Our team consists of 12 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 dedicated her career mainly to the field of 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 free time, he finds balance in practising Tai Chi and walking by the sea with his English bulldogs.
Ana Chaves
Veterinary Doctor
Dr Ana Chaves graduated in Veterinary Medicine from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Lisbon in 2009.Throughout his professional career, he 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 he 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.
He 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 graduated in Veterinary Medicine from 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).He has been part of the Tapada das Mercês Veterinary Hospital team since July 2021. He attended the Postgraduate Course in Emergency Medicine and Surgery at Improve International, continuing his ongoing training.
His main areas of interest include physiotherapy and rehabilitation, internal medicine, and emergency medicine.
In addition to veterinary medicine, she also enjoys spending time with her family and friends and going on long walks in the countryside with her pack.
Afonso Coelho
Veterinary Doctor
Dr. Afonso Coelho graduated in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro in 2024. In 2025, he joined the team at OneVet Veterinary Hospital in Tapada das Mercês, where he currently works as a veterinarian.His main areas of interest are surgery, orthopaedics and imaging, areas in which he seeks to continue developing professionally. He has completed courses in anaesthesia, emergencies and ultrasound at Oneacademy.
In his free time, he enjoys playing paddle tennis, an activity that allows him to maintain a balance between his professional and personal life.
Eduarda Casimiro
Veterinary Doctor
Dr. Eduarda Casimiro graduated in Veterinary Medicine from 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 – ‘Imaging Without Secrets’ – and seminars in the areas of paediatrics, feline medicine and first aid for companion animals.
Sofia Monteiro
Veterinary Doctor
Dr Sofia Monteiro graduated in Veterinary Medicine from 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.
Diana Rodrigues
Veterinary Doctor
Dr. Diana Rodrigues graduated in Veterinary Medicine from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Lisbon in 2025. In the same year, she joined the team at OneVet Veterinary Hospital in Tapada das Mercês, where she currently works as a veterinary doctor.During her academic career, she completed a curricular internship at the Isolation and Biological Containment Unit of FMV.
With an interest in areas such as internal medicine, intensive care, and clinical nutrition, she remains committed to continuing education, having already attended training courses in emergency care, preventive nutrition, and basic life support.
Sofia Claudino
Veterinary Doctor
A Dr.ª Sofia Claudino concluiu a sua formação em Medicina Veterinária em 2023. Após a licenciatura, fez voluntariado em São Tomé e Príncipe, onde colaborou em projetos de assistência médico-veterinária à comunidade local. Em 2025, juntou-se à equipa do OneVet Hospital Veterinário da Tapada das Mercês.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 focused her clinical practice.
In her free time, she enjoys travelling and practising yoga, an activity she shares with her dog.
Alexandra Aragão
Veterinary Doctor
Dr. Alexandra Aragão graduated in Veterinary Medicine from the Lusófona University of Humanities and Technologies in 2023.Throughout his academic and professional career, he has completed several internships in various units. These internships have allowed him to develop practical experience in monitoring consultations, treatments and care for hospitalised animals, as well as in surgery.
His areas of interest include internal medicine and hospital care.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rafaela Bento
Veterinary Assistant
Rafael Bento completed his Veterinary Medicine Assistant course at Nubika school in 2024. He did his curricular internship at OneVet Veterinary Hospital in Tapada das Mercês, where he joined the team that same year.He entered the world of veterinary medicine with the aim of getting to know animals better and deepening his connection with them. He has a special interest in feline medicine, an area in which he seeks to continue learning.
In his free time, he enjoys listening to music and has been playing the guitar for over 20 years, a passion he cultivates with dedication.
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.
Ana Carolina
Veterinary Assistant
Ana Carolina completed her Veterinary Medicine Assistant course at Master D in 2023. She completed her curricular internship at OneVet Veterinary Hospital in Tapada das Mercês, where she joined the team in 2024.She has a particular interest in hospitalisation, an area where she enjoys closely monitoring the progress and recovery of patients.
In her free time, she enjoys drawing and has a special fondness for exotic animals, which she also likes to interact with outside of her professional context.
Stella Brinza
Cleaning Assistant
Stella Brinza is originally from Moldova and has a background in nursing. She is currently part of the team at OneVet Veterinary Hospital in Tapada das Mercês, where she works as a cleaning assistant.With her experience and dedication, she contributes daily to maintaining a clean, safe and welcoming environment for patients, guardians and clinical staff.
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.
