Dr. Lillian Roberts graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 1987. After a pioneering private-practice internship in California's Bay Area, she moved to the Coachella Valley. Here she spent several years at the Animal Emergency Clinic -- culminating in the publication in 1998 of a book, EMERGENCY VET: TRUE STORIES FROM THE ANIMAL ER.
Dr. Roberts opened Country Club Animal Clinic in 1996, providing personalized service to pet owners in the growing East Valley. Built mostly by word-of-mouth, the practice continues to serve discriminating pet owners at its convenient new facility opened in 2008. After more than 20 years of practice, Dr. Roberts still loves what she does -- and it shows! "Whether it's an annual wellness visit or a challenging medical or surgical case, I take real pleasure in making every client experience a positive one," she says. "I look forward to interacting with my patients and consider many of their owners to be personal friends."
When not providing excellent veterinary care, Dr. Roberts enjoys world travel, scuba diving, hiking, cycling and kayaking, as well as wildlife and nature photography. She is the author of several books, including the Andi Pauling veterinarian mystery series, is past president of the Desert Camera Club and supports numerous animal-related and other charities.
Dr Susan Powell graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2003. After a yearlong rigorous and challenging medical/surgical internship at Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group in Ventura California, Dr Powell moved to the Coachella Valley. She worked for a small animal clinic for 3 years before being recruited as the shelter veterinarian for Riverside County’s Thousand Palms Animal Shelter where she worked until 2010. Dr Powell had worked periodically at Country Club Animal Clinic since January 2009 before joining the clinic full-time in October of 2010.
Prior to her life as a veterinarian, Dr Powell worked for several years in the human medical field as a paramedic, deputy coroner, 911 medical emergency dispatcher, patient services coordinator for Stanford’s Infertility Clinic, and as a Clinical Research Coordinator coordinating various clinical drug studies for pharmaceutical companies. Dr Powell returned to school in 1996 and completed a PhD in Reproductive Physiology at Oregon State University where she studied maternal and embryonic factors involved in pregnancy recognition in the llama on her way to vet school.
Dr Powell believes in offering the best medical care and more importantly, educating the client so that they can make the best decisions for both their pet and themselves. In her spare time, Dr Powell can most often be found at the bowling alley trying to improve her average. She also enjoys reading, traveling and photography. She lives with her husband Alan, 3 dogs and 3 cats. Her son Luke is in college studying to be a video game programmer.
Erica Mulanouskus: Head
Technician; Inventory
Erica
has worked in the veterinary field since her teens. She boasts an AA from COD, and is studying
for her RVT license. She may be found assisting the doctors in exam
rooms, in surgery and dentistry, or caring for hospitalized patients. In
her spare time, Erica enjoys fishing and cheering her daughter's college soccer
team. She lives with her husband, daughter, three cats, a German
Shepherd, and a guinea pig.
Jennifer Agnew: Technician
Jennifer has worked as a veterinary assistant and later technician since 2004. She joined the Country Club Animal Clinic team in 2007 after a spontaneous working interview spent assisting in a major surgery. Jen is a key exam-room assistant and has a special interest in dentistry. Jennifer shares her free time with her life partner and a dog named Haley.
Melissa Thacker: Veterinary Technician
Melissa stepped in in 2010 and quickly became a vital part of our team. Melissa expects to pass the LVT exam in 2012, and currently helps in the exam rooms as well as with Surgery and various medical treatments as needed. She commutes from Beaumont where she lives with her husband and daughter, three miniature dachshunds and a cat.
Athena Zittritsch: Client Services
Athena is likely to be the first person you see on arriving at Country Club Animal Clinic. She greets client on arrival, schedules appointments, and helps clients with their pet health insurance claims. Athena joined our staff in 2009 and quickly became an essential team member. In her spare time, she enjoys league bowling. She and her fiance share their home with a boxer mix, a ball python, and a very tolerant cat.
Stella Ontiveros: Technician
The latest member of our team, Stella joined us in 2011 with eight years' experience as a veterinary assistant. She is skilled in every aspect of veterinary assisting, and is always eager to learn more. Stella shares her home with her husband, two children, a cat and and two chihuahuas. As an added bonus, Stella speaks Spanish fluently.
Michael Bentsen: Maintenance
Michael joined our team in 2008, to help keep us looking sharp. When we make a mess (which happens a lot in this business!) Michael is right there to restore order. He lives with his wife and their dog, enjoys bowling and has won medals for his tennis playing.
Rocky: Official Greeter
Found wandering the streets of Palm Desert in 1989, Rocky (A Congo African Grey Parrot) knew his name but not his address or phone number. He has lived at Country Club Animal Clinic since it opened in 1996. Rocky's hobbies include whistling dogs over to his cage for a little "love nip" and cadging treats out of the staff.
Bella: Rubber band inventory
Bella came to live with us after her owner was disabled. Most days, she can be spotted warming the front counter. In an emergency, she might be called upon to donate life-saving blood to a cat who becomes injured or ill. In her spare time she experiments with potential new cat toys (pictured here with a favorite) and tests the furniture for sleeping possibilities.
Guapo: Food Taster
Guapo was living at an animal shelter when it became apparent that Bella needed a companion. While he fits in for the most part, it was soon obvious that he could not be trusted with the pet food inventory overnight. Not satisfied with a single flavor, if left unsupervised, Guapo will open every bag in sight, nibbling from each before moving on. To coax him into posing for this photo, we dangled a treat just out of reach (which, of course, he received after the shutter had clicked!)
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Hours of Operation
| Mon | 8am to 6pm |
| Tue | 8am to 5pm |
| Wed | 8am to 5pm |
| Thu | 8am to 5pm |
| Fri | 8am to 5pm |
| Sat | 8am to 2 pm |
| Sun | Closed |
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