SportsVet Animal Medical Center

09/22/2025

Our featured veterinarian is Dr. Hayley Cooper who joined SportsVet Animal Medical Center in January 2025.
Dr. Cooper is from Salem, Illinois and obtained both her bachelor’s and master’s degree at the University of Illinois. Dr. Cooper went on to receive her DVM from the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2022. Her areas of interest include preventative health and surgery.

We asked Dr Cooper a few questions and here is what she had to say!

Q: What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?
A: Graduating from veterinary school!!!!!!

Q: What excites you most about veterinary medicine?
A: Having a great client/patient relationship and watching your patients grow over the years.
Solving, treating and managing the challenging cases.
Performing Surgeries!
New and emerging technologies in the veterinary industry.
Always learning new skills, medications, etc.

Q: What is your favorite comfort food?
A: Food - Italian.
Dessert - fresh/warm cookies or brownies

Q: What music do you listen to during surgery/procedures?
A: Country music or 2000s Hits

Q: What is your best piece of advice for new or existing pet owners?
A: Have a great working relationship with your veterinarian.
Preventative medicine is the key! Heartworm/Flea/Tick prevention is a must!!
Consider looking into pet insurance while your cat/dog(s) are young - this can help you in the long run
SOCIALIZE and TRAIN your puppy at an early age 🙂

Q: What are 3 things people may be surprised to know about you?
A: Farm girl at heart - love working with cattle and riding horses
Interned at the 6666 Ranch in Texas while in undergraduate (before the show Yellowstone was a big deal). I trained quarter horse yearlings and did a large amount of equine reproduction.
In high school for my senior project I trained my horse, Joker, to search and rescue people - he was able to find my dad in the wood up to a ½ mile radius.

Q: Do you have a favorite animal movie? Why is it your favorite?
A: Spirit - love the storyline and I am a big horse lover

09/16/2025

Pets feel pain just like we do- but they rely on us to notice. Learn the signs, take action, and help them live happier, healthier lives. 🐾

09/08/2025

Dr. Erik Nuss who joined SportsVet Animal Medical Center in July 2019.

Dr. Nuss graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2017. Dr. Nuss also obtained his undergraduate degree from the University if Illinois.
His favorite thing about being a veterinarian is the opportunity to help animals during all stages of life. He also enjoys performing surgeries.
Dr. Nuss has a yellow Lab named Duchess, he adopted her when in vet school. She came in as a rescue / stray and was spayed at the veterinary school as a ‘junior surgery’ dog.

We asked Dr. Nuss a few questions and here is what he had to say!

Q: What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?
A: Getting married to my lovely wife.

Q: What excites you most about veterinary medicine?
A: I love the development of relationships that comes with being a general practitioner in veterinary medicine. Not only do I enjoy getting to know my patients but I also enjoy getting to develop relationships with my clients.

Q: What is your favorite comfort food?
A: For long and exhausting days, I find that there's not a better comfort food than sitting down and ordering or heating up a pizza.

Q: What music do you listen to during surgery/procedures?
A: I listen to a combination of different styles of music dependent on the mood that day. Often times it will be country music but occasionally Jack Johnson radio will be the choice if I'm in a more relaxed/calm mood.

Q: What is your best piece of advice for new or existing pet owners?
A: 1. Do NOT let your pet eat things around the house that they aren't supposed to! We don't want to take your pet to surgery for removal of an object any more than you do!
2. While this is still relatively new, pet insurance is becoming more and more of a recommended thing for owners. I certainly advise if finances are a concern to look into trying to find a plan that works best for you and your family.

Q: What are 3 things people may be surprised to know about you?
A: 1. I have hit a hole in one
2. I was a member of the Marching Illini and University of Illinois Basketball Band
3. Despite being born and raised, having gone to school in and still currently living in Central Illinois, I do love to travel.

Q: Do you have a favorite animal movie? Why is it your favorite?
A: Marley and Me. It is my favorite because it perfectly describes the full experience of having a pet. While young, they are frustratingly energetic and when old we have to make the very difficult decision. However, at the very end, we still wouldn't trade a single one of those moments with them as they mean so much to us.

08/30/2025

🍉 Our 🍉 daycare 🍉is🍉 "One🍉in🍉a🍉melon🍉"

08/28/2025

Hot dogs, cold drinks, and… your dog eating a corn cob?! 😅😳

Avoid a Labor Day mishap by following these guidelines:

For more pet safety tips & helpful suggestions, click here: https://bit.ly/4laUjMs

🐶🥰🐱🐾

08/25/2025

Meet Dr. Sarah Turek!

Dr. Turek joined the SportsVet team in February 2018! After graduating valedictorian from Triad High School in central Illinois, Dr. Turek moved to the Champaign area to begin her education in Animal Sciences.
She was very active in, the Professional Agricultural Sorority, Sigma Alpha. She obtained her Bachelor of Science and Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine both from the University of Illinois.
Dr. Turek began her veterinary career at a small animal practice in Mendota, Il. There she immersed herself in learning about medicine, ultrasound and on-call services.

We asked Dr. Turek a few questions and here is what she had to say!

Q: What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?
A: Getting through HS, Undergrad and Vet School to graduate with my DVM.

Q: What excites you most about veterinary medicine?
A: I truly love the client/patient/vet bond and enhancing that through the care we provide.

Q: What is your favorite comfort food?
A: KRAFT Mac and cheese

Q: What music do you listen to during surgery/procedures?
A: Showtunes when I'm allowed

Q: What is your best piece of advice for new or existing pet owners?
A: Get pet insurance

Q: What are 3 things people may be surprised to know about you?
A: 1) I have traveled to almost as many countries as states in the US
2) I have played piano since the age of 7
3) I have broken 3 bones and have had to wear an eye patch

Q: Do you have a favorite animal movie? Why is it your favorite?
A: The Horse Whisperer, I loved horses growing up and appreciated how it showed that patience and perseverance can pay off.

08/22/2025

Because your cat deserves purr-fect health—don’t forget, it’s Take Your Cat to the Vet Day!

Call now to schedule! (217)355-1442
🐾🩺

08/08/2025

First doctor visit for these adorable littermates! 🐾
Barely (left) and Hardley (right)

Double the fluff, double the love, and double the healthy starts! 💉🐶🐶

07/30/2025

🐾 Got a pet question that’s not an emergency? We’re all ears! 🐶🐱

Leave your questions in the comments! ⬇️⬇️

Whether it’s quirky behavior, nutrition tips, or general care advice — our docs are happy to help! Drop your non-emergency questions below and we might feature the answer in a future post! 💬✨

07/30/2025

Call us for details! Or schedule ONLINE!!
sportsvetamc.com

The experienced veterinarians at Sports Vet Animal Medical Center are here for you. Book an appointment with our compassionate team today.

07/21/2025

Occasionally you’ll find our staff out and about in something besides scrubs. Our very own Dr. Cooper tied the knot this weekend 👰 🤵‍♂️ Please join us in wishing she and her new husband all the best in a long and happy marriage! 🥂 🎉