Meet the Dehler Animal Clinic Team
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Here are members of the team who help to make this all possible: Brooke, Bob, Karen, and Lindsay |
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 Dehlers and their five children make a large family of animal lovers.
Dr. Lourdes Benito
Dr. Benito was born and raised in Woodside (Queens), New York. She knew she wanted to be a veterinarian when she was 11 years old. She started volunteering in a small animal hospital when she was in high school and was thrilled to get a paid position at age 16 as a switchboard operator at the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan. She continued to volunteer to maintain her contact with the animals. Dr. Benito attended Rutgers University, Cook College in New Brunswick, New Jersey; graduating with a B.S. in Animal Science. After graduation, she worked for 2 years as a Laboratory Animal Technician at the Rockefeller University in New York City. Dr. Benito received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1991 from the Ohio State University and worked in small animal practice in Columbus, Ohio for 15 years. In June 2006, she and her “Native Mainer” husband, Dennis, moved to Cumberland with their three children, Cristina, Alexander and Benjamin.
Dr. Alicia Ring
Dr. Alicia Ring grew up in Downeast Maine where her love of animals started at a young age. She fondly recalls rescuing injured birds that had struck a window outside her home, and practicing veterinary exams on her family pets. She studied animal science at the University of Maine, and traveled to the Midwest for veterinary school where she earned her DVM from Iowa State University in 2004. Her travels were not over, though, as she found herself drawn to the pacific Northwest where she worked in both small animal practice and a nearby cat shelter just outside Portland, Oregon. Her family always wanted to return to their native state, though, and in the fall of 2007 they jumped at the opportunity. Since returning to Maine, Dr. Ring has continued to practice small animal medicine as both an associate and relief veterinarian. She now lives in Saco, with her husband, Matt, two children, Lucas and Anna, and their five cats.
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. Lindsay is currently teaching Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging twice a week to veterinary technology students at Mount Ida College in Newton, MA. Lindsay sadly said goodbye to her beloved Golden Retriever Magic, but still shares her life with her Golden Retriever Bradi, two cats: Little Bear and Mallory and her turtle Bud.
Karen
Veterinary Assistant
Karen has been employed at Dehler Animal Clinic since 2005 and has worked in the medical profession for over 15 years. As a volunteer firefighter since 1994, she visits schools as Sparky the Fire Dog, teaching children about fire prevention and safety. In 2006 Karen graduated from the New Hampshire Institute for Therapeutic Arts in Bridgeton, ME, earning her degree in Massage Therapy. Karen’s research in school focused on canine massage and she hopes someday to provide in-home massage therapy for both humans and canines. She currently resides in Cumberland with her husband Christopher and her son Andrew.
Brooke
Veterinary Assistant
Brooke, a Veterinary Assistant, is Dehler Animal Clinic’s resident Cat Lady. Currently living with two of her own, Garfield and Hermies, 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. Currently, Brooke is pursuing her degree in Veterinary Technology from the Penn Foster program.
Erin
Veterinary Assistant
Erin, a Veterinary Assistant, moved from Massachusetts to join our team in April 2011. She has worked in the veterinary field for over three years, 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 and is now attending Penn Foster College to become a licensed veterinary technician. Erin had the pleasure of growing up with many animals such as: dogs, cats, rabbits, goats, sheep, chickens, pigs, cows and turkeys! She now shares her life with her beloved rescue cat, Mooshu, and house cat, Taser. In her free time Erin enjoys the outdoors, hiking, snowmobiling, and boating; and the company of her family and furry friends.
Tim
Veterinary Assistant
Personal story to come…
