About Us

A Leader in Specialty Veterinary Medicine

The Maine Veterinary Referral Center Emergency and Specialty Hospital is a veterinary referral practice specializing in canine and feline internal medicine, neurology, neurosurgery, surgery, CT scanning and MR imaging and emergency services.  Our new, beautiful, state-of-the-art hospital is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year providing emergency referral capabilities and emergency services for all pets.

22 Years of Experience as a Hospital Dedicated to Referral Veterinary Medicine.

In 1989, Dr. Alan Potthoff became the first board certified veterinary specialist established in Maine.  Dr. Potthoff opened the Animal Neurological Clinic in Portland as a referral hospital dedicated solely to serving primary veterinarians.  After their specialty needs are met, owners continue with their primary veterinarian's support and service.  In 1997 the ANC (Animal Neurological Clinic) expanded the hospital facility and acquired the first Computed Tomography (CT) Scanner dedicated to veterinary medicine in Maine.  Dr. Laurie Cook, a board certified neurologist / neurosurgeon, joined the ANC (Animal Neurological Clinic) in 2003.  Together Dr. Cook and Dr. Potthoff have practiced neurology / neurosurgery exclusively as a collaborative team for six years.  In 2004 the ANC acquired the first Magnetic Resonance Imagery (MR) dedicated to veterinary diagnostic imaging in Maine.

The Animal Neurological Clinic Becomes the Maine Veterinary Referral Center

In the spring of 2007, the Animal Neurological Clinic was re-named the Maine Veterinary Referral Center to reflect continuation of neurology / neurosurgery while expanding with internal medicine, oncology, soft tissue, orthopedic surgical capability.  Founders Dr. Alan Potthoff and Jenny Fyles Potthoff opened a new state-of-the-art veterinary facility accommodating a multi-specialty referral practice in the fall of 2007.  With our growth, Niel Nielsen, CEO / Hospital Manager, joined the MVRC.  Niel provides leadership and focus on our dedication to sensitive healthcare for our clients and their pets, and continued advancements in providing the highest standards of veterinary medicine.

Our New State of the Art Hospital and Our Growing Neurology / Neurosurgery, Internal Medicine, Emergency and Surgical Services.

In the fall of 2008, MVRC opened its Emergency Department providing emergency services for all pets 24 hours a day. Our Emergency Department team includes Dr. Steve Askin, Dr. Kevin Cowen, Dr. Kelly Hill, Dr. Traci Patrode and Dr. Jennifer Roberts.  Dr. Karin Wagner, a board certified Internist  joined MVRC, establishing our Internal Medicine Department.  Dr. Danielle Eifler, a board certified neurologist / neurosurgeon, has joined our growing Neurology Department.  In 2010, we are pleased to welcome Dr. Douglas Kern, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Surgery), to our MVRC specialty referral team.

The Maine Veterinary Referral Center is committed to providing advanced and compassionate care for pets, 24 hour emergency services, support for owners, and a trusting, professional relationship with referring veterinarians.