Tavaras Rochell

Tavaras Rochell is the overnight assistant at Arlington Heights Veterinary Hospital North. Early Thursday morning, he saved the lives of several animals when the clinic caught on fire and burned down. T-man was alone in the clinic and did his best to try to fight the fire. When that failed he went into the burning building multiple times to bring out every single hospitalized animal. He suffered smoke inhalation and burns, including second and third degree burns to his hands from feeling his way through the burning hospital to the kennel area where the patients were kept. Tavaras is a hero. I can't praise his courage or dedication enough. I am hoping some members of our community will join me in thanking him for his service and helping him along through a difficult time.

*UPDATE* The firefighters who responded to the alarm found Tavaras almost passed out from the smoke inhalation. Despite the severity of his injuries, he insisted on going with the animals who were transported to our South clinic, helped unload them and made sure they were all okay before getting help for himself.