evahvet@gmail.com
ABOUT EXPLOITS VALLEY ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Exploits Valley Animal Hospital was founded in 1970 by Dr. Michael Bland, who dedicated 15 years as the sole operator of the facility. In 1990, his daughter, Dr. Liesl Bland, joined the practice after graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College.
Dr. Liesl Bland worked alongside her father for 10 years until his retirement. She then moved the practice to its current location at 26 Hardy Avenue, successfully growing the clinic and expanding the range of services offered to our clients.
Today, the legacy of compassionate care continues under the leadership of Dr. Gina Nichols, who is now the proud owner of Exploits Valley Animal Hospital. She has officially been a part of the EVAH team since graduating OVC in 2010, and continues to grow her education and knowledge to provide pristine service to our community.
Our veterinary medical team brings together a diverse and highly skilled group of professionals dedicated to the health and well-being of your pets. Our number one priority is the health of your animals, and with our highly educated and passionate staff, our dedication and devotion to our work does not end behind closed doors.
MEET OUR TEAM
The medical staff at Exploits Valley Animal Hospital is dedicated to meeting the individual needs of your pets. We are caring, welcoming and have built a strong reputation for offering quality services from existing clients. Our team has highly skilled professionals dedicated to taking care of your pets in the best way possible.
Dr. Gina Nichols
Owner and Veterinarian
Dr. Liesl Bland
​Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Emily Swyers
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Melanie Goble
Associate Veterinarian
Jennifer Bartlett
Receptionist
Savanna Rochon
Receptionist
Kylee Philcox
Receptionist/Assistant
Jenna Jefferies
RVT
Trina Penney
Veterinary Assistant
Andrea Payne
Veterinary Assistant
Michelle Maan
RVT
Marlaina Parsons
Veterinary Assistant
Kaitlyn Shea
Veterinary Assistant
Lesley White
Veterinary Assistant
GET TO KNOW OUR VETERINARIANS
Liesl Bland - DVM
Born in Bristol, England, Dr. Liesl Bland moved to Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, with her parents, Dr. Michael J. Bland and Jacqueline Bland, and her brother, Howard, in 1970. Raised in a farming and veterinary family, she spent her childhood surrounded by animals, with summers working both on the family farm and alongside her veterinarian father. These early experiences inspired a life long passion for animal health and compassionate veterinary care.
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After graduating from Grand Falls Academy, Dr. Bland attended Memorial University, the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, and the Ontario Veterinary College, where she earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree with Dean's List honours in 1990.
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Dr. Bland joined her father at Exploits Valley Animal Hospital in 1990 and has proudly continued the family tradition of providing trusted, high-quality veterinary care to the pets and families of Central Newfoundland ever since.
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Melanie Goble - DVM
Dr. Melanie Goble came to Newfoundland to provide veterinary services at EVAH in 2023 and fell in love with the animals, the people, and the land. After convincing her husband, they moved to Newfoundland from Wisconsin, USA in 2025. She obtained a degree in psychology from Northland College in 2001 and then went on to the University of Wisconsin - Madison School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 2005. Over the last couple decades, she has provided veterinary care throughout the US and Newfoundland, as well as the Virgin Islands, Nicaragua, and Mongolia, where she has trained and mentored veterinarians.
In 2017, she joined colleagues to create what is now the largest international non-profit addressing the suicide and mental health crisis in veterinary medicine, Not One More Vet, Inc. (NOMV). Through her work with NOMV, she has traveled and lectured internationally.
She loves client education, behavior, internal medicine, and preventative care. Her motto is that when we work together, everyone does better.
Gina Nichols - Owner and DVM
Originally from Botwood, Newfoundland and Labrador, Dr. Gina Nichols always knew that she wanted to build her career close to home and give back to the area where she grew up. She completed her Bachelor of Science at Memorial University of Newfoundland before earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Ontario.
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During her veterinary studies, Dr. Nichols spent her summers working at Exploits Valley Animal Hospital. Those experiences strengthened her connection to the clinic and to the Central Newfoundland community, and confirmed her desire to return home following graduation. She has worked at the clinic ever since, transitioning from associate veterinarian to part-owner and ultimately to full owner and operator. She is very proud of her team and the care they provide to the pets of Central Newfoundland.
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Dr. Nichols has a particular interest in surgery and diagnostic ultrasound and enjoys continually expanding her knowledge and skills to provide the best possible care for her patients. She values building lasting relationships with both her patients and their families and takes great pride in being part of their pets' lives.
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Outside of the clinic, Dr. Nichols is kept busy by her three-year-old son, two Beagles and two cats. She loves spending time outdoors and often can be found hiking, kayaking, riding ATV's, or simply enjoying time with friends and family.
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For Dr. Nichols, veterinary medicine is more than a career - it is an opportunity to care for the community that helped shape who she is today.
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Emily Swyers - DVM
Dr. Emily Swyers, originally from St. George's, earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Atlantic Veterinary College in 2026 after completing a bachleor of Science at Dalhousie University in 2021.
Dr. Swyers enjoys the variety and versatility that veterinary medicine offers, with particular interests in feline and exotic medicine, diagnostic imaging, and providing fear-free appointments to help make vet visits as comfortable as possible for her patients.
Outside of the clinic, she enjoys spending time reading and gardening. She currently lives here in Grand Falls-Windsor with her partner Kevin and their beloved cat, Lucy.
Please call us to schedule an appointment.