Skinner Animal Clinic is a modern, full-service facility capable of handling anything from wellness exams and diagnostics to emergency cases and surgical procedures. While we are highly trained to treat a wide-range of conditions, we emphasize preventative care. It is more favorable to manage health as opposed to treating pre-existing conditions. For this reason, we aim to educate our clients so preventative care can be practiced at home.
Aside from providing top-quality veterinary services, we strive to create a welcoming and comfortable environment. We want your four-legged family member to feel safe and at home at our clinic! If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us.
In June of 1951, Dwight Veterinary Clinic opened its doors under the ownership of Dr. Robert K. Gay. At this time, the practice was predominately related to livestock. However, with the change in agricultural practices during the late 1950’s, Dr. Gay’s practice gradually shifted to treating companion animals.
In 1975, Dr. Gay opened Pine Bluff Animal Hospital and expanded his practice to six veterinarians. At this time, the practice was 60% small animal and 40% large animal. An L.L.C. was formed in 1999 with Dr. Gay, Dr. Louis Cronin (Kansas State, 1975), Dr. Larry Johnson (Missouri, 1976), Dr. Brian Schmidt (Illinois, 1982), and Dr. R. Todd Gay (Illinois, 1983). With the addition of six new veterinarians, the practice now solely focused on small animal care.
To better serve the pets and pet owners of Morris, Illinois, Lakewood Animal Hospital opened its doors in 1992. In 2011, the practice added its fourth clinic, Skinner Animal Clinic, to serve the Wilmington, Illinois area. All four locations are full-service hospitals offering general medicine, surgical procedures, dentistry, nutritional and behavioral counseling, and emergency services. Pine Bluff Animal Hospital is our referral center, performing orthopedic and soft-tissue surgeries for our patients, as well as other clinics in the area.
It is our greatest pleasure to serve our clients and care for their special companions! We welcome you to come in, meet our highly trained staff and tour of our facilities! If you cannot visit, you can learn more about our dedicated staff and state-of-the-art facilities on our associated clinics websites.
Michael "Doc" Warren Skinner earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in 1978. Dr. Skinner began working alongside his father in Joliet before starting his own practice in Wilmington. In 1995, he opened Skinner Animal Clinic at our current location on Water Street.
Dr. Skinner discovered he had cancer in June 2010. He underwent treatment, but unfortunately his cancer proved incurable. Dr. Skinner wanted to make sure his employees and all of the wonderful clients and pets at Skinner Animal Clinic were well cared for after he passed away, so he made an agreement with the owners of Dwight Veterinary Clinic, Pine Bluff Animal Hospital and Lakewood Animal Hospital to add Skinner Animal Clinic to their group of veterinary hospitals in October 2011. Dr. Skinner lost his battle with lung cancer shortly thereafter in May 2012. "Doc" will be remembered for his famous quote: "My charge to you is to have a good day."
While we miss Dr. Skinner, we strive to carry on in his name, and continue to provide veterinary care for our beloved patients.
Located on S Water St, just off of E Kahler Rd. Just under 5 minutes from Wilmington High School and Forked Creek Preserve - Forsythe Woods.
Phone: 815-476-9500
