Meet Our Team!
Meet the veterinarians and team at SmartVet! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!
Our Staff
We are so pleased that you are viewing our staff page. All of us at SmartVet feel we are a close-knit family, bonded together by longevity, affection, and compassion for animals. We are proud that many of us have been working at SmartVet since we opened our practice. This makes us unique in the most wonderful way possible.
Dr. Laura Peterson
Veterinarian
Dr. Laura Peterson graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois in 2010. After graduation, Dr. Peterson worked for a mixed animal practice in the St. Louis area. In 2015 she moved back to central Illinois to be closer to her family and joined SmartVet. She has a special interest in wellness and preventative care and loves seeing patients in their own homes. Dr. Peterson’s hobbies include travel, her family cattle farm, and anything outdoors!
Dr. Erin Adkins
Veterinarian
Dr. Erin Adkins graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California Davis in 2009. She went on to complete a 1 year internship at a veterinary hospital in San Francisco and since that time has practiced in emergency/specialty hospitals and general practices in Northern California and Australia. She joined SmartVet in 2019. Dr. Adkins has a special interest in internal medicine, ultrasound, and emergency medicine. Although she has enjoyed her travels, she is now happy to be settled down in Normal with her family.
Dr. Emily Tabor
Veterinarian
Dr. Emily Tabor graduated from the Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. She spent several years working in large animal medicine prior to turning her attention to small animal medicine. While Dr. Tabor loves all fluffy animals, she has a soft spot for felines, especially large ginger tabbies. Dr. Tabor’s interests outside of the clinic include sharing her love of cooking, playing board games, and traveling.
Dr. Steve Haase
Veterinarian
Dr Steve Haase joined SmartVet in April 2026 and is passionate about providing personalized, compassionate care. He graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. He grew up on a farm near Gilman, IL. He had his own practice in Pontiac, IL from 2005 till 2017 and continued working there until 2023. He also had a satellite clinic in Lexington from 2011 to 2015. Dr. Haase enjoys building strong relationships with clients and their pets, helping patients live longer, healthier lives, and working alongside his team to create a positive experience for everyone he serves. His hobbies include spending time with his kids, family, friends, and pets, as well as travel, hiking, and playing volleyball and tennis. He is also at home in East Frisia in Northern Germany, where he spends time with family and friends, going to concerts, cultural events, and scenic sights in Europe, in addition to visiting veterinary practices, and he is fluent in Low German and German.
Sarah
Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT)
Sarah loves veterinary dentistry! Sarah started in vet med in 2008, and her favorite thing about her job is building trust with fearful pets. She attended Parkland College’s Vet Tech program. She prides herself in taking a Fear Free approach to treating patients. She loves how far vet med has come in treating pet pain.
In her free time, she enjoys going on nature hikes with her husband and dogs, bike rides, and spending time with family and friends.
Bianca
Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT)
Bianca has been a veterinary assistant since 2019. She completed her Veterinary Technician degree at the end of 2023, and after passing the national exam, has earned her Certified Veterinary Technician license. She believes in Fear Free patient care. She worked in zoo medicine for 9 years and knows the value of cooperative care for all animals. Bianca shares her life with a Labrador named Whiskey and a cat named Newt. As you might have guessed, Bianca is a big fan of the Harry Potter franchise. In her free time, she enjoys playing pool, spending time with her pets, going to concerts and festivals, getting tattoos, and watching movies.
Anna
Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT)
Anna is one of our Veterinary Assistants. She’s been with SmartVet since 2024. She graduated from Parkland College in May 2024 with her Veterinary Technician degree. She loves providing the best possible care to all animals and guidance to pet owners. Everyone wants the best for their pets, and she takes pride in anything she can do to help achieve the goal of having a happy, healthy pet. In her free time, she loves spending time outdoors, hiking, and paddle boarding; she also enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Gabby
Veterinary Assistant
Gabby has been a veterinary assistant since 2007, with 10 years in emergency medicine. She participates in canine agility and modified bickering with her Beauceron, Zico. They share their life with two cats, Chevelle (spicy cat) and Skillet (one-brain-cell cat).
Rosalind
Veterinary Assistant
Rosalind joined SmartVet in January 2024. She loves watching her patients grow and helping them heal. Outside of work, she loves riding and showing horses.
Alyssa
Veterinary Assistant
Alyssa became a valued member of the SmartVet team in 2023 as a Veterinary Assistant. She began her journey in veterinary medicine while serving in the military, where she honed her skills and developed a passion for animal care. Her favorite part of being a veterinary assistant is calming nervous patients. Alyssa shares her life with 11 geckos, 5 tarantulas, 4 rats, 3 ferrets, and 2 snakes. She also breeds and sells isopods for reptile habitats.
Alicia
Veterinary Assistant
Alicia is a current student at Illinois State University. She prides herself on her passion for veterinary medicine, specifically veterinary nursing. Learning and gaining new experiences are her favorite parts of the job, aside from working with furry friends. She also enjoys seeing patients grow and receive care. In her free time, Alicia likes spending time with friends, going to the gym, or watching her favorite shows.
Cassidy
Veterinary Assistant
Cassidy takes pride in supporting the veterinary team so they can provide the best care possible. Whether it’s preparing equipment, assisting during procedures, or keeping the clinic organized, she enjoys making sure everything runs smoothly so the veterinarian can focus on the patient. In her free time, Cassidy enjoys spending time outdoors or with her loved ones. She likes hiking, fishing, swimming, and being with her friends, family, and animals, who bring her a lot of happiness.
Isabelle
Veterinary Assistant
Isabelle prides herself on creating a positive experience for both pets and their owners. She pays close attention to detail in all aspects of care and is always seeking to expand her knowledge and skills as she continues to grow in the veterinary field. Isabelle is dedicated to providing the best possible support to her team and patients. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, gardening, and solving Sudoku puzzles. She also loves taking her dog, Brutus, on new adventures around town.
Aaron
Client Service Representative
Aaron is one of our Client Service Representatives. He’s been with SmartVet since early 2023. He takes great pride in his communication skills, which are helpful in a multitude of situations, whether it be scheduling routine exams, discussing treatment plans and details, answering questions, or being empathetic when needed. He also prides himself on making sure the patient and client are at the forefront of his mind, always looking for ways to make their visit perfect. In his free time, he is a dad first and foremost; he loves spending time with his son exploring nature, taking photos, and traveling locally. Good food, fun times, family, and friends (furry ones included) are his keys to a happy life.
Alex
Client Service Representative
Alex is one of our Customer Service representatives. She’s been with SmartVet since 2019. She attended U of I and has a degree in Animal Sciences. Her favorite thing is helping senior pets live their best lives. Alex shares her life with a 19-year-old cat named Duff and a Shiba Inu mix named Dory.
Xiomara
Client Service Representative
Bio coming soon!