Our team consists of 13 veterinarians with interests in various areas of veterinary medicine, ensuring a complete diagnosis and appropriate treatment for each case. We also have a veterinary nurse, an inpatient coordinator who ensures the quality of patient care, and a dedicated team of veterinary assistants and receptionists, who are essential to the smooth running of the hospital.
This multidisciplinary team allows us to respond quickly and efficiently to the needs of our patients, always focused on the well-being and health of the animals entrusted to us.
Veterinary Doctors
Hugo Oliveira
Clinical Director / Veterinary Doctor
Dr. Hugo Oliveira graduated in 2000 from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Lisbon. He began his career at the AlcabidecheVet clinic and also joined the team at the Estefânia Veterinary Hospital.In 2004, he founded HomeVet, a home veterinary care service, which later evolved into the Tapada das Mercês Veterinary Hospital, where he currently serves as clinical director.
Throughout his career, he has attended the GPCert in Small Animal Surgery and the Advanced Orthopaedic Surgery Programme at Improve International, as well as a Postgraduate Course in Surgery and Anaesthesia at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Since 2010, he has been certified and collaborates with the German Shepherd Club in Radiological Screening for Hip and Elbow Dysplasia.
He has a special interest in the field of reproduction, having completed the Reproduction I and II courses at ESAVS. Clinically, his main interests also include orthopaedic surgery, neurology, and minimally invasive surgery.
In addition to veterinary medicine, he has been a breeder of Portuguese Water Dogs since 2002, with the affix Águas Bravas, and also has an interest in bonsai and photography.
Luísa Filipe
Veterinary Doctor
Dr. Luísa Filipe graduated in Veterinary Medicine from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Lisbon in 1999. She has devoted her career mainly to surgery, with a special focus on soft tissue surgery.Over the years, he has attended several training courses in this field, also deepening his knowledge of anaesthesia, notably through a course at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB).
His main areas of interest are veterinary surgery and anaesthesiology.
In his spare time, he finds balance in practising Tai Chi and walking by the sea with his English bulldogs.
Ana Chaves
Veterinary Doctor
Dr Ana Chaves completed her degree in Veterinary Medicine at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Lisbon in 2009.Throughout her professional career, she has been part of several clinical teams, notably at the Laranjeiras Veterinary Hospital, the Cacém Veterinary Centre and, more recently, the Tapada das Mercês Veterinary Hospital, where she currently works.
Academically, he has furthered his knowledge in complementary areas of veterinary medicine, namely through a postgraduate degree in Soft Tissue Surgery from Improve International, courses in abdominal ultrasound (at Lusófona University and the Mata de Santa Iria Veterinary Hospital), a postgraduate degree in Intervention in Behavioural Disorders in Companion Animals and Ethology from the Portuguese Institute of Psychology, and, more recently, training in Veterinary Oncology from ESAVS.
She has a particular interest in the areas of imaging, soft tissue surgery, behavioural medicine, abdominal ultrasound and oncology.
Catarina Ribeiro
Veterinary Doctor
Dr. Catarina Ribeiro completed her degree in Veterinary Medicine at the Lusófona University of Humanities and Technologies in 2021. During her academic career, she completed her curricular internship at the Arrábida Veterinary Hospital and the Arrábida Animal Rehabilitation Centre (CRAA).She has been part of the Tapada das Mercês Veterinary Hospital team since July 2021. She attended the Postgraduate Course in Emergency Medicine and Surgery at Improve International, continuing her ongoing training.
Her main areas of interest include physiotherapy and rehabilitation, internal medicine, and emergency medicine.
Daniela Branco
Veterinary Doctor
Dr Daniela completed her training in 2025 at the University of Évora and joined the team at OneVet Veterinary Hospital in Tapada das Mercês the following year.From an early age, she developed a strong connection to the animal world, having grown up surrounded by various animals. As a child, she was encouraged by her grandparents to look after the farm’s chickens and rabbits, learning from a very young age the importance of respect, dedication and animal welfare.
This journey contributed to the development of a strong vocation for veterinary medicine, which she practises with professionalism, sensitivity and commitment. She shows a particular interest in the fields of orthopaedics and animal behaviour, constantly seeking to deepen her knowledge and provide excellent care.
Eduarda Casimiro
Veterinary Doctor
Dr. Eduarda Casimiro completed her degree in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro in 2024.During her academic career, she completed internships in Portugal and abroad, including an internship at Clinique Vétérinaire CRECS in France, focusing on small animal reproduction.
She joined OneVet Veterinary Hospital in Tapada das Mercês as a veterinary assistant, and since February 2025 she has been part of the medical team.
Her main areas of interest are surgery and reproduction, and she keeps up to date by participating in training courses and scientific events, such as the Montenegro International Veterinary Congress – “Imagiologia Sem Segredos” (Imaging Without Secrets), and seminars in the areas of paediatrics, feline medicine and first aid for companion animals.
Carolina Santos
Veterinary Doctor
Dr Carolina completed her Integrated Master’s Degree in Veterinary Medicine in July 2024 at the Vasco da Gama University School in Coimbra, and joined the team at OneVet Veterinary Hospital in Tapada das Mercês the following year.During his academic career, he developed a particular interest in small animal and equine medicine, having completed several placements in these fields, including an Erasmus programme at the San Rossore Veterinary Clinic in Italy.
