Meet Our Veterinary Experts
At CodaPet, our articles are written by experienced veterinarians who specialize in end-of-life care for pets. Dr. Bethany and Dr. Karen, our co-founders, bring their deep knowledge and compassion to every piece, ensuring you receive trusted guidance during difficult times. Explore their insights and expertise as they help you navigate this important journey with care and understanding.
If you'd like to learn more, please email info@codapet.com.
Dr. Pam Cohen
Applied Social Scientist / Behavioral Researcher / Social Impact Strategist / ForbesWomen
Pam Cohen is a behavioral research scientist with expertise in predictive analytics. She combines qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to create measurement systems and analyze data on workplace sentiment and engagement, family friendly policies, corporate reputation, and social responsibility, linking those and other relevantintangibles to key performance outcomes. Her teaching and research is focused on applications of behavioral economics and social psychology.
Codapet
CodaPet is dedicated to honoring that bond by celebrating the lives of the pets we cherish and providing resources, support, and love as they approach the end of their lives. We want to help them pass away peacefully, surrounded by the love and care they deserve.
Dr. Gary Hsia
Co-Founder, Codapet
Dr. Gary graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. After graduation, he moved west. Dr. Gary spent a year at a mixed animal practice in Oregon before moving to Fresno where he worked at All Creatures Veterinary Clinic from 2011-2021.
Cara Gordon
DVM
Dr. Cara Gordon is a dedicated veterinarian who proudly hails from the state of Oklahoma. She pursued her education at the esteemed Oklahoma State University, where she completed both her undergraduate degree and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Although she has also spent time in Texas and California, Dr. Gordon now considers Oklahoma her home, where she is committed to providing compassionate care to the beloved animal companions of the area. Dr. Gordon's passion for animals has been a lifelong journey that began at a very young age. Her deep love and curiosity for the animal kingdom led her to pursue a veterinary degree, and she is determined to use her knowledge to benefit the well-being of our furry friends. Dr. Gordon's goal is to offer the best possible care to pets, ensuring their health and happiness. Outside of her veterinary profession, Dr. Gordon finds solace in reconnecting with the great outdoors, indulging in horseback riding, and spending quality time with her loved ones. The sweet pup pictured was her best friend and loyal companion, her beloved beagle named Enzo who passed in 2024. With her commitment to compassionate care and her strong connection to Oklahoma, Dr. Cara Gordon is a trusted and caring veterinarian dedicated to the well-being of pets in her community.
Dr. Bethany Hsia
Co-Founder, Codapet
Dr. Bethany Hsia has been practicing veterinary medicine since 2010. Dr. Bethany graduated from University of Illinois' College of Veterinary Medicine with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Prior to her graduate degree, Dr. Bethany studied at San Francisco State University earning her Bachelor of Science in Biology and a double minor in Chemistry and in Speech and Communications. Throughout her 13 year career in the veterinary field, Dr. Bethany has worked in private practice, shelter medicine and in the veterinary department of a local college. She now devotes her time, skills, and passion to helping pets and their families through in-home euthanasia. Dr. Bethany provided her first in-home euthanasia for an elderly dog in 2011 and truly believes it is one of the best options for end of life pet care. This is what drives her to make in-home euthanasia available to every pet parent who desires it. She strongly believes a peaceful passing is the last gift we give our pets and that it's a gift best given at home. Even as a child, Bethany sought to calm and comfort animals, keeping many common childhood pets and occasionally tending injured wildlife. Her interest in medicine and design of the immune system was sparked during an undergraduate course titled "Disease!" In her spare time Dr. Bethany enjoys writing and is an active author on the CodaPet resource page, writing about pet euthanasia, pet loss, dog and cat end of life care. She also likes reading, running but most of all spending time with her young family. In addition, she spends time with her hobby ranch which boasts 1 dog, 1 turtle, 2 snacks, 4 cats, 5 goats, and 20+ chickens, a salt-water tank and a foster pup with a broken leg…who will likely “foster fail” and become a permanent addition to the family.
Erica Messer
Pet Loss Educator | Creator of Award-Winning Sympathy Gifts | Author | International Speaker | Podcaster | Featured on ABC7 & QVC
Erica is a certified pet bereavement specialist and coach. She leads a free monthly virtual support group and is an in-demand international speaker. With clinical musical training, Erica helps people navigate their grief through the healing power of music. Her artistic talents also shine through hand-painted pet portraits, showcasing her love for animals and dedication to capturing their spirits on canvas. Erica has thoughtfully created the entire line of Wolfie’s Wish healing products. She also wrote and illustrated “Tails Of Spirit Pets” and “Tails of Spirit Cats” books and most recently released “Maybe I’m Normal: 10 Things I Wish I Knew About Pet Loss”
Dr. Karen Whala
Co-Founder, Codapet | Founder, Peaceful Passing
Dr. Karen Whala founded Peaceful Passing in 2018 after receiving advanced training in the ‘art’ of in-home euthanasia through the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy and is certified Fear Free and has received AAHA Accredited End-of-Life Certification. Dr. Karen believes she has found her purpose and loves learning about how to offer a better experience for pets and pet owners as well as networking with veterinarians who also share a love of this growing field. She annually attends and volunteers at the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC) conference which helps end-of-life veterinarians that are dedicated to advancing the field of end-of-life animal care. After experiencing the clear benefit as a veterinarian in offering in-home euthanasia to grateful pet owners Dr. Karen’s passion for helping veterinarians offer this service led her to co-found CodaPet – A Peaceful Passing At Home, in order to expand nationally. Dr. Karen graduated from the University of California, Davis with both her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Management degree in 1998 and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2006. She began her career practicing veterinary medicine as an ambulatory mixed animal practitioner working with both large animals, small animals and small exotics. She later began working at a full service small animal AAHA certified clinic for 5 years alongside veterinary specialists such as dentists, surgeons and behaviorists. In 2012, after losing her beloved dog Skeeter unexpectedly, she left private practice and decided to work in public health as a USDA veterinarian. Dr. Karen also has a secondary professional interest in veterinary public health and has a Masters in Public Health from the University of Iowa School of Public Health and is Board Certified in Veterinary Preventive Medicine. In her spare time, she loves international travel, backpacking, volunteering at her local church and grocery shopping. After assisting thousands of families navigate the difficult decisions involving euthanasia, she feels blessed to have this opportunity to increase awareness of IHE as an option for pet owners as well as give this gift of economic empowerment, time flexibility and professional fulfillment to fellow veterinarians.
