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Meet your Veterinarians

Veterinarian

Dr. Nicole Fortin

Education: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and Saint George's School of Veterinary Medicine

Nicole Fortin founded Back Cove Animal Hospital with her husband Matthew in 2019. Nicole graduated from St. George's University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her clinical training at Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine and her undergraduate degree at the University of Richmond. Nicole grew up in New Jersey but has traveled extensively before settling in Maine. Her special veterinary interests include geriatric care and internal medicine. Nicole enjoys riding horses, and loves yoga and hiking with Bowie, her Chinese Crested and Atticus, her Newfoundland. 

Veterinarian

Dr. Matthew Fortin

Education: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

Having worked as a relief veterinarian throughout Southern Maine, Matthew is excited to be working with Nicole at their own practice! Matthew graduated from Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine and completed his undergraduate degree at Colgate University.  He is originally from Connecticut, and always loved visiting family and friends in Maine while growing up.  He has volunteered extensively with numerous humane and shelter organizations. His special veterinary interests include pain management and ultrasound. Matthew enjoys skiing, mountain biking, sailing, SCUBA diving and hiking Maine's beautiful wilderness. 

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Dr. Tanya Strickland

Education: Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine

Dr Tanya Strickland graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008 and spent the next 15 years practicing in Colorado. After several years as an emergency vet, Dr Strickland made the move to general practice and has been loving the long term relationships she has formed with families and their beloved pets. A New Jersey native, Dr Strickland is thrilled to be back on the east coast. She has special interests in dentistry, surgery, and senior care. In her spare time, Dr Strickland loves cooking, gardening, and spending time with her husband, 3 dogs, 2 cats, and parrot.

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Dr. Neena Golden

Education: Oregon State University and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Neena Golden is a graduate of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her clinical year at Oregon State University. She received her Bachelor's degree at University of New Haven in Biology. She grew up in Connecticut but started the first four years of her career in Vermont.  In practice, Dr. Golden has developed a passion for soft tissue surgery and really enjoys foreign body/intestinal surgery the most. She also spent two years doing emergency/critical care where she further advanced her skill set. One heartfelt story you can find is a CNN article about a dog that she helped during her time in Oregon. She was doing an externship at Dove Lewis in Portland, OR and saved a dog who was just minutes away from euthanasia, solving a mystery diagnosis of "tick paralysis". Her goal as a doctor is to offer the best standard of care for both the animal and owners while building a client doctor relationship along the way.
Her fur family includes of two cats named Milo and Maple, and three dogs: a Great Dane named Moose, a Doberman named Diesel and a Lab mix named Koda.  Maple, the newest addition- is a tiny adventure cat that goes outdoors on any activity we can go in her backpack. She also has tons of fish in her 2 freshwater tanks. In her free time she enjoys camping, cooking and fishing.

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Dr. Monica Norman

Education: Oklahoma State University School of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Monica Norman received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Oklahoma State University in 1994. Monica was raised on a dairy farm in Sidney Maine and graduated from Messalonskee High school. Dr. Norman has done volunteer work with the Marine Animal Lifeline and the New Hampshire Disaster Animal Response Team. Dr. Norman currently lives on Peaks Island.

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Dr. Kristen Cohen

Education: University of Minnesota and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Kristin Cohen is a graduate of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her clinical studies at the University of Minnesota. She received her Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Technology and worked as a technician for several years before going to veterinary school. Dr. Cohen completed an Internship in Long Island, NY where she stayed and worked a few years before moving back to New England to be closer to family. Dr. Cohen's interests include emergency medicine and procedures and toxicology. In her free time, Dr. Cohen enjoys walking her dog Kinky, an island dog from St. Kitts and spending time in Portland with her 2 boys and husband.

Meet your Veterinary Team

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Kate B.

Practice Manager

Kate joined the BCAH  team as our technician team leader, September 2020 and she can’t be more excited to lead a compassionate and caring team of veterinary technicians on the Back Cove. She has over 20 years of experience in veterinary medicine including general practice, emergency and specialty services. She has a special interest in internal medicine, preventative care  and hospice/palliative care for senior pets. Kate lives with her pup, Scout and 8 fabulous chickens in Gorham( currently taking applications for a cat) Kate also loves watching wild birds do their thing at feeders, working in  her gardens and paddling around the Presumpscot on her stand up paddle board.

