Get to know our Veterinary team
Our Veterinarians
Dr. J. Craig Smith
Dr. J. Craig Smith is the Practice Owner and Senior Veterinarian at Pet Wellness & Urgent Care Center. Dr. Smith graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science. He received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Louisiana State University.
Dr. Kristine Kozak
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Kristine Kozak is originally from Homer Glen, IL, a southwest suburb of Chicago. She received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois in May of 2018. She enjoys working with all animals: dogs, cats, cattle, goats, horses, sheep, and pigs, especially when she gets to visit them on farm calls. When not working, Dr. Kozak relaxes by gardening and going to the movies with her husband, Peter. She also likes to take long walks with her rough-coated collies named Dex and Sunshine.
Dr. Richard Ashe
Small Animal DVM
Growing up in Southern Illinois, Dr. Ashe developed a kindred bond with its wonderfully diverse natural resources. With parental influence, accountability was developed at an early age towards not only nature and our native species of plants and animals but also our domesticated ones, from pets to farm animals, large and small.
After graduating from Marion Senior High, he was off to the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana for eight years, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture first, and then four years later, in 1981, a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine with Honors.
Veterinary medical and surgical experience was gained from an early age from summer jobs and internships during high school and college, then after graduation several general practices in Kentucky and Oklahoma. He also enjoyed working on Avian and Exotic species in a specialized practice in addition to emergency medicine in an after-hours hospital in Kansas, Dr. Ashe has done relief/consulting work and surgery for a local animal rescue facility.
Dr. Ashe appreciates living and working in Southern Illinois, finding time for outdoor activities and hobbies like fishing and boating and spending time with family and friends, not to mention helping people and their critters. Traveling to Africa with Marion Medical Mission for three weeks in the fall each year to install water wells is extremely fulfilling and rewarding.
Dr. Ashe likes not only the medicine and patients but also the staff and clients. “It is truly a blessing to be able to go to work and all the while doing what one thoroughly loves.”
Our Administration
Jacob Elias
Veterinary Rehabilitation Therapist
Jacob has worked at multiple clinics throughout his life before coming to us. He has went to John A Logan to get his Associate’s degree in science and SIU to get his Bachelor’s degree in Science.
Angela Millner
Inventory Manager/Pharmacy
Angela joined the Pet Wellness & Urgent Care Center team in August of 2016, bringing over three years of veterinary office experience with her. Her passion for animals and providing exceptional customer service led her to the veterinary field. Angela resides in Ava, Illinois, and enjoys spending time with her two children, Blake and Cassie, and their beautiful Yorkie, Sophie.