Animal Medical Centers

Dr. Gene Hjelm

I grew up on a livestock and grain farm in rural Clay County, graduated from Clay Central High School in 1969 and began college at Iowa State University. After graduation from veterinary school at ISU in 1975, I joined a mixed large and small animal practice in Forest City, Iowa. After eight years at Forest City, I had the opportunity to return to this area and join the doctors at Hartley Veterinary Clinic where I have been ever since. In 1997, the clinics in Spencer and Hartley were merged to create Animal Medical Centers. June 2010 will mark the 35th year that I have been serving the public and their animals as a practicing veterinarian.

My main clinical work for AMC has been large animal duties with some extra emphasis on swine and a special interest in equine reproduction. I am a member of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, the Northwest Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, and the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

I live on a farm north of Hartley where my wife Shelly continues her family’s heritage of raising horses. One son, Simon, lives with his wife and two sons in Omaha and works for Union Pacific. The rest of our immediate families are all in NW Iowa so family activities are a big part of their lives. Other activities and hobbies include sports, travel, church, and working around the house and farm at home.

Dr. Jerry Finch

I grew up around Britt, Iowa, and graduated from Iowa State University with a BS in Animal Science in 1985 and a DVM in 1989. I have participated in mixed animal practice in Hartley for the 20 years since.

My areas of emphasis are feedlot cattle and cow-calf medicine. I am a member of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, the Northwest Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, the Academy of Veterinary Consultants, and the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association.

My wife Sheila and I live in Hartley and have four sons, John, Mike, Jim, and Matt. For hobbies I enjoy fishing, hunting, and attending our sons’ athletic events.

Dr. Jeremy Stuart

I was born and raised in Nebraska City, Nebraska. I attended Nebraska Wesleyan University and earned a B.S. in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology in 2002 and earned my D.V.M. from Kansas State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. In June 2006 I moved to Hartley and began practice as a mixed animal veterinarian with Animal Medical Centers, P.C.

My work involves providing veterinary service for large and companion animals. The joy of the veterinary profession is that I have the opportunity work with any and all species in any one day. My large animal work is focused on food animal medicine and surgery, primarily swine, but also feedlot cattle and cow-calf production. On the companion animal side my area of focus is canine and feline medicine and surgery. My professional emphasis and interests include swine health and production, canine theriogenology, and small animal surgery. I am a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Iowa Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA), and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV). I am currently licensed to practice in Iowa and Kansas.

I live on an acreage northwest of Hartley with my German Shorthaired Pointer, Tuco. We enjoy hunting and spending time outside. In my free time I also enjoy cooking, gardening, snow skiing, running, and working out. I recently bought an acoustic guitar and I am attempting to learn how to play. I enjoy sports and I am an avid fan of the Kansas State Wildcats.

Kay Sholly

I have been employed at Animal Medical Centers in Hartley since 1982. My husband David and I live in Hartley. We have 2 daughters – Courtney is a cosmetologist and lives in Ankeny and Danielle is a freshman at USD in Vermillion. We also have 2 black labs – Emma and Jade and cats – Snickers and Albie who are very much a part of our family as well!

Jennifer Peterson

I started working at Animal Medical Centers in January 2009. I live in Hartley with my son, Austin, who is a sophomore at HMS High School. We have two cats, Byron and Nancy.

Emily Allmon

I started working at the Hartley clinic in January 2011 as a veterinary technician. I’m originally from Woden, Iowa and moved to the area to attend Iowa Lakes Community College where I got my Associate’s Degree and was certified in Limited Radiology. Currently, I live in Royal with my husband Jim, my son Case and our dog Max. I have always been a horse lover and board my Arabian gelding, Ike nearby. In my spare time I also enjoy painting and have recently started organic gardening.

Megan Gable

I grew up on a farm outside of Paullina. I have always loved animals and working at a veterinary clinic has always interested me. I currently live on a farm south of Hartley with my husband Colton and calico cat “Izzy.” We raise purebred Simmental cattle that we show and we enjoy spending time working with them. My other hobbies include spending time with family, cooking, boating, and traveling.

Dr. Mark Rees

I grew up on a farm near Columbus Junction, Iowa. After graduating from Iowa State University in 1988 with a BS and 1995 with a DVM, I first practiced in a mixed animal clinic in Walcott, Iowa near the Quad Cities. I have been in Spencer since January 1997 when the former Clay County Veterinary Clinic merged with the Hartley Veterinary Clinic to form Animal Medical Centers.

