Meet Our Team
Dr. Mary Smith
DVM
Dr. Smith joined the team at Shoreline Animal Hospital in 2022. She is passionate about preventive medicine and working on ensuring that pets and owners receive the best care. She has worked in general practice, emergency, and high quality, high volume spay-neuter clinics. Dr. Smith graduated summa cum laude from Kansas State University and completed her veterinary doctoral degree at Colorado State University in 2017. She is a board-certified diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.
Dr. Smith enjoys living on the Connecticut shoreline. When not at the clinic, she spends much of her time outdoors, either in the woods or on the water with her husband and dogs. Her hobbies include trail running, home improvement projects, paddle sports, and pottery.
Dr. Heather Albino
DVM
Heather Albino, DVM, graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science. She attained her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree at St. George's University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada in 2011.
Dr. Albino brings over 20 years of experience in the veterinary field, starting as a veterinary technician and then as a veterinarian working in both small animal General Practice and Emergency Medicine.
Dr. Albino enjoys helping clients with their pets during all stages of health and sickness, from birth to end of life.
She has worked in programs in South Africa, assisting in improving the genetic diversity of wildlife, including wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, and rhinoceros. While living in Indiana she worked volunteering at a local horse farm, participating in equine care and competing under Western and English saddle.
When not at the clinic, some of her favorite pastimes are horseback riding, tennis, gardening, and nature hikes with family, friends, and her beloved Australian Labradoodle.
Dr. Lara Gardner
DVM
Dr. Lara Gardner is a seasoned veterinarian with over 17 years of dedicated service in the field. Her journey began as an equine veterinarian and practice owner in Deep River. She then moved into the fast-paced environment of a small animal emergency room within a prestigious referral hospital. These experiences enabled her to broaden her medical skill set and enhance her knowledge of critical care and emergency medicine.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Dr. Gardner finds solace and joy in her roles as a mother and a lifelong learner. Alongside her commitment to homeschooling her children, she embraces an active lifestyle, finding rejuvenation in Pilates sessions and the tranquility of hiking trails. At home, her creature companions—dogs, cats, and horses—provide constant companionship, serving as both beloved pets and ongoing sources of inspiration for her veterinary practice.
Having resided in the Shoreline area for over 15 years, Dr. Gardner and her husband have cultivated deep roots within the community. With her warm demeanor and genuine love for animals, she eagerly anticipates the opportunity to extend her expertise to the clients of Shoreline Veterinary Hospital. For Dr. Gardner, the opportunity to meet each new furry friend is a privilege, and she is wholeheartedly dedicated to ensuring that they receive nothing but the best veterinary care available.
Dr. Katherine Lavery
DVM
Dr. Katherine Lavery was born in Newington, CT and went to Marist College for her undergraduate degree. She attended veterinary school at The Ohio State University and graduated in 2015. She has special interests in dentistry, internal medicine, ultrasound and soft tissue surgery.
Outside of work, she enjoys photography, music, hiking and traveling.
Dr. Emily Berman
DVM
Dr. Emily Berman joined our veterinary team in 2023. Dr. Berman grew up in Connecticut on a small hobby farm. She graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Animal Science. She received her D.V.M. from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in 2019. She grew up riding horses and always had an interest in veterinary medicine and decided to pursue equine medicine during her fourth year in veterinary school. Dr. Berman also loves to work with small animals as well! Dr. Berman has a Thoroughbred cross, Dillon, who is retired at home in Connecticut and a black Labrador named Jackson. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her dog, trail riding, reading, and cooking new and interesting recipes.
Christie
Christie has worked in the veterinary field since 1998, and she has been a team member at Shoreline Animal Hospital since 2003! She became certified as a Veterinary Technician in 2007. She has a dog named Fozzi, and a cat named Pakora. She recently started her own business handcrafting wire sculptures and jewelry, and in her spare time helps run a non-profit organization to benefit Veterans.
Robin
Robin has worked at SAH since 2005. She currently works as a receptionist as well as doing accounting and office work. Robin grew up with a variety of animals including horses, cats, dogs, and chickens. She has a passion for helping both people and animals, and has worked in the veterinary field for almost 20 years. She resides in Higganum with her husband and her 6 chickens. She has 2 adult children, 2 granddaughters and 1 grandson.
Blair
Blair joined the SAH family in 2019. She graduated from Mount Ida College with an associates degree in veterinary technology in 2018 and was later certified by the Connecticut Veterinary Technician Association (CTVTA). Blair grew up in Haddam with a variety of animals including dogs, Guinea pigs, geckos, and chickens. Blair has always had a passion for animals and nature. Spending her free time hiking, running, swimming, biking, on trail rides, or spending time with friends and family. She currently has a flock of hens, a black lab named Aubrey and German Shepherd Dog named Mack.
Jessica
Jessica joined the SAH family in 2021. She has always had a passion for animals and knew early on that her dream was to work with them. Jessica started in the veterinary field in 2013 and fell in love with helping pets and their families. As a longtime Clinton resident, she takes pride in helping her community and making a difference in the lives of the patients and clients. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, and reading. She can often be found cuddled up with her cat, Lenny, or spending time with family and friends.
