Lead veterinary tech Lori Lamb, right, treats a dog with the help of veterinary tech Leiann Barlowe at Ocotillo Animal Clinic & Pet Resort. The plan is to expand services to include rehabilitation therapy and acupuncture.
Courtesy of Ocotillo Animal Clinic & Pet Resort
Ocotillo Animal Clinic & Pet Resort has expanded and has added Dr. Michelle Mendolia to bring its veterinarian total to six.
When Ocotillo Animal Clinic and Pet Resort opened in its current building on Arizona Avenue south of Queen Creek Road 20 years ago, not all of south Chandler was as highly developed as it is today.
Much of that former farm and ranch land now has homes on it — homes ruled by cats, dogs and other pets.
Lesley Gulick is the new hospital manager of Ocotillo. The veterinary practice and pet resort that has served the Chandler community for more than 25 years has staff who have been with the team the whole time — and the team was set to grow this month.
Dr. Michelle Mendolia was expected to join the team in May, bringing Ocotillo’s veterinarian total to six.
Ocotillo staff are also planning to expand services to include rehabilitation therapy and acupuncture — non-invasive, holistic options that Gulick says are especially beneficial for geriatric and elderly pets, as well as agility.
“We’re trying to do as much non-invasive treatment as we can,” Gulick said, mentioning massage therapy as one example.
Gulick said Ocotillo also offers grooming and boarding facilities. She said keeping pets comfortable might seem like pampering to some, but some veterinarians see comfort as an essential component of health and wellness.
“It’s our goal to remind clients that we’re here to support their pets in every way — from wellness and preventative care to holistic therapies and luxury boarding,” she said.
Mendolia, the newest doctor on staff, was born and raised in the Valley and is an alumna of Mountain View High School and the University of Arizona, though her doctorate is from the University of Florida. She then returned to the Valley and worked at a pair of VCA locations before landing at Noe’s Ark in 2017.
Mendolia has since studied acupuncture and went back for training in canine rehabilitation.
“I enjoy all aspects of general practice but am especially interested in preventative care, geriatrics, acupuncture and rehabilitation medicine,” Mendolia stated as part of her bio.
Dr. Leslie Wheeler opened her first hospital, Ocotillo Animal Clinic, in late 1997 in what used to be a Bashas’ shopping center in south Chandler, according to the clinic’s website. The current clinic and resort opened in November 2006 at its location along Arizona Avenue, nearly across from Hamilton High School.
Gulick said Ocotillo began partnering with National Veterinary Associates, or NVA, in 2020.
Ocotillo can be reached by phone at 480-899-8181 or by text at 602-806-8757.
Jason W. Brooks News Editor | Chandler Independent
Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.
Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.
Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.
Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.
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