jackie has a beautiful golden retriever named Shea. In her free time, Jackie enjoys reading, cross stitching, and lawn work.
Emily Hensley
Veterinary Assistant
Emily joined our team in August 2009 as a part-time receptionist and is now a veterinary assistant. She attended Carl Sandburg College and has an associate degree in science as well as a cosmetology license. Emily and her husband Adam have been married since 2009, and they have three children, Adam, Jr, Maverick, and Danika. Emily’s family also has three fur members, Jax (cat), Mocha (Labrador mix), and Mikey and Larry (Boxers). In her free time, Emily enjoys being outside and playing with her kids as well as writing and drawing.
Ventura Stinson
Housekeeping
Ventura has been on staff since March 2003 and is an important, yet often unseen, member of Knox Pet Clinic’s team. She performs many housekeeping tasks and maintains the yard and plants around the clinic. Ventura lives in Galesburg with her husband David. They have a daughter, Andrea, and a grandson, Hayez. They also have two Huskies (Roscoe, pictured here, and Bruno) and three domestic shorthair cats. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, yard work, and antique shopping. Ventura loves being around animals and helping.
Katie Ross
Groomer & Pet Care Assistant
Katie Ross has been a pet care assistant at Knox Pet Clinic since August 2015. Her responsibilities include morning kennels (feeding pets, cleaning kennels, and walking pets), grooming appointments (baths, shears, and nail trims), and working as a receptionist. Katie studied theater and music and human services at Carl Sandburg College. She graduated from Penn Foster’s pet grooming program in September 2018.
Katie lives with her husband, Aaron, and their five fur babies, Jasper (orange tomcat), Lily (Himalayan), Paisley (Corgi/Chihuahua mix), Theo (gray striped tomcat), and Archie (American Bulldog). In her free time, Katie enjoys watching movies, reading books, and spending time with her husband and pets. Katie’s favorite things are dancing and animals! A little fun fact, her name is Mary Kathryn but she goes by Katie.
Cindy Siever, CVT
Practice Manager
Cindy joined Knox Pet Clinic in June 1999, and she handles the business and fiscal part of the practice. She is a graduate of Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Missouri, where she received an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology degree. Cindy was working at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana as an ER and ICU vet tech when she met Dr. Siever who was there studying to become a veterinarian. Cindy and Dr. Siever have four children, Becca, Alison, Griffin, and Seth and two grandchildren AJ and Maleah. The Siever family lives on a farm outside of Knoxville, Illinois where they enjoy gardening and raising farm animals including chickens and ducks. The family also has two indoor cats, six barn cats, and six dogs including two Great Pyrenees who guard the barn animals. In her free time, Cindy enjoys reading, working out, and spending time with her family.
Logen Hendricks
Lead Veterinary Technician
Jenna Blair
Animal Care Assistant
Tanya Gough, CVT
Office/Inventory Manager
Glenda Merrill
Client Care Specialist
Glenda joined our team in July 2021. She attended IVCC to study lab sciences and later attended California Real Estate School to obtain her Realtor’s License. Glenda lives in Galesburg with her two dags, Jack, an 8-year-old miniature pinscher mix, and Norman, a 13-year-old bichon poodle mix. Glenda has three daughters, Melissa, Mindy, and Molly. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her nine grandchildren, and her 2 great-grandchildren. She also enjoys taking care of her two fur babies and her plants.
Brandie Donley
Administrative Assistant
Brandie joined our team in February 2021. She graduated from Abingdon High School and then attended Carl Sandburg College where she received her Associates in Applied Science. Brandie has a seven-year-old German Shepard named Willow. In her free time, she enjoys photography, quilting, crocheting, being outside, and hanging out with her friends.