In daily practice I enjoy a lot of variety, focusing on medicine and surgery for all species, and I do some orthopedic procedures on pets. I am a member of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners.

My wife Wendy and I live just south of Spencer with our boys Levi, 8, and Devon, 4. Also in the house is Gibbet our dog, Mo & Ethel our two cats, and Colonel our horse is in the pasture. In my spare time I enjoy playing with our boys, hunting, church activities, and traveling to visit family.

Dr. Jeremy Bedford

I graduated from Iowa State University with a BS in 1996 and a DVM in 2001and have been employed at Animal Medical Centers in Spencer ever since. I hold licenses in both Iowa and Minnesota, and am a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, and the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association.

I am involved in mixed general practice. Special interests are swine and bovine production medicine, equine reproduction, dentistry and podiatry. Hobbies are investing in stocks and farming with my dad. I am an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins and all Iowa State University athletics. I was born and raised in Sherburn, Minnesota.

Dr. Wendy Rees

I grew up in Paullina, Iowa. I attended the University of Northern Iowa, graduated from Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. I worked in a companion animal practice in Davenport, Iowa for 2 ½ years before moving to Spencer in 1997.

I work with the companion animal part of our practice, medicine and surgery. I am a member of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association.

My husband Mark and I live just south of Spencer with our boys Levi, 8, and Devon, 4. Also in the house is Gibbet our dog, Mo & Ethel our two cats, and Colonel our horse is in the pasture. In my spare time I enjoy baking, scrapbooking, bodybuilding and fitness activities.

Dr. Janessa Mechler

I joined Animal Medical Centers in June of 2009. My husband and I are Spencer natives and excited to be back in the community. I graduated from Iowa State in 2005 with a degree in Animal Science and in 2009 with my D.V.M. degree. My interests include both companion and food animals, especially nutrition and preventative medicine. I am a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Iowa Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) and American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). During my time away from the clinic I enjoy scrapbooking, baking, and spending time with family and friends. My husband and I also enjoy spending time with our two Golden Retrievers, Cyan and Sabin and two cats, Rosa and Relm – they are a constant source of entertainment.

Ronda Sherbon

I have been employed as a veterinary assistant at Animal Medical Centers for many years. I look forward to working with you and your pet.

Tammy Miller

I have been employed at Animal Medical Centers in Spencer since the fall of 2005. I live on an acreage close to Spencer with my husband Mark. We have two children and they are both in college. Tara just began her first year of Veterinary School at Iowa State University and Jordan is attending University of Northern Iowa majoring in business. We are definitely an animal orientated family as we have always had pets in our household. We have had as many as three dogs (German Shorthairs and English Springer Spaniels) living in the house with us. We have had as many as four horses but with the children gone we have down sized and now have two. Jetty, my daughter’s horse was shown in 4H and Pinto horse shows and is now enjoying retirement. Our other horse, Rocky, was also shown in Pinto shows by both Tara and myself and he is also enjoying full retirement. Our most recent addition to our family is a cat named Kinsley and he is quite a character who tries to make sure he is the center of attention.

Beth Johnson

I am originally from Montrose, Iowa. I worked for a Veterinary clinic in Keokuk, Iowa for 15 years. I moved to the Spencer area in 2006. I have been employed at Animal Medical Centers in Spencer since November 2007. I have one son-Tyler (17). My hobbies are Breeding and showing Quarter Horses. I have bred, raised and trained one International Buckskin Horse Association World Show top ten, and one American Quarter Horse Finalist. I own a 5-year-old Quarter Horse stallion and two mares as of now, along with my American Staffordshire Terrior- Remy, and my two cats Buddy and Spaz.

Brenda Reis

I have been employed at Animal Medical Centers in Spencer since May 2008 as reception staff. If the name sounds familiar that would also be true I did work at the Hartley Clinic for 7 years. I live just outside Hartley on an acreage with my husband Mike, son Blake (who is a college student), and daughter Marissa who attends HMS as an 8th grader. My hobbies or interests are my pets and family. We have 8 horses that we show, we also have Shivers our family dog, Sophie our indoor cat, and plenty of outdoor kitties to keep Shivers and the horses company.