A business built on caring for animals, supporting families, and serving the community has earned one of Henry County’s top honors.
Northeast Animal Hospital was named the 2026 Small Business of the Year during Friday morning’s Small Business Breakfast in Mount Pleasant. Owners Dr. Travis and Chris Van De Berg joined KILJ’s Generation Gap following the announcement, reflecting on the journey that brought them to Southeast Iowa and the relationships they’ve built along the way.
The Van De Bergs opened Northeast Animal Hospital in Mount Pleasant in 2010 after deciding to take a leap of faith and start a practice of their own. Chris Van De Berg, who previously worked as a nurse for 16 years, said the move meant leaving behind a healthcare career to help build the family business from the ground up.
Dr. Van De Berg said veterinary medicine became his calling at a young age and that he never wanted to do anything else. Over the years, he said the clinic has grown into much more than simply treating animals.
He explained that caring for pets often means helping families through emotional moments as well. Especially during difficult end-of-life decisions for longtime pets, saying those moments are some of the most important responsibilities veterinarians carry.
The couple credited their employees and the Mount Pleasant community for helping the clinic succeed. Dr. Travis said Northeast Animal Hospital has benefited from dedicated staff members over the years, including local students and interns from area schools and colleges interested in veterinary medicine. He said exposing young people to careers in animal care and customer service has always been important to the clinic.
The Van De Bergs emphasized that the award was never something they specifically worked toward, but rather a reflection of years spent trying to serve people well.
This year’s other finalists for Small Business of the Year included The Shop – DeWitt Built, Mount Pleasant Tire and Service, and Jane Ann Boutique. All four finalists represented the strength of family-owned small businesses in Henry County. During Friday’s program, Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance Executive Director Rachel Lindeen called the finalists examples of businesses deeply rooted in the community and said the selection process was highly competitive.