Meet Our Veterinarians & Veterinary Staff
Our veterinarians and staff are made up of a unique group of talented individuals who all have one common goal: deliver the best care to you and your pet. Get to know more about them below and don't forget to request an appointment to meet them all in person!
Dr. Monica
Medical Director & Owner
A native New Yorker, Dr. Dijanic (aka Dr. Monica), moved to Connecticut in 2006. She got her start as a teenager over 20 years ago first as a kennel assistant then as a veterinary technician in Brooklyn, NY where she grew up. Dr. Monica has strong interests in internal medicine, feline medicine, senior care, and integrative medicine. She successfully completed the Integrative Veterinary Medical Institute’s Veterinary Medical Manipulation course in 2018 and is a Certified Veterinary Medical Manipulation Practitioner. She lives in Vernon with her husband and her four dogs, Wilson, Lady Rowan, Sugar, and Autumn, and her four cats, Aries, Corwin, Orion, and Tiberius. When not snuggled up with a dog, cat, and book, you're likely to find her at yoga or a Hartford Wolfpack game.
Dr. Asher
Medical Director & Owner
Dr. Howard Asher graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2004. He grew up in Norwalk, CT and attended the University of Massachusetts where he majored in pre-veterinarian studies. During his college years, Dr. Asher was an officer in the University of Massachusetts’s Outing Club. In this position, he led many activities such as hiking, caving, and canoeing.
Justin
Practice Manager
My name is Justin Cotto & I am the Practice Manager for Beaver Brook Animal Hospital. Over the course of my career, I have managed retail locations, General Practice Veterinary hospitals & a 24-hour Emergency/Specialty Veterinary Practice. I attended SUNY Farmingdale with a focus on Computer Science. I am proud to provide support for the Beaver Brook Animal Hospital staff as well as clientele!
Lindsay
Licensed Veterinary Technician and Veterinary Nurse Supervisor
When Lindsay first fell in love with working in the animal field, she was a middle-school volunteer at a small nature center. She graduated from Middlesex Community College in 2020 and received a degree with honors in veterinary technology. She passed her Veterinary Technician National Exam and successfully became a licensed technician. She has a passion for senior animals, physical therapy, and palliative care. Lindsay is also our Veterinary Nurse Supervisor, and she uses her position to promote a continued high level of care to our patients. She enjoys reading and snuggling with her two cats.
Natasha
Senior Veterinary Nurse and Safety Officer
Natasha loves her job because she could never have a bad day with all the cute dog and cat faces she gets to see all day! At home, Natasha has two adorable dogs, Bentley the Yorkie and Tiger the Pitbull, as well as Dexter the ferret who gets into everything.
Madison
Veterinary Technician
Madison graduated from University of New England in 2017 to pursue a career in marine sciences. After college, Madison realized her love for land animals and started a career in veterinary medicine. Land animals have certainly grown on Madison as she has since adopted 5 cats (Norman, Haven, Wilder, Colby, Salem). Madison likes to spend her days off snuggling with her fur babies, reading, and enjoying nature during the warm months.
Sam
Nurse Assistant
Sam has been involved in veterinary medicine throughout the East Coast, from Florida to Ohio and now Connecticut! When she’s not working, she can be found on the hunt for collectible coins or playing with her sweet Frenchie ‘Ivy-Lynn’.
Reier
Nurse Assistant
Reier has been drawn to the company of animals his entire life. From growing up in various 4-H programs to working in a dog daycare and Veterinary hospitals, nothing is quite as fulfilling as helping animals reach their healthiest, happiest potential. In zir free time, ze can be found sinking into a good book of poetry, studying language and metaphysics, or working on zir various creative projects
Jaz
Customer Service Representative
Jasper spent the first decades of his life in rural Pennsylvania, working on the farms with livestock. After spending some time in Maryland, he went north to Connecticut to further his career as a dog trainer. For the past few years, he's also worked at the reception desk in both emergency and general practice vet hospitals. He has a fondness for all animals, and has four dogs at home (Sushi, TaterTot, Fae, and Fenris) as well as a leopard gecko (Kobold). When not at work, he's usually competing in events with his dogs, or going on hikes across New England's trails.
David
Senior Kennel Attendant and Inventory Manager
David is a native Nutmegger, who has a great interest in Marine Bio and aquatic wildlife. David joined the Beaver Brook team in May 2022 as a kennel attendant. Seeing all the dogs and cats never fails to make his day. On David's off days, he can be found playing hockey, solving puzzles, and spending time with his cat Henrik!
Shannon
Kennel Attendant
Shannon grew up in Connecticut and graduated from UCONN in 2017 with a degree in Animal Science. She went on to work in the pet relocation industry, helping clients move out of the country with their furry family members. She then managed a pet boarding facility before joining the Beaver Brook team. She spends her days off with her Australian Cattle Dog mix, Beckett, and enjoys playing pickleball and watching Disney movies.”
Blake
Groomer
Blake has a very special place in her heart for all animals. Her mornings are spent in the company of her furry friends at a dog daycare, and in the afternoon Blake enjoys one on one time with each dog she grooms. Blake?s approach to grooming is to build trust and a bond with each dog. She uses calming music, aromatherapy, and a PawMat that brings relaxation and comfort to the grooming environment.
Her grooms include a treat, a potty break, and lots of love. She loves all breeds, ages, and sizes of dogs. Blake is Pet First Aid & CPR certified and is also building her knowledge in canine skin science. She holds a certificate for completing The Many Faces of Jess Rona grooming course, which focuses on the details and techniques of face shaping in a way that complements each individual dogs personality. She continues to seek ways to build her skills and education. She is so happy to be a part of the Beaver Brook Team! When Blake is not working she enjoys staying active at the boxing gym. She also enjoys spending time watching movies, exploring thrift stores, and dreaming of her first dog!