Hope and healing for animals thanks to two Incline Village Rotary Clubs

The local Rotary clubs raised money to buy medical equipment for Pet Network’s veterinary hospital. Please read here to learn about this great example of how our service clubs support the nonprofits in Incline.

Submitted by the Incline Village Rotary: In the heart of Incline Village, Nevada, a beacon of hope shines brightly for animals in need – Pet Network Humane Society. Pet Network envisions a society where all companion animals receive love and respect as valued members of families and communities. Since inception, Pet Network has rescued over 12,000 animals including 94 last month. Pet Network serves as a safe haven for homeless animals by providing them with comprehensive medical treatment and nurturing them with love and compassion, for as long as it takes for them to find a home. As an extension of their mission, Pet Network Community Hospital provides high quality and affordable medical care to animals in the Tahoe basin and beyond.

Pet Network is privileged to have two very highly skilled Veterinarians on their team – Dr. Marlène Tremblay and Dr. Nick Robl. Their dedication and expertise are instrumental in ensuring that both shelter animals and pets within the community receive compassionate, responsible and high touch care.

Dr. Marlène Tremblay with her extensive experience in various types of medicine, ensures that every rescue animal admitted to Pet Network has a thorough health exam, individualized treatment plan and high quality care. Dr. Tremblay received her D.V.M from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2013 followed by a Public Health & Epidemiology Research Internship and doctorate. Dr. Tremblay has worked at a variety of shelters across Utah including Best Friends Animal Society in Salt Lake City and Kanab. In addition to shelter medicine, she has special interests in critical care, emergency and specialty surgery, and behavioral health.

In July 2022, under the supervision of Dr. Nick Robl, Pet Network launched a Community Veterinary Hospital. The Hospital provides routine care, specialized surgeries, and urgent veterinary care to adopters, as well as pet owners in need of quality and compassionate care. The hospital has provided care to over 1200 patients since its opening.

Dr. Nick Robl completed his D.V.M from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2013. He has experience practicing veterinary medicine in a variety of settings including private practice, sanctuaries, shelters and low-cost clinics across Arizona, Utah and Nevada. He has a strong background in veterinary surgery, dentistry, and internal medicine in domestic, exotic, and wildlife species. Dr. Robl has extensive wildlife and conservation experience including serving as the primary veterinarian at Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in Scottsdale, Arizona from 2013-2016 where he remains active on their Board of Directors.

The (Rotary Club of Tahoe Incline) and the (Rotary Club of Incline) teamed together after identifying a pressing need. They then proposed a grant and received additional District 5190 matching funds to purchase medical equipment allowing Pet Network to expand medical services to shelter animals and the broader community.

Thanks to the grants impact and clubs’ generosity, Pet Network received the following much needed medical instruments:

• Cryoprobe: The cryoprobe has enabled the Pet Network veterinarians to perform cryotherapy, a treatment that uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal tissue, reducing the time an animal is under anesthesia and recovery.
• Diagnostic EKG: EKG diagnostics are especially important in emergencies to detect life-threatening arrhythmias prior to anesthesia and surgery, and allows better characterization of heart diseases in shelter and community pets.
• Loupes: Loupes are magnifying glasses that allow a surgeon to be more precise in surgery and dentistry.
• Vet Tome: An atraumatic tooth extraction system that greatly reduces extraction time and saves bone. This allows the team to perform a higher number of dental procedures in a day while reducing anesthesia time for each patient.

Dr. Tremblay and Dr. Robl also took the time to demonstrate to the Rotary Club of Tahoe how the new equipment would help them provide even better care to the shelter and community animals.

The combined efforts of Rotarians from these clubs have made the days at the shelter much brighter for the animals. Over 40 Rotarians are currently supporting Pet Network in a meaningful way – through volunteering, walking dogs, preparing surgical packs, donating financially, donating supplies and attending fundraising events.

Some Rotary Club of Tahoe Members posing for a photograph at a Pet Network hosted morning meeting – from left to right: Pet Network Board Chair Denise Menzies, Dr. Nick Robl, Co-President Mike MCCallum, Francesca Bero, Key Lehr, Co-President Bryan Foertsch and Pet Network Executive Director Simi Balter

Of course there is always more work to be done and we need your support! Please visit www.petnetwork.org to discover the many ways you can get involved!

If you need to book an appointment at the Community Hospital please call 775-298-2715 for assistance.

About Pet Network:

Pet Network truly embodies the spirit of compassion and dedication, making a significant difference in the lives of both animals and their adoptive families. Whether an animal is sick, injured or just in need of refuge, the staff ensure every animal receives the best possible care. Staff and volunteers pour their hearts into providing a safe and nurturing environment for the animals, showering them with love and affection, while they wait patiently for a home. Their tireless efforts have resulted in connecting animals to loving homes for over 30 years.

Through Pet Network Community Hospital the broader community now has access to the same high quality, high touch medical services provided to the shelter animals everyday.