Our Team

Dr. Kyle Schroeder

Veterinarian/Owner

Kyle grew up on a small farm in rural southwestern Wisconsin. His love and admiration for animals started at a very early age. He attended the University of Wisconsin, Platteville for his undergraduate degree in animal science. He was accepted into veterinary school at St Georges University in Grenada, West Indies where he received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. His clinical year was completed at the University of Missouri, Columbia. After graduation, he accepted an associate position at a 12 veterinarian mixed-animal practice in Alvarado, TX. After working there for 1.5 years, he accepted the resident veterinarian position at Richland Ranch/Auburn Veterinary Service in December 2011. In June 2017, Kyle and Kristi purchased Auburn Veterinary Service from the Narmonts. In 2021 Kyle became sole owner of Auburn Veterinary Service. Kyle’s professional interests include small animal dentistry, internal medicine and surgery.

Kyle and his wife Sarah have four kids (Calli, Lane, Lindsey and Natalie), three dogs-Clover, Soldier and Maple, and a cat named Sherman. He enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, trapping, hiking, camping, and woodworking.

Dr. Erin Blakemore

Associate Veterinarian

Dr. Erin Blakemore grew up in a rural setting western Illinois. Like many who end up in the veterinary profession, her love for animals and science was apparent at a young age.
After graduating from high school, she attended Western Illinois University for undergrad, where she met and married her husband, Bryan. After graduating with a degree with honors in Biology, she took a two year break from school to gain some experience working in a veterinary clinic. In 2004, she graduated from the University of Illinois with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
After graduation, Erin spent two years working at a small animal hospital in Oswego, Illinois. In 2006 she joined a small animal hospital in Springfield, IL where she worked as an associate veterinarian for over 15 years. After her children were born, she reduced her work hours to part time, in order to spend more time with her family. When she is not working, she home schools her three children. Erin and Bryan also share their home with their rescue dog, Optimus, and three cats, Dennis (the menace),Isabella, and Simon.

Chelsea Bublitz, CVPM​​​​​​​

Practice Manager

Chelsea grew up in Bethany, IL and was hired as a receptionist at Auburn Veterinary Service in January of 2009. Her main passion is horses, so she enjoys being involved in the activities at Richland Ranch as well as the small animal clinic. In 2008 she graduated from Black Hawk College with a degree in Equine Science and Horse Science Technology. She then had an internship at Richland Ranch which led to her current position at AVS. Chelsea became a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager in 2021.

Chelsea is married to Dan and they have a daughter June and have 4 pets: Sydney (Australian Cattle Dog), Lambeau (Lab Mix), Matilda (Feline), and Manny (Feline).

Ashley Lineback, CVT​​​​​​​

Veterinary Technician

Ashley grew up in Gillespie, IL and graduated High School in 2011. Shortly after, she attended the Vet Tech Institute at Hickey College in St. Louis, where she received her degree in December of 2012. Ashley started working at AVS in February 2013. She then took the VTNE in March and became a Certified Veterinary Technician. She has three pets at home: Don (cat), Myrtle (cat), and Poe (Miniature American Shepherd).

Tashina Vargas

Veterinary Technician

Tashina moved here with her Husband (Allen) and Kids (Travis and Ashley) from Colorado Springs in 2017. She joined the practice over a year ago. Besides her human children, she also has 6 fur babies. 4 dogs -- Beans, Perry, Max and Sophia and 3 cats -- Jeffrey, Stanely and Theia. In her down time, she loves to snuggle with her fur kids, (the human ones stopped snuggling awhile back), watch movies and relax.

Jessika Besserman, CVT

Veterinary Technician

Jessika is from a military family that moved around a lot, but she grew up primarily in Gillespie where she graduated high school in 2011. Jessika graduated from Cedar Valley with her associates in veterinary technlology and passed her VTNE in 2022. Jessika has two kids, Ben & Mackenna. She also has a Saint Bernard named Randa, a lab named Otis a Golden Retriever named Mirabel & cats Minnie and Milo. Outside of AVS Jessika also works at her parents’ bowling alley in Gillespie. In the little free time she has, she enjoys spending time with her kids and relaxing at home.

Justice Tellor

Veterinary Assistant

Justice grew up in Taylorville, IL and graduated high school in 2020. She plans on starting school soon to become a veterinary technician. Her love for animals started as a young child and it has never changed. Justice also enjoys shopping and camping with her family and friends. She has 3 dogs (Jack, Duke, and Dutchess) and 1 cat named Murphy.

Sarah Porter

Receptionist/Veterinary Assistant

Sarah was born in Florida but grew up in Springfield, IL. She received Veterinary Assistant Certificate in 2015 from LLCC. She has always wanted to work in the veterinary field and is in the process of getting back into school to become a Certified Veterinary Technician. Sarah has 2 cats, Alice and Rubi and a dog, Marley. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Donny and the rest of the family in Springfield. She loves to travel which is mostly to Kentucky to spend time with family there. If you ever need to find her, she is most likely cuddled up at home with her fur babies.

Jeanine Garner

Lead Receptionist/Inventory Manager

Jeanine grew up in Taylorville, IL. She attended LLCC and has worked in various veterinary clinics since 1984. She started at AVS in June 2015 after Dr. Kyle performed eye surgery on her horse. In her off time, she likes to attend dog shows and dock jumping with her dogs, Kimber and Sig. Other interests include deer hunting, target shooting, fishing, and studying her family genealogy. Jeanine is married to Daryl and they only have 4-legged children. Their pets include 2 dogs (Kimber and Sig), 3 cats (Purby, Clyde, Nadia), 3 horses (Reba, Neeka, and Aprapahoe), 2 Crested Gecko (Hooch, Stubs), and some Angel fish.

Ashley Miller

Receptionist

Ashley grew up in Auburn, IL and graduated in 2017. She started at AVS January 2021, she has two dogs, Darla and Lulu. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, and going on adventures with her fur babies. Ashley has been a great addition to our team and we can’t wait for her to continue her career with us.

Ringo

​​​​​​​Ringo has been with us since 2012. He gets to roam the clinic during the day and socialize with everyone. He loves greeting clients and their pets at the door. He has been a great addition and he always makes us laugh!

Update: Ringo has gone to live with one of our employees' grandmother. Ringo loves his new life there and is very spoiled. He still comes by every once in a while to visit but he prefers not to!