His main areas of interest are dermatology and diagnostic imaging, specifically ultrasound and endoscopy.
Sofia Monteiro
Veterinary Doctor
Dr Sofia Monteiro completed her degree in Veterinary Medicine at the Lusófona University of Lisbon in March 2024.During her academic and professional career, she developed an interest in veterinary cardiology, having completed internships in this area, as well as working in outpatient cardiology. She also worked as a general medicine intern at the Lusófona University Veterinary Hospital.
In July 2025, she joined the team at OneVet Veterinary Hospital in Tapada das Mercês, where she focuses on consultations, imaging, and cardiology.
Sofia Claudino
Veterinary Doctor
Dr Sofia Claudino completed her training in Veterinary Medicine in 2023. After graduating, she volunteered in São Tomé and Príncipe, where she collaborated on veterinary medical assistance projects for the local community. In 2025, she joined the team at OneVet Veterinary Hospital in Tapada das Mercês.She has a particular interest in the areas of surgery, internal medicine, and ultrasound. She has basic training in ultrasound and participated in an intensive practical experience in Thailand, where she performed elective surgeries, namely sterilizations on dogs and cats, for two weeks. She also has a special fondness for feline medicine and values close contact with guardians.
Mercedes Santamaria
Veterinary Doctor
Dr Mercedes Santamaria graduated in Veterinary Medicine from the Faculty of León in 1995. During her studies, she took part in an Erasmus programme in Portugal in 1993. The daughter of veterinarians, she grew up surrounded by the clinical environment, which sparked her passion for the profession from an early age.With a solid professional background, she has worked at several veterinary clinics and hospitals in the Greater Lisbon area, including the Estefânia Veterinary Hospital. In 2023, she joined the team at the Tapada das Mercês Veterinary Hospital.
Her main areas of interest include surgery and feline medicine, on which she has been focusing her clinical practice.
In her free time, she enjoys travelling and practising yoga, an activity she shares with her dog.
Mariana Vilhena
Veterinary Doctor
Dr Mariana completed her Integrated Master’s Degree in Veterinary Medicine in November 2025 at Lusófona University, and joined the team at OneVet Veterinary Hospital in Tapada das Mercês that same year.Her contact with animals began at an early age, at the age of 7, through horse riding, an experience that helped foster a strong connection with the animal world.
At the same time, she took part in various voluntary activities, notably her role as a coordinator for beach clean-up initiatives and providing IT support to older people. These experiences enabled her to develop essential skills, such as communication, empathy and a sense of responsibility.
She shows a particular interest in the fields of cardiology and soft tissue surgery, constantly seeking to deepen her knowledge and provide excellent veterinary care.
Jéssica Kalayci
Veterinary Doctor
Veterinary Nurse & Veterinary Assistant
Joana Silva
Veterinary Nurse
Joana Silva completed her degree in Veterinary Nursing at IPLUSO in 2024. During her internship, she joined the team at OneVet Veterinary Hospital in Tapada das Mercês, where she currently works as a veterinary nurse.She has a particular interest in surgery and anaesthesia, having already attended the Emergency and Feline Medicine course at the VetNurse Update congress.
In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with friends.
Joana Pedro
Veterinary Nurse
Joana Costa Pedro completed her Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Nursing at the Egas Moniz School of Health and Science. She undertook her clinical placement at a veterinary hospital, where she acquired and consolidated her skills in a hospital setting, within a demanding and multidisciplinary environment.She shows a particular interest in the areas of surgery, anaesthesia, animal behaviour and welfare, demonstrating a strong motivation for continuous learning and the development of her skills, with the aim of contributing to the provision of excellent care.
Rafaela Caldeira
Veterinary Nurse
Rafaela Caldeira completed her degree in Veterinary Nursing in 2024 at the Castelo Branco School of Agriculture.She undertook her final placement at a veterinary hospital, where she subsequently had the opportunity to begin her professional career.
In 2025, she joined the team, with her main areas of interest being emergency and intensive care, the management of hospitalised patients and feline medicine — areas in which she intends to continue developing and deepening her knowledge.
Sandra Gaspar
Veterinary Assistant
Sandra Gaspar joined the team at OneVet Veterinary Hospital in Tapada das Mercês in 2017, where she currently works in coordination and customer service at the reception desk.Teresa Sá
Veterinary Assistant
Teresa Sá began her academic career at the Alcoitão School of Health, where she completed her degree in Physiotherapy in 1997. After 14 years of dedication to human health, she decided to follow her true passion: animals.This change led her to enrol in the Veterinary Technical Assistant course at Master D, complementing her training with the First Aid for Companion Animals course.
She is currently part of the team at OneVet Veterinary Hospital in Tapada das Mercês, working as a veterinary assistant.
Marina Leal
Veterinary Nurse
Marina Leal completed her Veterinary Medicine Assistant course and did her internship at Onevet Veterinary Hospital in Tapada das Mercês, where she has been part of the team since March 2020.He has a special interest in felines, nutrition and animal welfare, areas in which he continues to deepen his knowledge.
