Veterinarians in Peotone, IL

Growing up, I didn't think too much of Doc Nadler. He was a large animal vet and I preferred small animals. That changed when I was in my late teens. A young man I was riding with hit a cat on Route 50, just down the road from the animal hospital. There were lights on inside and I pounded on the door in a panic. Doc Nadler answered and told me they were closed, that I would have to call the office's phone number and get a hold of the vet on call. Then he saw the bloody mess of a cat I had wrapped in my winter coat. He took us in and cleaned up the cat. He told me she had a head wound and it didn't look good. He also pointed out to me that she was a nursing mother, which did not help my sense of guilt. He gave her a shot, I don't remember of what. She was awake but didn't seem to be in a lot of pain. He told me he would watch her overnight, and that if she survived the night, she would be fine. We left. The next morning I called the office to ask about her. They said there was no cat like that there. It destroyed me. I cried for days. Months later, while out and about, I ran into Doc Nadler. I thanked him for trying to save the mother cat and told him how sorry I was that she didn't make it. He told me that she HAD survived, that she was stable by morning, and he released her near where we had hit her so she could return to her kittens. I asked him why the office didn't know anything about it. He told me he released her before the office opened and hadn't mentioned it so that I wouldn't be billed for helping a cat that wasn't my own. I gained a new respect for him that day and I learned that you should not judge people by their demeanor, you should judge them by their actions. Thanks again, Doc Nadler, from the mess of a teenage girl, crying like a baby, holding a wounded cat bundled in her coat.

I lived in Peotone for the better part of my life...probably at least 40 years. Dr Nadler was just the sweetest guy. I remember I had only been working for them a couple of days when he brought me a giant pottery mug that he had asked someone to make for me. It had my name on the side and everyone at the animal hospital had a one of these big coffee mugs. He made me feel like part of the group from the beginning. I can see him in my memory in his grey coveralls standing in the medication area talking with Gerry Sands. He was a good man, he mentored many a young veterinarian from U of I, he was a good business man and a friendly face in the community. I can't imagine the countless number of animals he cared for over his years as a veterinarian.

Let me know when you have it published. I would love to read it. There are others on Facebook you could contact. Patty Sands Heron and her sister Peggy Sands Horn are both daughters of one of Jim's partners, the late Gerry Sands. Tamara Piper is also on FB and she worked for Jim at the animal hospital as well.

Thanks, Chris! This is supposed to be in next Thursday's paper, so you can look for it online. I tried to reach Patty Sands Heron and Peggy on Facebook. Could not find them on Facebook. One is on Spokeo, which wants me to pay to get in touch with her. Sorry, no way! But if you know them and know how to reach them, please feel free to forward my email and request. And Teri, thank you for telling your mom. I will watch for a message from her. Thanks again, everybody! You have been really helpful!

Dr. Patrick Rodawold is awesome. Very friendly staff and he explains EVERYTHING.

I second Dr. Rodawold!

Dr Rodawold!

Dr Rodawald!!!

Dr Dan McKay Beecher il

Dr. Rodawold is out of Momence FYI.

Allison Fedash she's awesome!

Dan McKay in Beecher

Thank you all~ any idea about their farm trip charges? I know Peotone Hospital is $65, and just want to know what the other options.:)