Our Veterinary Team
Our Veterinary Team
Meet the Veterinarians & Veterinary Team of Cumberland Animal Clinic! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!
Get to know our veterinary team!
We are solely dedicated to your pet’s care! We look forward to getting to know you, and we hope you’ll take the time to scroll down and get to know us.
Our Veterinarian Team
Lourdes Benito, DVM
Medical Director
Lourdes' Bio
DVM
Dr. Benito joined Cumberland Animal Clinic as a fulltime associate in 2006. Dr. Benito was born and raised in Woodside (Queens), New York. Though she was very afraid of dogs as a little girl, she was intrigued by them. By the time she was 11 years old, she knew she wanted to be a veterinarian. 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. 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 a 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, Christina, Alexander, and Benjamin. Dr. Benito enjoys various facets of veterinary medicine, especially guiding pet owners in the care of their pets from puppy and kittenhood through adolescence and into their golden senior years. She loves working at Cumberland Animal Clinic and feels lucky to work with an excellent group of doctors and staff. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, gardening, yoga, traveling, and spending time enjoying the outdoors with her family. She presently lives in Cumberland with her family and their pets, Kate (Pointer), Tweety (Blue Parakeet), and Dobby the house cat.
Lily Coppinger, DVM
Associate Veterinarian
Lily's Bio
DVM
Dr. Lily Coppinger is joining us at Cumberland Animal Clinic in July 2023. Dr. Coppinger grew up in Massachusetts and graduated from Umass Amherst with a B.S. in Biology in 2019. She then attended vet school at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with her DVM in May 2023. During her time at Tufts, she gained experience working in a small animal clinic, doing research in small animal nutrition, and spent a month externing at a safari park where she worked with exotic and endangered species. Dr. Coppinger is interested in many areas of veterinary medicine and has a soft spot for senior pets and chronic illness management. As much as she loves working with animals, she really enjoys getting to know her patients’ families and collaborating with them to provide the best care for their pet. She has always loved Maine, specifically Portland, and is very excited to move to the area. She currently has one cat, Gelato, who she adopted in vet school (and is, in her unbiased opinion, the best cat ever).
Audrey Sandberg DVM
Associate Veterinarian
Audrey's Bio
DVM
Dr. Sandberg grew up in Connecticut and has always been an animal lover from a young age. She could be found riding and taking care of horses nearly every day and became an avid 3-day eventer. After spending 4 years at Colby College studying biology and chemistry, Audrey fell in love with Maine and knew she wanted to return to the area after vet school. Dr. Sandberg obtained her veterinary degree from University of California, Davis. She practiced both small and large animal medicine for 4 years in central Maine which took her across the countryside taking care of all creatures great and small. She is now excited to focus her care on dogs and cats at Cumberland Animal Clinic and is looking forward to building relationships with clients and their pets both for wellness visits and urgent care. Audrey lives in Readfield with her husband Max and their two border collies Halley and Kineo. In her spare time, Audrey loves house projects as well as skiing, hiking, horseback riding, sailing, and pretty much anything that takes her outdoors!
Mark House, DVM, ACVS
Board Certified Veterinary Surgeon
Mark's Bio
DVM, ACVS
Dr. Mark House is a board-certified veterinary surgeon, available to come in to Cumberland Animal Clinic to serve our clients’ pets. He performs complex orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries as well as laparoscopic and arthroscopic procedures. He earned his DVM degree at the Ontario Veterinary College in 2004. As he endeavored to become a veterinary surgeon at a young age, he sought further training to one day become a specialist. From 2004-2005, Dr. House attended The Ohio State University Teaching Hospital to complete a one-year general internship program. Then he moved to Long Island, NY where he completed a one-year internship program at Long Island Veterinary Specialists (LIVS). LIVS is a very busy private hospital that offered further training. Dr. House remained at LIVS for three more years, where he focused solely on small animal surgery. Upon completion of the residency program, Dr. House prepared for his board examinations, and in 2010 he became a board-certified small animal surgeon under the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. When not performing surgery, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children in the great Maine outdoors.
Our Veterinary Staff
Anja, LVT
Anja's Bio
LVT
Anja graduated with an associate degree in Veterinary Technology from Becker College in May 2019. Anja joined the Cumberland Animal Clinic team in October 2019 as a veterinary assistant and became a Licensed Veterinary Technician in April 2022. She is committed to the veterinary care of animals and assisting pet owners to care for their beloved pets. Anja enjoys exploring all aspects of veterinary medicine, she has a drive to learn so that she can care for her patients as best as possible. Anja has a true passion for animal care and listens to what the animal is trying to communicate to her. Although she loves all animals, Anja is a true “cat lady” at heart. Anja lives with her boyfriend and two cats, Luna and Taz. When she isn’t juggling her two mischievous kitties, she enjoys being on the ocean, staying active, and exploring all the hidden treasures of Maine.
