About Us
Founded in 1964, Pend Oreille Veterinary Service has been dedicated to providing exceptional veterinary care to pets in the North Idaho region. Our mission is to to provide excellent and unparalleled service to our clients, compassionate and cutting edge medical care to our patients and commitment to our community since 1964 and far into the future.
Welcome to the POVS Family
We offer the most advanced care possible for your pet in Sandpoint, using cutting-edge technology and top-rated veterinary services. With one central Sandpoint location and seven fully accredited veterinarians, we offer the most complete veterinary hospital care in the area.
MEET OUR DOCTORS
At the heart of Pend Oreille Veterinary Service is our team of experienced veterinary professionals.
-
![]()
Dr. Sara Garrett
Dr. Sara Garrett joined the Pend Oreille Veterinary Service team in January 2024 after spending part of 2023 at the practice as a relief veterinarian.
-
![]()
Dr. Kari Carola
Dr. Carola is originally from Post Falls, ID and is excited to settle back in her home state. She graduated from Oregon State University in 2022.
-
![]()
Dr. Jenifer Ness
Dr. Jenifer Ness graduated with her DVM from Washington State University in 2016.
-
![]()
Dr. Charles Ashton
Chuck joined Pend Oreille Veterinary Service after graduating from Colorado State University in 1988.
-
![Docter Bruce Vogel Pend Oreille Veterinary Service]()
Dr. Bruce Vogel
Bruce graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1991 and joined Pend Oreille Veterinary Service in 1995.
-
![]()
Dr. Christine Smart
Hi, my name is Dr. Christine Smart. I am a veterinarian and owner at Pend Oreille Veterinary Service. I joined POVS in 2005 and became an owner/partner in 2008.
-
![]()
Dr. Christina Ponsness
Dr. Ponsness moved to Sandpoint in 2008, joined the Pend Oreille Veterinary Service team as an associate in 2013 and became an owner in 2014.
-
![Dr. Sara Smith]()
Dr. Sara Smith
Dr. Smith, from Rhode Island, went from vet school at UPenn to owning a clinic in Ukiah, California, selling it after thirty years for new ventures.
-
![]()
Dr. Kendra Hollar, DVM
Dr. Kendra Hollar joins the Pend Oreille Veterinary Service team after recently graduating in May, 2024 from Washington State University with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
State of the Art Facility
Outstanding service, care and innovative treatment for the pets of North Idaho.
Our facility was created with SERVICE in mind; bringing state-of-the art care and comfort to your pet.
Visit us at 895 Kootenai Cut Off Road in Ponderay, and ask for a tour; our staff will be happy to show you around!
WHY CHOOSE OUR CLINIC?
Decades of Trusted Experience
Compassionate, Cutting-Edge Care:
Unparalleled Client Service
Active Community Contributors
This office is amazing! No wait time and in the past they got us in on an emergency visit right away. The vet tech was kind and paid attention to details. The vet was also kind and spent some time with us. I did not feel rushed. They took excellent care of my boy Otis.
Lynsey Purcell, Otis
4.7/5: Best-Rated Animal Hospitals
-
![]()
Jon Waldrup
The atmosphere at PO vet is calming and competent. I have used their services for many years, through several dogs. My old farm cat, who has only been to the vet once when she was a couple months old, got in a fight the other day. I thought she would battle against any veterinary intervention, but was surprised because the whole assessment and treatment went really well. She made it in and out with no trouble and is well on her way back to full health. She's an important part of my life and I'm really happy with how well the visit went.
-
![]()
John & Cynthia Reopelles
The entire staff was concerned about my dog and his care. I met with the surgeon and her assistant after his surgery.They made sure all my questions were answered and followed up the next morning with a phone call checking on his status. I also appreciated that not being part of a national franchise the cost was half the price of other clinics. Thank you.
-
![]()
Sammy Jo Pitts
We love and trust the staff at Pend Oreille Vet. They are timely and thorough at every appointment. We truly appreciate all they do for our dogs.
-
![]()
Kirk Bogart
We had a great experience with Pend Oreille Vet Services. They got us in for an emergency visit on short notice and we had great experience with them.
