Our team of professional animal care givers look forward to seeing you at the clinic.  We know how important your pets are to you, just as you and your pets are important to us.  That is why you and your companion animal will receive individual attention and the best care we can provide.

Dr. Robert Dehler

Dr. Dehler has been providing veterinary care throughout southern Maine since 1983.

“Whether it’s a family pet, horses, or farm animals, each patient is unique,” says Dr. Dehler.  “That’s why I like to work closely with both the owners and their animals.  We all want to make sure our patients receive the care that is right for their particular situation.”

High quality, personalized veterinary care is the foundation of Dr. Dehler’s practice.  From routine visits to emergency calls, Dr. Dehler considers himself to be a partner in his patients’ well being. “Our clients form very close bonds with their animals,” he notes “understanding that relationship is an important step in providing the most appropriate care.”

Robert Dehler received the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1983.  His undergraduate work in Zoology was also at OSU, where he received his B.S. in 1979.  He began his studies in animal medicine after a four year stint in the U.S. Navy, where he served on the U.S.S. Damato (DD871) and the U.S.S. Truckee (AO147).

Upon graduation, Dr. Dehler started his practice in Westbrook, Maine and has been caring for animals in the area since 1983.

Today, Dr. Dehler’s care for animals extends beyond the clinic to his own home, where he enjoys the company of many dogs, cats, chickens, goats, sheep and horses.  His wife, Leanne (Risbara), is a popular dog breeder and manages many business aspects of the clinic.  Together, the Dehler’s and their five children make a large family of animal lovers.

Dr. Douglas A. Kern

Dr. Kern was born into an Air Force family and lived in numerous states as a child while his father was stationed at different Air Bases. He was raised primarily in Rice Lake, Wisconsin and worked on dairy farms for over 10 years before attending the University of Wisconsin at River Falls, obtaining a B.S. in chemistry in 1983.  Dr. Kern received his B.S. in Veterinary Science in 1985 and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1987 from the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine. Upon graduation Dr. Kern entered into a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Rowley Memorial Animal Hospital (MSPCA) in Springfield, MA and continued on as a staff doctor and Director of Interns until accepting his surgery residency at Virginia Tech in 1990. In 1993 Dr. Kern received his M.S. in Veterinary Science (thesis involved repair of jaw fractures in dogs) and completed his residency. In 1996 he became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Dr. Kern has additionally practiced in Ohio, Virginia, and Nebraska and moved to Maine in 2002 with his New Englander wife, Lori, and their two children, Lindsay and Ryan. Today, Dr. Kern maintains a relatively modest chicken flock of 100 birds, tries to repair his antique Farmall tractors, and raises the prerequisite number of Mainer mosquitoes, deer flies, and black flies in the wetlands of Standish.

Leanne
Practice Manager

Keeping a veterinary practice in order comes naturally to Leanne, whose management skills were honed as a professional dog breeder and mother of five.

When Leanne decided to work at her husband’s practice, she knew she’d be well prepared. Her life experiences taught her she could handle almost any situation, from life’s surprises to its mundane tasks. She also knew that working at the clinic would present a different kind of challenge. What she wasn’t prepared for, however, was how much she’d actually like it.

When she’s not at the office, Leanne can often be found at home, raising her children, caring for the family’s chickens, sheep, goats and horses as well as breeding Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, Labradoodles and others. “At times it’s crazy, but I love it.” This enthusiasm even rubs off on her dogs, who are known throughout New England as having exceptional temperament and dispositions.

Lindsay
Licensed Veterinary Technician, Office Coordinator

Lindsay, a licensed Veterinary Technician at Dehler Animal Clinic, seemed destined for a career with animals from the start.  When she wasn’t caring for her cat Herman, or her rabbit, Snowflake, Lindsay spent most of her childhood pretending to be the family dog, barking at her parents. Lindsay followed her love for animals to Mount Ida College in Newton, Massachusetts, earning her bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology in 2007.  She has interned with both the Children’s Hospital Surgical Research Department and Angell Memorial Animal Hospital.  Before graduating, Lindsay received two Hartz/AKC National Scholarships and Mount Ida’s Senior Achievement Award for excellence in Veterinary Technology.  Lindsay achieved her  Master’s Degree in Post Secondary and Adult Education in September 2010, and began her teaching career at Mount Ida College in Newton, MA.  Lindsay is currently teaching Veterinary Technology at Great Bay Community College in Portsmouth, NH. Lindsay sadly said goodbye to her beloved Golden Retriever Magic, but still shares her life with her Golden Retrievers Bradi and Tyler, two cats: Little Bear and Mallory, and her turtle Bud.

Brooke
Veterinary Technician

Brooke, a Veterinary Technician, is Dehler Animal Clinic’s resident Cat Lady.  Currently living with two of her own cats, Garfield and Hermies, and her latest addition Stella the French Bulldog! Brooke loves being surrounded by her favorite furry friends and their owners.  Brooke returned home to Maine in 2007 from Worcester where she studied Veterinary Technology at Becker College.  During this time, Brooke worked for the Auburn Cat Hospital in Massachusetts.  Brooke’s love of learning, and natural curiosity, fuel her ever-growing passion for working with animals. “I always want to be working with animals,” Brooke says when speaking of her future.  Brooke has recently graduated from Penn Foster College with a degree in Veterinary Technology.

Erin
Veterinary Technician

Erin, a Veterinary Technician, moved from Massachusetts to join our team in April 2011.  She has worked in the veterinary field since January of 2008, starting her career in Miami, FL.  Graduating with a B.S. degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management, she decided to follow her childhood dream of working with animals. She has recently graduated Penn Foster College with a degree in Veterinary Technology.   Erin had the pleasure of growing up with many animals such as: dogs, cats, rabbits, goats, sheep, chickens, pigs, horses, cows and turkeys!  She now shares her life with her husband, house cat- “Taser”, and dwarf rabbit “Wesley”.  In her free time, Erin enjoys the outdoors, hiking, snowmobiling, and boating; and the company of her family and furry friends.

Kayla
Veterinary Assistant

Kayla, a Veterinary Assistant, knew right from childhood there was no doubt she wanted to work with animals. She grew up with dogs, chickens, ducks and a two-and-a-half foot long green iguana. Kayla knew she wanted to work in a veterinary clinic and started her education at UMA in Bangor. After studying to be a veterinary technician for two years, the program was discontinued. Kayla is now continuing her veterinary technician education through Penn Foster College.
Prior to being part of the Dehler Animal Clinic family, Kayla worked as a pet nutrition consultant for Petco, and also as a professional cleaner for Merry Maids. She shares her life with a parakeet named LouBird and a puggle named Riley. She enjoys spending time with family, friends and their furry critters. Kayla also enjoys walking and biking trails with Riley and exploring nature.