Meet Our Team
Dr. Becky Polage-Dwyer
Owner/Veterinarian
Dr. Becky grew up on a grain farm outside of Bishop Hill, Illinois. She is a 2005 graduate of the University of Illinois Veterinary Medical College and focused her studies on general small and large animal veterinary medicine. She also has a minor interest in exotic animal medicine. Dr. Becky and her husband live on a small farmette with horses, cats, and a dog. Dr. Becky enjoys trail riding, gardening, and lounging around with her pets in her free time.
Dr. Stacia Belda-Cardinal
Owner/Veterinarian
Dr. Stacia grew up in Michigan. Â She attended Michigan State University for her undergraduate studies as well as to attend their college of Veterinary Medicine. Â She graduate veterinary school in 2010. She focused her studies on swine production medicine, dairy/beef cattle herd health and small animal general medicine. Â Dr. Stacia and her husband live outside of Orion with their two children, two dogs Zeke and Trigger, five cats Boba Fett, Colby Jack, Calvin, Spice and Poncho and pet pig Libby. Â Dr. Stacia enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, hunting, fishing and cooking in her free time.
Dr. Caitlyn Ramaeker
Veterinarian
Dr. Caitlyn grew up in Cascade, Iowa. She attended Iowa State University for both undergraduate studies and vet school and graduated from ISU's College of Veterinary Medicine in 2016. Following graduation, Dr. Caitlyn spent a year in Stillwater, Minnesota completing an equine internship where she further developed her veterinary skills and love of horses. Dr. Caitlyn loves working with the variety of animals we see at a mixed animal clinic, but especially loves to focus on all aspects of equine veterinary care from routine wellness visits to more specialized sports medicine cases. She lives near Milan with her husband, Todd, and a chocolate lab named Winston. When she isn't working, she loves to do anything outdoors, cheer on the Cyclones, and spend time with family.
Braley McMeekan
Certified Veterinary Technician
Braley is one of our certified veterinary technicians. Â Braley completed schooling at Muscatine Community College. Â Braley enjoys working on large and small animals. In her free time, Braley enjoys spending time with her family, friends, dog Skidder and guinea pigs Hodges, Finnick, Leopold and Mr. Woolington.
Erika Ott
Certified Veterinary Technician
Erika is one of our Certified Veterinary Technicians.  Erika attended Muscatine Community College and graduated in 2017.  Erika enjoys working with both small and large animals, exotics and pocket pets. Outside of work, Erika likes to spend time with her fiance, her family, her dogs Maggie and Milo, her cats Swagger and Olive Oil and guinea pig Jojo and rabbit Coco.
Samantha Sheldon
Veterinary Technician
Sam completed the veterinary assistant course at Blackhawk college. Sam is currently working to become a certified veterinary technician. She joined the Orion Veterinary Clinic in 2015. Sam enjoys working with large and small animals. Sam also enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters, Adalynn and Kinsley. They have two dogs Tucker and Mac and five cats, Ralph, Wak, Whip, Flynn Rider and Gimp.
Shannon Beasley
Veterinary Technician
Shannon is currently enrolled at Muscatine Community College in the veterinary technician program.  Shannon joined the Orion Veterinary Clinic in 2018. Shannon lives in Andalusia and enjoys spending time with her Newfoundland Vanquish and her horse Buddy. She also enjoys hunting and being outdoors in her free time.
Angelique Gilbert
Veterinary Technician
Angelique joined the Orion Veterinary Clinic in 2017. Â She previously worked at another clinic as a veterinary assistant for four years. Â Angelique lives with her husband, Brandon, and their three cats Dink, Douglas and Chester. She enjoys reading and writing in her free time.
Kelly Kulhavy
Client Communication Specialist
Kelly joined the Orion Veterinary Clinic in 2011 and is one of our client communication specialists.  She completed the Veterinary Assistant Program through Blackhawk College and is currently working toward Pharmacy Technician Certification..  Kelly enjoys knitting in her free time and spending time with her daughter, Harper, her dog, Milenko, and two cats, Chips and Salsa.
Charlene Loding
Client Communication Specialist
Charlene is a client communication specialist at the Orion Veterinary Clinic. Charlene and her husband live on a farm outside of Orion. They raised dairy cattle for 20 years. Charlene was a registered nurse for 42 years and practiced in the Genesis health system. In her free time, Charlene enjoys cooking, showing her German Shepherd dogs and seeing her grandson.
Hef
Clinic Supervisor
Hef is our clinic cat and is most likely to be found begging for treats, supervising appointments, and helping recover surgery patients.
