Our Staff
We are proud of our family at Forest Valley Veterinary Clinic. We take patient care very seriously and we want you to know your pet is in good hands. Our Licensed Technicians (‘Nurses’), Receptionists and Assistants have decades of experience between them and they also understand what it feels like to be in your shoes. We know you like to see a familiar face when you come through our door, and someone that is genuinely interested in helping you care for your pet.
Dr. Bruce Behrends
Dr. Bruce Behrends grew up in Oregon, went to school in Oregon, and never thought twice about living anywhere else. He started his career working at the Veneta Veterinary Hospital back when they saw ‘all creatures, great and small’. If you catch him on a slow day, he has some great stories to tell about those middle of the night farm calls. Over the years, he decided to focus his energies on small animals and creating a veterinary hospital that serves the needs of our community. He is now part owner in the Forest Valley Veterinary Clinic and Veneta Veterinary Hospital.
Dr. DuWayne Penfold
In 1970, Dr. Penfold graduated from Michigan State University and moved his family to Eugene to start life as a veterinarian. Since then, DuWayne has seen the community grow and change in many ways, but has maintained a philosophy of compassion and service to pets in need. He has given his time as President of the Lane County Veterinary Medical Association and the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association, and as State Delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association. There was even a time in the ’80’s, when he travelled to Salem to help save OSU’s veterinary school who’s funding had been cut from the state budget. There are many veterinarians in our area that have been mentored by Dr. Penfold, and many graduating classes of veterinarians that may never have been without him.
Dr. Heather-Renee Srch-Thaden
Dr. Srch-Thaden is a true Oregonian. She was raised in the Klamath Basin where she enjoyed watersports, became a nationally ranked figure skater, and participated in a multitude of 4-H projects. Life as a military wife took her around the world including Japan, Europe, and Australia. She studied Marine Biology at UNC-Wilmington and was a professional aquarist at the National Aquarium in Baltimore.
She returned home to earn her DVM from Oregon State University and her research has contributed to many aquatic animal health programs including beach renourishment in the Carolinas, restoration of Oyster Reef Habitats, and creating a blood test for Sea Star Wasting Syndrome in the Pacific Northwest.
Dr. Srch-Thaden’s interests outside of medicine include showing dogs, dance, and traveling. She also enjoys many watersports of the liquid and frozen variety, including scuba diving, surfing, wakeboarding, kayaking, and snowboarding, as well as spending quality time with her family and friends.
Dr. Michelle Kenna
Dr. Michelle Kenna was born and raised in Southern California. After completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, she realized that her true professional passion was for medicine and animals. She started her veterinary school at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. After completing a semester there, she transferred to Ross University in St. Kitts. Dr. Kenna then went on to complete her clinical year at Texas A&M. She received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in January 2007.
Dr. Kenna has practiced veterinary medicine in the Eugene and Cottage Grove areas for the past 12 years. She enjoys working with clients and their pets. In her free time, Dr. Kenna loves to hike, run, kayak and spend time with her family including her 2 Labradors.
