About Us
Our Mission
Confident pet care beyond the exam room starts here.
When pet owners leave their veterinarian’s office, questions linger. How do I give this medication? What should I watch for at home? Will my senior pet be comfortable?
The Client Learning and Lending Center (CLLC) was created to answer those questions. The idea took shape during a visit to the simulation center at Boston Children’s Hospital, where families learn hands-on skills to care for their loved ones with comfort and confidence once they return home. Seeing how much that support meant to patients and caregivers, our team recognized that pet owners deserve the same. In May 2025, the CLLC welcomed its first group of pet owners, and the program has been growing ever since.
Today, we provide hands-on training, supportive resources, and practical guidance so pet owners can care for their pets with confidence and ease. We also invest in the next generation of veterinarians, teaching them that exceptional medicine is built on strong communication and genuine partnership with clients.
The CLLC is made possible in large part by the generosity of an anonymous donor whose devotion to their own pets embodies the human-animal bond at the heart of our work. Their gift, along with the support of donors like you, reflects a shared belief that every pet owner deserves support, and every pet deserves a confident caregiver at home.
Meet Our Team
Dr. Amy Nichelason, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline)
Founder & Director
Dr. Nichelason grew up in New Mexico before heading to UC Davis for veterinary school. She completed an internship at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey and spent several years in small animal general practice. She’s now a Clinical Associate Professor in Primary Care at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine, where she founded the CLLC to help pet owners feel confident caring for their animals at home. Her favorite part of the CLLC is seeing owners go from nervous to empowered, whether that’s mastering insulin injections or finding a medication routine that actually works for their household, and knowing it strengthens the bond between pets and their people. Outside the CLLC, Dr. Nichelason loves spending time with her family, her dogs Edgar and Vanilla Bean, and her cat Aggie. She’s also an avid birdwatcher, even if that sometimes just means hanging out with her two backyard chickens, and she remains a lifelong fan of all things green chile.
Katie Reiman, BS
Outreach Program Coordinator
Katie grew up in Kenosha, WI and moved to Madison in 2017. After graduating with her undergraduate degree from the CALS at UW–Madison in 2021, she began working for the SVM, first in a research support role and then for three years as a Veterinary Assistant in the Primary Care department. She joined the CLLC team in November of 2025 after exploring her deep passion for connecting with clients, accessible education, and animal welfare. In her free time, Katie spends ample time with her cats, Goose and Finch, and is an avid outdoors woman and knitter.
Dr. Jill Caviness, DVM
Program Development
Dr. Caviness grew up on the east coast before moving to Madison for veterinary school (UW SVM Class of 2017). She worked as a Primary Care clinician and instructor at the vet school until spring 2026, when she relocated to Washington state. Dr. Caviness still loves to join the CLLC team for planning and event coordinating from afar! Her favorite part of the CLLC is getting more individual time with pet owners to maximize their pets’ care and building relationships with community members. In her time outside of the CLLC, Dr. Caviness enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and their dog, Mammoth, and knitting with her cat, Electron.
Margene Anderson, MS, EdS, EdD
Program Development ; Education Support
Dr. Margene grew up in Minnesota and came to Madison to go to UW for college. Dr. Margene was a school teacher for 15 years before moving into higher education. Fun fact. Dr. Margene’s favorite part of the CLLC is helping with hands on learning and coming up with creative learning experiences. Fun fact, Dr. Margene is now training as a Certified Veterinary Tech and excited to share her new skills with the CLLC community!
Katie Harmelink, BS, CVT
Simulation & Resource Creation; Education Support
Bio Coming Soon