For over 14 years, he has been actively collaborating with the Cascais City Council in feeding, monitoring and treating colonies of stray animals, contributing significantly to the welfare of the municipality’s animal population.
Diana Guerra
Veterinary Nurse
Diana Guerra completed her Veterinary Medicine Assistant course at Master D in 2023. In 2024, she joined the team at OneVet Veterinary Hospital in Tapada das Mercês.She has been around animals since she was a child, having had several throughout her life, which sparked her desire to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.
She has a particular interest in inpatient work, where she is dedicated to the care and well-being of recovering patients.
In her free time, she enjoys walking outdoors and going to the beach with her dog Mimosa, an energetic beagle.
Lisa Faria
Veterinary Assistant
Lisa Faria has consolidated experience in customer service and a strong interest in the animal health sector. In 2024, she completed her veterinary assistant course. She has knowledge of nutrition, training, medication, environmental enrichment, and handling of companion and exotic animals, with a special focus on birds and reptiles.Throughout her career, she has worked in different areas, including catering and retail, where she developed communication, teamwork and event management skills. She also has experience in volunteering, having collaborated with educational and environmental projects in the Sintra community.
In 2025, she joined the team at Onevet Veterinary Hospital in Tapada das Mercês as a veterinary assistant.
Andreia Simões
Veterinary Assistant
Andreia Simões completed the Advanced Professional Course in Veterinary Assistance with a specialisation in Shearing and Grooming between 2021 and 2023. Her training combines technical knowledge with practical experience in animal care and grooming services.She joined the team at Onevet Veterinary Hospital in Tapada das Mercês in 2024.
Her professional career also includes experience as a Health Assistant Technician in leading hospitals such as Hospital CUF Tejo and Hospital D. Estefânia, which gave her a solid foundation in care and welfare.
Marina Melo
Veterinary Assistant
Marina Melo completed the Veterinary Medicine Assistant course at Master D in 2024, after several years of professional experience in the commercial area of the food sector. Her passion for animals led her to change direction and devote herself to veterinary health.She completed her curricular internship at OneVet Veterinary Hospital in Tapada das Mercês, where she joined the team in 2024. She shows interest in all aspects of clinical work, with a special focus on surgery.
In her free time, she enjoys walking her dog Eleven, going to the cinema, reading and spending time with her family.
Rajesh Lamas
Veterinary Assistant
Rajesh Lama has a degree in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (Nepal).He currently lives in Lisbon and is studying to become a Veterinary Assistant at Efuturo Academy, having already completed the theoretical component. He is fluent in English and has a good level of communication in Portuguese.
He is a dedicated person who enjoys working with animals and is motivated to grow in the field of animal health and welfare.
Carolina Marques
Veterinary Assistant
Carolina Marques completed her veterinary assistant course at Nubika in 2026 and, in the same year, seized the opportunity to join the team at OneVet Hospital in Tapada das Mercês. After a few years working in sales, she decided to change direction and pursue her passion: caring for our four-legged friends. In her spare time, she finds balance in walks in nature with her dog and in craftwork.José Barreto
Veterinary Assistant
José Barreto is a Veterinary Assistant and Groomer, with a degree in Biology from São Miguel University. He joined the team at Tapada das Mercês Veterinary Hospital in 2022.In addition to his clinical work, he is also an environmental educator.
He is passionate about exotic animals, hiking, and camping.
João Sousa
Veterinary Assistant
Cândida Silva
Veterinary Assistant
In 2025, after 23 years, she switched from working in human medicine as a medical information officer to studying to become a veterinary assistant.As animals have always been her passion,
she has a particular love for cats and volunteers at organisations that care for them.
In March 2026, she joined the Tapada das Mercês Veterinary Hospital as a veterinary assistant, where she will do her utmost to care for the animals and their owners.
Sandra Oliveira
Operational Manager
Sandra Marina Oliveira has 25 years’ experience in the printing industry, where she has worked as a binding and finishing operator (level 1).After the company where she worked closed down, she joined Onevet, not only as a new professional opportunity, but as a way of fulfilling her interest in working in an environment connected with animals.
She is currently part of the support team, contributing daily to the care of the animals and the smooth running of the facility. She remains committed to continuing her professional development, steering her career towards a role dedicated to the animal sector.
Paula Oliveira
Operational Manager
Paula Oliveira has a degree in Law from Lusíada University in Lisbon. She attended the Advanced Management Programme for Animal Health Companies at the Catholic Lisbon School of Business & Economics and has participated in various training courses and conferences in the areas of veterinary business management, customer service, high-performance team performance, first aid, fire protection and team leadership.She holds a Certificate of Pedagogical Competence (CCP), obtained through AERLIS, as part of the trainer training course.
In 2004, she served as Director of HomeVet. She currently holds the position of Operational Manager at Onevet Hospital Veterinário Tapada das Mercês.
A cat lover and passionate about dogs, especially Portuguese breeds, she has been breeding Portuguese Water Dogs since 2002, under the affix Águas Bravas.