Christine, LVT
Christine's Bio
LVT
Christine joined Cumberland Animal Clinic in 1995 as a full-time receptionist and trained as a veterinary assistant shortly after. She holds a BA in Biology with a minor in Biochemistry from the University of Southern Maine. Christine achieved her veterinary technician license in 2001 and worked at CAC from 2001-2009. Christine went on to pursue a nursing degree and graduated in 2013 from CMMC College of Nursing and Health Professions. In 2014, became a Registered Nurse. When she is not caring for humans as an RN, she works part-time at CAC as an LVT. Christine resides in North Yarmouth with her family and pets.
Janna, LVT
Head Technician
Janna's Bio
LVT Lead Technician
Janna received her veterinary technician license in 1993 and soon began working at Cumberland Animal Clinic. She is a graduate of South Portland High School and attended the University of Maine, where she graduated with a degree in Animal Science. She resides in North Yarmouth with her daughter, Haley, and her three dogs. She is a fur mom to Axle, a Rottweiler, Sal, a Bullmastiff, and Tino, a French Bulldog.
Avalon
Avalon's Bio
Avalon, a Vermont native, has always loved animals and grew up with dogs and cats. She began her professional journey in 2014 as a dog trainer in central Vermont, later working as a residential counselor for teen girls impacted by trauma. In October 2020, after years as a client, she became a veterinary assistant at a local hospital in Bennington, VT. She moved to Maine in May 2021 and continued in the field, working in southern Maine before joining Cumberland Animal Clinic in June 2022. Avalon is passionate about animal behavior and enjoys helping pet owners with training tips. She lives with her Border Collie, Basil, and two cats, Bernard and Claire. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, adventuring, and watching movies.
Haley
Haley's Bio
Haley joined the CAC team in late 2020. A 2021 graduate of Greely High School, she was an active member of the lacrosse and volleyball teams. She began her college career at the University of Tampa before transferring to the University of New England, where she is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences. Haley is on track to complete her undergraduate studies in 2025 and plans to continue her education with a Master’s degree in Athletic Training, expected in 2026. She resides with her mother, Janna, and their three dogs: Tino, a French Bulldog; Axle, a Rottweiler; and Sal, a Bullmastiff. Outside of her academic and professional responsibilities, Haley enjoys running, shopping, and indulging in her favorite treat—ice cream.
Amanda
Amanda's Bio
Amanda joined CAC in January 2024. She comes to us with a decade’s worth of technical experience in general practice, exotics, and specialty medicine. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Maine at Farmington with a minor in Chemistry. Within veterinary medicine, she has a particular interest in all aspects of surgery. You will often find her assisting our Doctors and LVTs with your pets’ surgical needs. She is an enthusiastic Chinook breed ambassador and would love to share her passion for these dogs with any willing ear. For fun, Amanda enjoys hiking, reading, and eating at new restaurants with friends. She also loves to travel, especially to island countries.
Kelsey
Kelsey's Bio
Kelsey grew up in Vermont and has always wanted to move to Maine after studying veterinary technology at Vermont State University. She spent a lot of her childhood in Maine with family by the beach or up north at her family’s vacation home. She has worked with animals since she was 15 starting as a pet sitter and moving her way into the clinic. She currently is studying for the veterinary technician national exam to become a licensed veterinary technician. She currently resides in Old Orchard Beach with her fiancé and two cats Joker and Bronson.
Stuart
Stuart's Bio
Stuart was born in Scotland and moved to the U.S. in 2011. He spent over a decade in central Maine and had interest in animal sciences from a young age. Stuart studied Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Maine and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 2021. Stuart spent several years at a practice working with both small and large animals in Central Maine before joining the team here at CAC. In his free time, Stuart loves to spend time with his two dogs, Maggie and Loki. Stuart enjoys sports, spending time outdoors, and loves travelling when he gets the opportunity to.
Dani
Dani's Bio
Dani (she/they) grew up on a small farm in Maine, surrounded by animals. Active in school sports and horse shows, she earned her CNA and Firefighter I & II certifications in high school. She studied Art and New Media at the University of Maine at Farmington while apprenticing with a tattoo artist. Before joining CAC in 2022, she worked in electronic sales, and as a traveling electrical designer/contractor for the Navy. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, skiing, reading, gardening, traveling, riding horses or her motorcycle, and creating art. She lives in Southern Maine with her dog, Kona (Siberian Husky/Border Collie Mix), and cat , Ducky (Torti Manx).
Anna
Anna's Bio
Client Service Representative
Anna started at Cumberland Animal Clinic in November 2023. She lived in Connecticut until the end of high school and then took a year off before going to University of Maine at Farmington for three years and graduated May 2023 with a Bachelor’s in Community Health with a Rehab Minor. She has worked in many fields since high school, but animals are her calling. She lives in Freeport and looking to adopt a kitty companion. She is a lover of cats and dogs and grew up with animals since she was 3. Her hobbies are being around her family and 5 furry siblings as well as reading and playing video games.
Hayley
Hayley's Bio
Client Service Representative
Hayley came to Cumberland Animal Clinic in August of 2024. She grew up in Richmond, Maine, with her 8 siblings and graduated from Richmond High School. She knew she loved animals from a young age. She currently lives in Brunswick with her boyfriend, 2 cats Luna, Angel, and a Chinchilla named Gizmo. When she’s not at work, you can find her enjoying the outdoors, traveling, reading, spending time with family, and working at her family’s coffee/mini donut food truck!