The Best Place For Your Pet in Viola, IL

Owner

Before starting Schmidt’s Country Kennel, Dalana worked as a certified veterinary technician for 15 years. She decided to turn her love for animals and extensive experience into offering people a safe and affordable place to leave their pets. Dalana and her husband Tanner built the kennel on their 20 acre property in rural Viola in May of 2010. Dalana and Tanner have 3 children, Payton, Bennett and Braxten. Operating the kennel is Dalana's full time job. In her spare time she enjoys shopping, traveling and spending time with her family.

Kennel Manager

Payton is the daughter of owner, Dalana Schmidt, and has been working/helping in the kennel since she was 12 years old. Payton graduated from Carl Sandburg College in July of 2020 with a degree in dental hygiene. She works part-time as a dental hygienist in Muscatine at Alan B. Evans Family Dentistry and manages the kennel on the weekends.

Payton is married to Wyatt Kellogg, and they have a 5 month old son, Nolan. They also have two dogs of their own, Gypsy (mountain cur) and Delilah (cur/border collie mix). Payton's favorite part of working at the kennel is loving on all of the dogs and taking their pictures for the kennel page. In her spare time, Payton enjoys hunting, painting, taking care of her chickens/ducks, and spending time with her son.

Kennel Assistant

Amanda grew up on a farm in Aledo, IL, helping her mom groom and train dogs. She has worked with animals her whole life and graduated from Black Hawk East College in 2019 with an Associate’s Degree. Amanda lives with her soon-to-be husband, three dogs — Salt, a Border Collie, and Alex and Zoe, two Miniature Pinscher mixes — and some lively cats who keep life interesting. She especially enjoys creating a safe and comfortable environment for every dog at the kennel. When she’s not at the kennel, Amanda can be found horseback riding, training her dogs, reading, or enjoying the outdoors with her pets.

Kennel Assistant

Cora has been working at the kennel for over two years. She is part of our animal care team and spends quality time with each dog. Cora is from Aledo, IL, and will be a senior this year at Mercer County High School.



Some of her hobbies include spending time with friends/family and playing with her dogs at home. Her favorite part of working here at the kennel is spending quality time with each dog and making them feel comfortable during their stay here with us.

Kennel Assistant

Hannah is a Senior at Sherrard High School with plans to attend BlackHawk East for 2 years, then transfer to a larger university to pursue a degree in Agriculture Education. She is a member of Pep Squad and is the FFA Chapter President where she spends a lot of time involved in our numerous activities and events. Hannah enjoys hunting, fishing, thrifting and hanging out with friends and has a dog named Brenny, 2 cats named Mavis & Queenie, and a bunny named Norman.

Kennel Assistant

My name is Ella King, I’m 18 years old and currently attending Black Hawk College. I have been working at Schmidt’s Country Kennel for almost 2 years now! I’m a huge animal lover that has two dogs, Winston (red longhaired mini dachshund) and Finn (husky blue heeler mix). I also have two ginger cats, Lennon and Leo! I’m the former, 2024 Miss Mercer County Fair Queen who enjoys baking desserts, taking pictures, fishing, camping and being around people/things I love. My current big goal in life is to become an Ultrasound Technician! 

Kennel Assistant

I’m Sydney Lamkin and I’ve been working at the kennel for a year. I am going to be a sophomore at Wartburg College where I play basketball and study environmental science. I have 2 dogs at home. 

Kennel Assistant

A sophomore at Monmouth College. Some of my hobbies are sports, music and spending time with my family and pets. I have two dogs and three cats and want to have a career in sports media in the future.

Kennel Assistant

I’m attending Black Hawk East to study vet technology. I enjoy volleyball, painting, and reading. I have 3 dogs, 3 cats, 6 goats and a horse. After college I plan to work as a large animal vet tech.

Kennel Assistant

Sophia is from Aledo and is currently a Junior at Mercer County High School. Her hobbies include baking and running in her free time and with the high school track team. At home, Sophia has 3 dogs, A pit bull, a bull terrier, and a jack russell terrier. She also has 2 cats and a horse. Sophia plans to pursue veterinary medicine. 

Kennel Assistant

I’m a junior at Mercer County High School where I’m involved in volleyball and raising/showing cattle. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my three dogs—Willow, Dixie, and Ozzie. My future goals include earning a degree in Agricultural Business and continuing my family’s farming tradition

Kennel Assistant

Hi I am Grace! I went to Mercer County High School and currently attend Augustana College. I do Pole Vault on the Augustana Track team, and I am majoring in Marketing and Graphic Design. I have 3 pets, Jake (german shepherd), Abby (mutt), and Vincent (black cat).

Kennel Assistant

I am a junior at Sherrard my hobbies are horseback riding, drag racing and FFA. I have three dogs and one cat. after high school, I plan to go to cosmetology school.

Kennel Assistant

Hi there! My name is Emilee and I have been working at Schmidt’s Country Kennel since early April of 2025. I am from New Windsor, Illinois and I graduated from Sherrard High School in 2025! Some of my hobbies are; fishing, shopping, and spending time with my family, my boyfriend and our own fur baby, Mello! My favorite part of working at the kennel is seeing all the fur babies that come in! I have created many bonds and love spending quality time with each dog! Every dog has a place in my heart! 🐶❤️

Kennel Assistant

I'm Jayden Weeks I currently attend Mercer County High School as a senior. I play travel softball, highschool softball, and highschool golf. I have one dog at home named Wriggley. for my future I want to go to college to be a radiology technician.

Kennel Assistant

Hi! I am a Sophomore at Mercer County High school. My hobbies are playing with my dogs, doing art, and running. I have 3 dogs, 4 cats, and 1 rabbit. After high school I plan to work in the medical field.