Relief: Brenda Dines, DVM

08/14/2026

A reminder that rabies pops up in our county and adjacent ones. Vaccinate your pets.

A bat tested positive for rabies in the 10800 block of South Church Street in Chicago.

Ensure your pets are safe from rabies by staying current on their vaccinations. Cook County Animal and Rabies Control is hosting free rabies and microchips clinics through October to help keep your pets protected. See clinic details: http://cookgov.me/petclinics

08/11/2026

If you did not expect it, just know we are running behind today. We will be behind on emails and calls. We have drawn blood and obtained urine in the dark, so at least we know our skills are good! Stay safe, and if you don't have to go out it's probably best for your blood pressure.

06/29/2026

During thunderstorm season, fast-acting situational medications should be administered to manage immediate fear responses in dogs.

06/04/2026

And just like that, they are ready to be adopted 😍

Meet, from left to right, Cass, Samo, Maida and Enzo! They are about two months old, are spayed/neutered and are ready, waiting and excited to meet you! Come meet these adorable kittens at Michiana Humane Society 🧡🧡🧡🧡

06/04/2026

A portion of our work is with animal shelters near and far. Today Dr. Dines was at Michiana Humane Society providing high quality, high volume spay/neuter services and medical support. Rabies vaccines, medical exams and treatment plans, along with 19 surgeries were completed today. Here is a little look at one of the adorable litters recovering after surgery. Keep an eye out for these little ones to be available for adoption.

05/31/2026

Collaboration is key. You will notice the many skilled veterinarians, technicians, assistants and volunteers smiling in this photo. With the help of staff and volunteers associated with Ark Of The Dunes Animal Hospital, Dyer Animal Clinic, St. John Animal Clinic and ourselves, we were able to vaccinate and microchip 500+ animals in East Chicago, Indiana for free in a little over 3 hours. We are grateful to Elanco Pet Health & Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. for the many donated vaccines and products, as well as East Chicago Animal Control for purchasing more supplies to serve their community. Thank you for all the planning, additional staffing and coordination from the East Chicago Health Department. We are always proud to support our Northwest Indiana Community.

05/16/2026

We always advocate for continuous glucose monitors for our diabetic patients. They provide us with so much more information and are so much less stressful for our patients.

03/11/2026

As you know we serve Northwest Indiana far and wide, but you have probably noticed on your receipts that I (Dr. Dines) call Lake Village, IN home.

My family and pets are fine. The damage to our property is nowhere near what others faced yesterday. The community is somehow bravely picking up the pieces.

I have been in touch with our friends at the Lake Village Volunteer Fire Department to be available today for any immediate animal needs during their rescue efforts. We are thankful that local practices were open to me bringing pets for imaging if deemed necessary.

I was supposed to be at a shelter today performing surgery. Without hesitation they rescheduled for another day, even though it took a bit more coordinating. In the worst of times, you can always rely on the veterinary community to support pets and their people.

Donations for humans or animals alike can be brought to:

Lake Village Community Center
9728 N 300 W, Lake Village, IN 46349

(Sealed pet supplies, shovels, garbage bags, buckets, bleach are some of the listed items)

Hold your pets and family a little closer. Support your community. Thank you for all that checked in and I am sorry if I have not replied yet, but your thoughtfulness meant the world.

12/23/2025

This is why rabies vaccines are so important, even if you think the chances for exposure are low.