MEET OUR TEAM

VETERINARIANS

Dr. Cheryl Monteiro earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Tufts University in 1989 and a Master’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Rhode Island in 1992, where her research focused on pain management. She graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996. While attending veterinary school she received the Caleb Dorr Award for scholastic achievement and a Memorial Scholarship for collegiate citizenship and academic excellence. She worked in a small animal private practice in New York before moving to Connecticut.

Dr. Lawrence Monteiro earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Tufts University. He attended the University of Rhode Island’s graduate program in Animal Science. He graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996. He started his practicing career as a dairy veterinarian followed by working at a mixed (large and small) animal clinic in upstate New York. Since moving to southeastern Connecticut, Dr. Lawrence Monteiro has practiced exclusively companion animal medicine and surgery.  Dr. Lawrence Monteiro worked in several small animal clinics in New London County before starting his own practice with his wife Cheryl. Doctors Lawrence and Cheryl Monteiro share their home with a cat, chinchilla, and periodically a puppy from Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

Dr. Kylie Baker pursued her undergraduate degree at the University of Connecticut. She graduated with a double major in Animal Science and Pathobiology/Veterinary Science in 2019. Prior to attending veterinary school, she worked at Pfizer in their drug safety, research and development department as a necropsy and histology technician. Dr. Baker moved to Arizona for four years while attending Midwestern University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She graduated in spring 2024 and joined the Four Paws team later that year. While she isn’t focused on improving her veterinary skillset, she spends time with her family doing DIY projects and working their Christmas tree/hobby lumber yard. She shares her home with her cats Mushu and Pipsqueak and two dogs, Snort and Boogie.

Dr. Joanne Bergren decided on a career in veterinary medicine when she was 7 years old. She has been practicing small animal veterinary medicine for 34 years, more than half of which has been with the amazing team at Four Paws. Dr. Bergren attended Bucknell University where she received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology in 1987. She earned her DVM from the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. Dr. Bergren is phasing towards full retirement, but still loves her time at Four Paws.

A native of New Jersey, Dr. Carolyn Toolan graduated in 2001 from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. After a successful career in finance, Dr. Toolan pursued her childhood passion to become a veterinarian. She earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Toolan continued her training with an intensive one-year internship at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists in East Greenwich, RI prior to moving into general practice. Having spent countless summers with family in southeastern Rhode Island, Dr. Toolan is excited to have returned to the area permanently. She lives with her husband, daughter, and two dogs, Bixby and George. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, running, and gardening.