Cumberland Animal Clinic, Cumberland Maine

Thomas E. Netland, VMD – “Dr. Tom” grew up in Orono, Maine. He graduated from Orono High School in 1976, and then went on to Purdue University for two years in the pre-veterinary curriculum. He returned to Orono and attended the University of Maine. He graduated in 1980 with a B.A. in Zoology. He then attended Veterinary School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he received his VMD in 1984. He met his wife Lauren at “Penn” and they were married, also in 1984. After working in Philadelphia for one year, the Netlands’ returned to Maine to practice small animal medicine. Dr. Tom worked for one year at the Mann Memorial Clinic in Arundel. In 1987 both he and “Dr. Lauren” joined Dr. Gerald Nelson at the Cumberland Animal Clinic. In 1994 they purchased the practice and moved into the adjoining residence. They have four children. Dr. Tom enjoys both medicine and surgery. He greatly enjoys and values the many long term relationships he has formed with his clients and patients. Outside of work, Dr. Tom enjoys spending time with his family, gardening, fishing, biking, traveling and cooking.

Lauren K. Netland, VMD –Dr. Netland grew up in a small town in southern New Jersey. She got her undergraduate degree in Animal Bioscience from The Pennsylvania State University in 1981 and then her veterinary doctorate from The University of Pennsylvania in 1985. Upon graduation she came to southern Maine along with her husband, Dr. Thomas Netland, to practice companion animal medicine and surgery. In 1987 she joined her husband in practice at the Cumberland Animal Clinic and then purchased the practice in 1994 when the previous owner, Dr. Gerald Nelson, retired. She enjoys providing high quality compassionate care to her patients and values her time with her family and in the garden. She is a member of the AVMA, MVMA and PVMA.

Patricia Chase, DVM – Dr. Chase was raised in a large family in Hamden, Connecticut. She attended Quinnipiac College (now University) in Hamden, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Technology in 1979. Pat worked at various local veterinary hospitals as a Veterinary Technician prior to attending Mississippi State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. She received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1990, and moved to Maine that same year to marry Daniel Chase. Dr. Chase worked at various veterinary hospitals in the Portland area prior to becoming an associate at Cumberland Animal Clinic in 1994. Dr. Chase strives to assist owners in optimizing the health and quality of life of their pets through preventative care, quality medicine and respect for the client's individual concerns and lifestyles. She lives with her husband Dan, children Allison and Nolan, a dog, cat, cockatiel and guinea pig.

Lourdes Benito, DVM – Dr. Benito was born and raised in Woodside (Queens), New York. She knew she wanted to be a veterinarian when she was 11 years old. She started volunteering in a small animal hospital when she was in high school and was thrilled to get a paid position at age 16 as a switchboard operator at the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan. She continued to volunteer to maintain her contact with the animals. Dr. Benito attended Rutgers University, Cook College in New Brunswick, New Jersey; graduating with a B.S. in Animal Science. After graduation, she worked for 2 years as a Laboratory Animal Technician at the Rockefeller University in New York City. Dr. Benito received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1991 from the Ohio State University and worked in small animal practice in Columbus, Ohio for 15 years. In June 2006, she and her “Native Mainer” husband, Dennis, moved to Cumberland with their three children, Cristina, Alexander and Benjamin.