Dr. Charles Svoboda
Dr. Charles SvobodaDoctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Charles Svoboda grew up in Berwyn, IL and graduated from Morton West High School. Dr. Svoboda performed his undergraduate studies at University of Illinois-Chicago and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine in 1981. Dr. Charles practiced in Yorkville IL for 3 years prior to moving to the Harvard Veterinary Clinic. He purchased the Harvard Veterinary Clinic in 1986 and has practiced in Harvard since then. In 2021 as Dr Svoboda scaled back his workload in edging toward retirement he decided to tranfer his owership interest to Dr. Costello. He will continue to see patients for years to come but with the freedom to enjoy his many outdoor interests. Dr. Svoboda enjoys all aspects of small animal medicine and surgery as well. Dr. Charles spends his free time with his son Dillon in the pursuit of outdoor passions that include fishing and hunting. He also enjoys tending to his monster garden with his wife Camela at his home in Harvard.
Dr. Shawn M. Costello
Dr. Shawn M. CostelloDoctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Shawn Costello grew up in Woodstock, IL and graduated from Woodstock High School. Dr. Costello completed his undergraduate training at the University of Illinois College of Agriculture. He has been practicing veterinary medicine since he graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine at Urbana Champaign in 1986. Dr. Costello has been at the Harvard Veterinary Clinic since 1988 and as a partner since 1991. In 2021 Dr. Costello assumed full ownership of the Harvard Veterinary Clinic. Along with his duties at the Harvard Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Shawn also is co-owner of Hartland Veterinary Clinic in Woodstock, IL. Dr. Shawn loves both soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, and enjoys being able to work with animals every single day. When he is not working, he loves to run out in his pasture with his “Jack Russell terrorists” and spend time with his 14-year-old daughter, Catie. He also enjoys traveling, hiking in the wilderness, and photography.
Stacy Vincenzo
Stacy VincenzoVeterinary Assistant
Stacy was born and raised in Woodstock Il. She graduated from Woodstock High School and about a year later started working for the Harvard Veterinary Clinic. Stacy’s attitude is that every day is a new day in the veterinary field. On a daily basis her main focus is on the health and wellness of the animals. Whether it’s blood draws, x-rays, surgery prep and assisting surgery, she enjoys her work immensely. Stacy particularly enjoys her interactions with pet parents during daily appointments. Animals have always been her passion. Stacy and her husband, Dan, amazingly care for 8 dogs, a bird, 3 hedgehogs, 5 rats and 4 horses. She is very involved in various animal rescues and in her spare time enjoys hitting the trails with her horses and her friends. Animals are her life and she says she could not imagine doing anything different or working anywhere else!
Amy Peterson
Amy PetersonVeterinarian Assistant
Amy grew up in Woodstock, IL. She has worked in the veterinary field since high school and has been a part of the HVC team for over 7 years. Prior to that she held a position at Arlington Height Animal Hospital. Amy enjoys helping clients and their patients. She assists with X-Rays, blood draws, placing IV catheters, all surgeries and dental cleanings. She loves that her job is different every single day as it gives her something to look forward to. She has a son, Colton, who is 10. He keeps her busy with football and wrestling. When she is not working she enjoys doing anything and everything outside, the Cubs, the Bears and live music. They live in Hebron with their two dogs, Bryzzo and Walter.
Renee Pecoraro
Renee Pecoraro Receptionist, Veterinary Assistant
Renee grew up in Wauconda, IL and has been with Harvard Veterinary Clinic for the past 12 years. For the 7 years prior, she worked as a Veterinary Technician at Family Pet Care in Algonquin. Renee brings her passion, compassion and joy every day to each and every client and their pets. Renee has loved animals since she was a very young child and has always enjoyed caring for them. She and her husband, Jeff, have had horses, dogs, cats and snakes over the years. When not working at the veterinary clinic Renee enjoys walking and hiking with her two very lovable Pitbull Terriers and playing with her two adorable cats!
Nikki Pierce
Nikki PierceReceptionist, Veterinary Assistant
Nikki has worked for Harvard Veterinary Clinic since 2005. She was born and raised in Harvard. Nikki and her husband, Bryan, are raising their 4 children and 3 rescue dogs here in Harvard. Nikki is deeply involved in the Harvard community. Since 2017 she has volunteered at Harvard CUSD 50 at the junior high school. She has worked with the Fire Protection District since 2003, responding to local emergencies. She also volunteers for Harvard’s softball league, HERS, and Harvard Milk Days. Her hobbies include spending time with family, learning about medical procedures and treatments, vacationing and checking off the bucket list.
Connie Nicolai
Connie NicolaiReceptionist, Veterinary Assistant
Connie is originally from California and now lives in Marengo. She loves working with the animals at HVC. She has been able to use her past experience in dog training, electronic medical records and working with people at Harvard Veterinary Clinic. Connie has a busy household of three German Shepards, Sauren, Nanda and Ukko. She has also been very involved in the HIV/AIDS community for over 30 years and has participated in walks, rides and marathon training programs in Chicago and Dublin, Ireland.
Kath Bergin
Kath BerginReceptionist, Veterinary Assistant
Kathy grew up in Des Plaines, IL. She always had cats and dogs growing up and had a huge love and interest in them. After graduating from high school, Kathy worked for a local veterinary clinic where she realized that working with animals was her passion. Kathy and her husband, Dave, have two American Staffordshire Terriers, Diesel and Archie. They also have two cats Milo and Pike. Kathy is a foster for a pitbull rescue. She cannot imagine anything better that working every day with the various dogs, cats, and occasional guinea pig or hamster that visits the clinic.
Jodi Harrison
Jodi HarrisonReceptionist, Veterinary Assistant
Jodi is a lifetime resident of Harvard. Married for over 30 years, she has 3 grown children and a beautiful grandson. She retired from work at the Harvard school district several years ago. She immensely enjoyed working with the children, parents and staff. After retirement at Harvard schools, Jodi accepted a position at the Harvard Veterinary Clinic. Working with the doctors to service the needs of the animals has been an amazing experience for her. She enjoys learning new skills every day and helping the animals along the way. Jodi loves her work and looks forward to it every day.
Luna Rojas
Luna RojasReceptionist, Veterinary Assistant
Luna is one of the Spanish-speaking employees at the Harvard Vet Clinic. She has lived in Harvard her whole life and will be graduating Harvard High School and McHenry County College in 2023. She plans on continuing her education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, studying animal sciences. Aside from working at HVC, she participates in cheerleading and loves getting involved in the community. She owns two cats, Aries and Gemini.
Princess Morales
Princess MoralesReceptionist, Veterinary Assistant
Princess has lived in Woodstock her whole life and graduated from Woodstock High School. She is currently attending McHenry County College and is planning to transfer to Harper College and continue her studies in Dental Hygiene. Princess loves animals and has three Yorkies, Chica, Chico, and Gekko, who she loves and adores. Because of her love of animals, she enjoys her work at the clinic immensely.
¡También es Chicana y habla español entonces le daría mucho gusto ayudar a quien sea para proteger el bienestar de su amigo peludo!