Staff

Cara Obadowski, D.V.M
Welcome the new owner of Niantic Animal Hospital

Cara is a Connecticut native originally from Farmington and is excited to return to her home state and become a part of the Niantic community May 2023. After graduating from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in biology and biotechnology, she went on to receive her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2006 from Tuskegee University. After graduation, Cara worked in West Hartford and Manchester before relocating to Massachusetts. Over her 17 year veterinary career, she served in roles of medical director and associate veterinarian in various hospitals and emergency referral centers. Cara is able to provide care from puppy and kitten hood to geriatrics including preventative care, internal medicine, dentistry and surgery. She has worked in practices that were feline focused, those that offered canine reproductive services as well as those that use the fear free approach to animals. Veterinary medicine is not just a profession to Cara, it is truly her passion. Having owned pets since she was 4 years old, and competing in junior handling showing dogs starting at age 6, she understands the importance of pets and the dynamic of the human animal bond. Ever since she was old enough to remember, she dreamed of becoming a veterinarian and made the wish of this becoming true when blowing out the candles on every birthday cake. At age 16 she started working as kennel help and went on to other roles including veterinary assistant, technician assistant, veterinary technician and customer service representative. When not reading patients, Cara loves spending time with her husband, 7 year old identical twins, her Cavalier King Charles spaniels and her cat. When not at work or home she most likely will be found at the beach, her other happy place.

Margaret von Ehr, D.V.M, joined Niantic Animal Hospital in 2017. She grew up in Bridgeport and majored in pathobiology and animal science with a Bachelors of Science from University of Connecticut. Prior to receiving her doctorate degree in veterinary medicine in 1984 from University of Georgia Veterinary College, she worked in research at Yale School of Medicine and the Diagnostic Laboratory at the veterinary college, University of Georgia. After graduating veterinary college Margaret completed a large animal internship at Tufts University and then worked in mixed animal practices in Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Maryland before owning small animal veterinary practices in Old Lyme and Madison. She resides with her family which includes two adorable rescue dogs.

Lee S. Carpenter, M.S., D.V.M. is a 1984 graduate of Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Lee has lived in Niantic and worked while owning Niantic Animal Hospital for 34 years. Since selling NAH in May 2023, Lee is happy to still be part of this community business and now fills in when an extra veterinarian is needed. In addition, Lee continues to work as president of the 27 year old non-profit Friends of Feral Felines (FOFF) (feralfelines.org) and practices surgery and medicine for the organization out of Niantic Animal Hospital.

Robin Boislard

Veterinary Assistant

Friends of Feral Felines (FOFF) liaison and Board Member

Robin joined Niantic Animal Hospital after a twenty year career with Connecticut Department of Corrections. She has been a valuable member since 2009 who enthusiastically will assist with any job that needs doing from nursing care, equipment maintenance, answering phones and keeping the hospital well supplied, She presently resides with her partner, two dogs and five cats.

FOFF is a 501(3) (c ) managed and facilitated by Niantic Animal Hospital .

Alexis Dempsey

Veterinary Assistant

Alexis graduated from the Agricultural Science Program at Ledyard High School where she had veterinary assistant training with the goal of veterinary technician. She joined us in 2019 but moved to Hawaii shortly after but returned to Niantic Animal Hospital in the fall of 2022 assisting in all aspects of small animal care. She lives with her family including 3 rescue dogs and 3 cats.

Maura Bonner

Receptionist

Maura has over 20 years of experience in the pet industry including Mystic Aquarium, Tait Mobile Spay and Neuter Clinic, and Pet Supplies Plus. She attended Becker Junior College for Animal Care Studies and Rhode Island School of Design for Digital Photography. She is an educator and advocate for animal welfare and conservation. Maura lives in Groton with her family, dogs, and cats.

Mallory Wilbur

Veterinary Assistant

Mallory, an East Lyme native, graduated from Three Rivers Community College in 2019 with an Associates Degree in Science. She is a certified Veterinary Assistant and plans to continue her education in veterinary medicine. She has been a local petsitter for several years and enjoys spending free time with her dog, Sadie, and cats, Kitty, Bobby and Milk Dud.

Heather Gill

Receptionist

Heather grew up and resides in Niantic with her family and two dogs. She received her Associates in Science degree at Three Rivers Community College and came to Niantic Animal Hospital in January 2021 with many years of reception experience.

Donna Andrews

Receptionist

Donna received her Associates Degree in Science from Three Rivers Community College. She also studied medical coding and is a Certified Professional Coder with the AAPC. Donna has always loved animals and decided to pursue her interests. She received her Veterinary Assistant Certificate from TRCC and joined the Niantic Animal Hospital team. Donna loves spending her free time with her family and her rescue dog, taking him on daily walks.

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Carson Carpenter Shook

Receptionist and Veterinary Assistant

Carson, Dr. Carpenter’s daughter, is a high school biology teacher in the area, but has been working at Niantic Animal Hospital for over 10 years part time and during summers and school vacations. Carson holds a Bachelors Degree in Science and World Religions from Mount Holyoke College, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Sacred Heart University. She and her three Friends of Feral Felines rescues live in Niantic.

David Brown

Dave is our go to for problem solving and remedies involving equipment, repairs and building projects.

Dave also helps out on our busy surgery days with patients prep and post anesthesia recoveries.

Dave received his BA in Biology at University of Connecticut and the University of New Mexico. He holds his Veterinary Assistant certificate, Middlesex College 2011; and was a Pfizer Research assistant

Dave retired in 2011 from a career as a service manager and mechanic in order to pursue his love of animals and caring for living beings. He's a lifelong animal owner, mechanic, and surfer.

Sammi Mason

Veterinary assistant

Sammi joined us in January 2024 as a veterinary assistant. She is currently majoring in Pathobiology and minoring in Animal Science at UCONN in hopes of attending Veterinary School in the future. During the school year she works on Saturday and when on college break. She has a horse, cats and dogs.

Yulee

Supervisor