Veterinarians that honor the bond with your pet
Hear from pet parents like you
Overall service rating from over 3919+ reviews
t’s taken me a while to write this review because of how traumatic this experience was for everyone in my household. I elected to use Coda Pet for my dogs end of life services and I will regret that decision for the rest of my life. This is the uber eats of your dogs end of life services. Do better than me, and really research who you’re going with. A couple good reviews aren’t going to cut it in this situation. Dr Meadows was who our assigned doctor was, and he maybe said 5 words during the entire exchange. He comes in, doesn’t make my dogs feel comfortable at all. Or me for that matter! No communication at all. For example I have one dog who barks at people when they walk in, this was known. She never barks for this long at someone, but she just didn’t like his energy, and never relaxed, and I’ll say she wasn’t wrong for that. The entire process felt rushed. My dog who was being put down, was excited to see him, but no love was exchanged. Just “okay sit down, I have to put this needle in” literally. That’s pretty much what he said. My dog didn’t react well to the sedative. This is when the trauma really started. She yelped in pain, her heart immediately racing. She started running around the kitchen, losing her ability to walk. She was scared, heart racing, and it was truly my worst nightmare. The “Dr” sat on his butt on the floor for the ENTIRETY of this happening. Like isn’t this his actual practice?! Why am I the only one trying to console my poor, terrified dog alone? I was the one who had to pick her up and lay her on the bed and literally beg for euthanasia because of how scared she was. And her heart was racing so so badly. Eventually he got off his ass to administer it, and I said goodbye to her in such a horrible way. When it was time for her to be taken out, he got an assistant, who said she was so sorry, but the Dr himself said not one word. Nothing. I was promised compassion from this company, I did not receive it. I was promised dignity for my pet. She did not receive it. I feel robbed. Of a peaceful passing for my baby girl. I feel overcharged for such a disgusting experience. The only people who showed kindness here was the cremation company that they passed her on to. Coda pet would receive negative stars from me if they could. I called a couple days later to express my disgust, and never heard back. But I guess that’s to be expected from the uber eats of pet euthanasia services. No like literally, my dog was taken out in a jeep. Not a “coda pet” official van or anything. Not even dignity there. Needless to say, this is one of the most traumatic things that has ever happened to me and my best friend. I have to find ways to reduce the guilt I have from choosing this company, and I don’t know if I ever can. Book elsewhere, this place should not get any of your money. And do not let them anywhere near your babies.
Dr. Guerrero was absolutely amazing! On one of the hardest days of our lives, she brought a loving, caring, comforting presence into our home and gave our Bandit a peaceful passing. I could not speak more highly of Dr. Guerrero.
Cournety Mills is an angel. Our Kenji was very sick, but kept himself alive for us. It was time to allow him to let go, so we decided for a quiet, in-home euthenasia. Courtney arrived on time and immediately went to where he was laying to interact with him and assure him. Her compassionate and considerate approach and the calm way she carefully explained every step was what we needed. We sat with Kenji and spent the final minutes with him wrapped in his fvorite blanket. The end was peacful. Courtney made the unbearable bearable. We cannot speak highly enough about her.
We are very thankful for CodaPet and the care provided by Dr. Whala. Dr. Whala was very compassionate while providing professional care for our dog.She provided excellent communication and guidance. Losing a family pet (member) is a struggle.Dr Whala helped us and our dog. We are extremely grateful .
I had to put my husband‘s cat to sleep today I couldn’t have asked for more thoughtful, caring, considerate, and compassionate Doctor Brielle. She was understanding and treated Ziva like it was her own. She took her time, explained everything. It was a very hard decision to make, but she made it possible with love. She took her time to make sure Ziva was comfortable. She even brought my other cat Jethro in to make sure he was aware of what was going on. She knew that my husband had just passed away and when she took Ziva to her final resting place, she saw a rainbow and texted me saying that Ziva went over the rainbow and John was waiting to greet her and welcome her home. That meant the world to me . Such a compassionate dr. Thank you for being who you are…. AMAZING
Dr. Jessica was prompt, very sweet, empathetic, patient, accommodating and professional. She helped everyone feel at ease with our decision and the process. As a result, our best most handsome boy Buddy passed peacefully and without any stress or anxiety save for the profound sadness felt by those of us who loved him.
-5Ec1N.jpg&w=96&q=75){kind=small}
Supporting You Every Step of the Way
Here are our frequently asked questions to help you feel fully informed and at ease.