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.
– Course in advanced cruciate repair.
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).
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.