Meet Our Team-Ivanhoe East Veterinary Hospital

The Ivanhoe East Vet Hospital, headed up by founder Dr.Robert Gropel, is a purpose built veterinary hospital offering a complete range of services for your loved one. Our dedicated and caring team have the accreditation and expertise to ensure the highest standard of care possible. Our staff are committed to animal welfare and you can rest assured your pet is safe with us; most of our staff are vegan.

We strive to achieve the best possible life for your loved one to enable you both to live an enjoyable and long life together. We aim to educate owners so they feel inclusive in their pet’s health problems and can, therefore, make informed decisions.

Happy pets make happy vets!!

Our Vets
Our Nurses

Dr Robert Gropel

Veterinarian

Dr Robert Gropel (and his late wife Marisa) founded the Ivanhoe East Veterinary Hospital in Feb 2014.

He is leading the profession with qualifications in:
• Awarded advanced practitioner membership in Small Animal Medicine with MANZCVS.
• Masters of Small Animal Practice.
• 12-month post-grad course in ultrasonography.
• Advanced cruciate repair course.

Dr Rob believes that a combination of ongoing education and experience is the key to providing animals with the best care possible. Reaching 20 years of experience, there is not much Dr Rob hasn’t seen or done in the veterinary profession.

Dr Rob is a long-time local in the area having grown up in Eaglemont. He played for the Ivanhoe Knights Basketball team for 12 years and worked at the Ivanhoe East IGA supermarket (known then as Knorrs) for a number of years whilst at high school. Rob always knew he wanted to be a vet and has a strong passion for animal welfare. During university, he spent several months volunteering in animal shelters in Thailand, India, Sri Lanka and Micronesia.

He graduated from the University of QLD in 2005 and worked in mixed practice for 2 years gaining experience in horses and small animals. Since then he has worked at the major animal hospitals in Melbourne including the Lort Smith Animal Hospital, RSPCA and the Animal Emergency Centres where he has gained invaluable experience with a high number of cases in medicine, surgery and emergencies.

Dr Rob spends his spare time going on expeditions. He is the first vegan to climb the seven summits (highest mountain on each continent). He is currently completing expeditions to the north and south pole and finishing up climbing the seven volcanic summits (highest volcano on each continent). You can follow his adventures in the links below.

Dr Rob has the privilege of looking after the two best adopted children in the world (according to him) Comfyshoes and Tinkerbell, who are very much adored and spoiled.