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.

Blanka Molnar

Holistic Therapist

Blanka Molnar is a Holistic Therapist, Family Constellation Practitioner, Coach, and Founder of Awarenest. A multilingual professional, Blanka is passionate about helping parents cultivate greater emotional awareness and connection so that a mentally, physically, and... emotionally healthier generation can grow up. Guided by her mission to “contribute to raising a mentally, physically, and emotionally healthier generation—and it all starts with us, the parents,” Blanka empowers families to build stronger relationships and raise happier, more fulfilled children. In addition to her work with families, Blanka also serves as a pet loss grief counselor, offering compassionate support to individuals and families as they navigate the deep emotions that come with saying goodbye to a beloved animal companion.show more

Dr. Pam Cohen

Applied Social Scientist / Behavioral Researcher

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... show more

Dr. Amanda McCasland

CodaPet Veterinarian

Dr. Amanda McCasland is a compassionate veterinarian based in Owasso, Oklahoma, with over a decade of experience providing in-home pet euthanasia and aftercare services for families in the Tulsa area. She grew up on a... show more

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... show more

Angela Sims

Pet Loss Grief Counselor

Angela Sims is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. She earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Texas Tech University and has since gained extensive experience in diverse settings... including juvenile justice, inpatient hospitalization, and nonprofit organizations. Drawing from a range of evidence-based modalities and techniques—such as EMDR, CBT, ACT, and somatic-attachment approaches—Angela tailors her therapeutic work to meet each client’s unique needs. She supports individuals coping with grief and loss, trauma and PTSD, anxiety, depression, life transitions, cancer or chronic illness, caregiving challenges, and relationship concerns. Angela is deeply committed to creating a therapeutic environment that is inclusive, affirming, and respectful of all backgrounds, identities, and cultures. In her work with CodaPet, she brings this same compassionate and individualized approach to helping people navigate the profound grief that accompanies the loss of a beloved pet.show more

Dr. Nathan Barclay

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Nathan Barclay is a licensed clinical psychologist practicing at The Coping Resource Center in Houston, Texas. With expertise in grief, trauma, and interpersonal issues, he has provided therapy for a wide variety of people... in many different settings, including the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine. His work focuses on helping individuals navigate the often-complex process of grieving, emphasizing self-compassion, resilience, and the importance of honoring both the pain and the healing journey. Dr. Barclay's passion for grief work was further shaped during his postdoctoral fellowship at Houston Methodist, where he provided specialized support to healthcare providers coping with loss. He is committed to helping individuals reconnect with their values, work through painful emotional challenges, and achieve lasting well-being.show more

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... show more

Dr. Cara Gordon

CodaPet Veterinarian

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.show more

Kimberly Blair

Clinical Hypnotherapist

Kimberly Blair is a holistic practitioner based in San Diego, where she supports individuals through grief, stress, and life transitions. She holds a background in psychology and an MBA, along with credentials in Clinical Hypnotherapy,... Conscious Connected Breathwork, Grief Counseling, Sound Therapy, and Reiki. Through her practices in La Jolla and Pacific Beach, Kimberly creates a safe and compassionate space for healing—helping clients release emotional burdens, reconnect with purpose, and cultivate resilience. Her work blends professional expertise with a deeply human approach, empowering people to move through loss while finding strength and renewal.show more

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.show more

Erica Messer

Pet Loss Educator | Creator of Award-Winning Sympathy Gifts

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”show more

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.show more