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Richele

Veterinary Technician

Richele earned her LVT in 2018 after graduating from UMA-Bangor. She also has a degree in biological anthropology. In her spare time, Richele enjoys traveling with her husband, hiking with her Plott hound, Molly, and watching TV with her cat, Smoak.

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Tori

Veterinary Assistant

Tori is originally from Maine but has lived in North Carolina for the past two years. She has always loved animals and the work she has done in veterinary medicine thus far has only assured her that the path she has chosen is exactly what she wants to do with her life. At home she is kept busy with many family friends including a cat named CeCe, a dog named Shea, a green-winged macaw named Duke, and two more recent additions to the family - Addie, the spoiled princess puppy, and Blitz the bearded dragon. 

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Leanne

Veterinary Technician

Leann has been a veterinary technician for over 15 years. She is originally from Massachusetts, she first got started in the veterinary field when she was in high school through the veterinary explorer's program. She attended Southern Vermont College. She worked for a 24-hour general practice/emergency hospital in the Berkshires, she remained there for 12 years. When she moved to Maine in 2016 she worked in both specialty hospitals and general medicine. She also has a background in human medicine and also has her certification in phlebotomy. She resides in Portland with her Basset Hound named Grace and her fiance . In her free time, you can find her at the beach either fishing or taking Grace on her adventures.

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Brie
Client Care

Brie is a PA native who is happy to be here! Her favorite pets to see are brachycephalic (snort!) and/or senior dogs & orange or Sphynx cats. She is passionate about helping people take the best care of their pets. At home she has a rescue cat Cheeto, a cockatiel Gizzy she raised from an egg, and a fancy goldfish named Frankenweenie AKA Fatty Glub Glub.

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Savannah

Client Care

Bio coming soon!

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Charlotte

Veterinary Assistant

Charlotte grew up in the north of England, and moved to America in 2018. She started her career with animals by volunteering at the MSPCA spay and neuter clinic. She enjoys spending time with her husband and guinea pigs, arts and crafts, and traveling.

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Madison K.

Grooming

Madison was born and raised in Southern Maine and left to attend college in San Antonio, TX. After finding her passion working with animals at a boarding facility, she attended Grooming Academy in Massachusetts in 2018. Madison continues to attend grooming shows and expo’s to further her grooming skills. She practices one-on-one, cage free grooming and understands the importance of moving with the animal, making it a more calming experience for the pet. She relocated to Bath, ME with her boyfriend and two Greyhounds, Casper and Cherry. They spend their free time walking around local shops, drinking coffee at the park and traveling. She hopes to one day open a safe-haven organization for retired and disabled Greyhounds.

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Kevin

Clinic Cat

Kevin came to us from the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland. Kevin loves laying the in sun, playing with feather toys, watching The Office and greeting new patients. Come on in and meet Kevin!

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Katie

Veterinary Technician

Katie earned her LVT after graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 2016. In her spare time she loves to read and spend time outdoors on the family farm. She recently adopted her kitty Freyja (pictured) and has a horse named Shasta that she rescued in 2010.

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Maureen

Veterinary Technician

Maureen began her career in animal welfare over 15 years ago and has worked both in SPCA and general practice clinics. With an affinity for all companion animals big and small, she has developed a special interest in dentistry and feline medicine. After moving to Maine from Massachusetts in 2015, she and her husband spend their free time hiking, camping, listening to music and catering to their beloved cat Tony.

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Lily

Veterinary Technician

Lily started working in veterinary medicine 10 years ago, and she knew immediately that she was where she belonged. A life long Mainer, she is incredible in-doorsy, but she loves palm trees and sand.  Her hobbies include listening to Christmas music too early, and loving all things ocean and Disney. Lily lives in Yarmouth with her tiny poodle army, Scupper and Minnie, and her special needs hamster, Clarence. 

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Hannah

Veterinary Assistant

Hannah graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. After returning home to VT, they moved to Portland in April 2021. They're passionate about both plant and animal biology, and in their spare time you can find them sitting on the Eastern Prom, making music, playing D&D, or working on various arts and crafts.

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Madison D.

Client Care

Bio coming soon!

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Dorothy

Veterinary Technician

Bio coming soon!

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