KITTEN MITTENS & WAGGING TAILS
KITTEN MITTENS & WAGGING TAILS
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Dr. Dana Koch grew up in Langhorne, PA. From an early age she was passionate about animals and knew she wanted to become a veterinarian. This dream led her on a path to discover a true love and respect for animals, medicine, and the human-animal bond. Her path to achieving her ultimate goal took her through many years of studies including a biology degree from LaSalle University, a master's degree in laboratory animal medicine from Drexel University and then her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Dana’s professional interests include preventative medicine, dermatology, dentistry, exotics, specifically rabbits, guinea pigs and rats. She loves working with senior pets and helping to make their remaining years as comfortable as possible. She is passionate about international medical missions and has participated in nine of these trips in various countries performing high volume spay and neuter in countries with an overpopulation problem.
In 2018 Dr. Dana completed her certification in animal acupuncture through the Chi University. Acupuncture has provided many pets with an alternative treatment option for various disease processes. Dr. Dana fully supports continued learning experiences and that is why she also completed a certification in animal rehabilitation in 2022. This discipline in veterinary medicine has proven to improve mobility, lessen recovery times post surgeries, and provide many animals with relief from chronic conditions.
In her spare time she enjoys playing tennis, running races, traveling and experiencing other cultures. Dr. Dana started a non-profit organization called Kitten Mittens and Wagging Tails. The charity provides resources and assistance to animals in need, while also educating others on animal related topics.
Vanessa Garcia, originally from Northern New Jersey, relocated to Philadelphia in 2008 for work. Vanessa attended school for Massage Therapy and always had interest in anatomy and physiology with a particular interest in sports medicine and rehabilitation. After completing school, she practiced for some time and then life took a turn and she found herself in the Travel industry where she has been and now owns her own travel company. Throughout this time Vanessa met a sweet and sassy cat named Seven who quickly became her best friend. Seven was a great cat and for years was Vanessa’s companion. When Seven became sick with Chronic Kidney Disease, Vanessa decided it was her mission to learn everything she could about the disease to help other animals or pet owners in need. Unfortunuately, Seven’s disease had progressed too quickly and she passed away in August 2020.
In October of 2020 Vanessa adopted Daisy, a Beth Stern Foster, with stage 2 kidney disease that was surrendered due to her condition. Vanessa knew Seven had sent her Daisy and she has focused on keeping her happy and healthy. Daisy is the center of Vanessa’s Instagram account @SevensDaisy and helps her mom educate others through conversations with her mom, Dr Dana and her best friend Winston. Vanessa enjoyed veterinary medicine so much she became a veterinary technician in March of 2021 and in additional to her travel company, currently works alongside Dr Dana with the goal of helping current patients, new patients and supporting animal causes.
Daisy is a shy and sweet fluffy Ragdoll. She was surrendered to a shelter by her family at age 8 and had chronic kidney disease. When she arrived at the shelter she was very sick and scared from having been bullied by another household pet. She was rescued by the Beth Stern program where she met her forever mom. Daisy has been telling her CKD story on Instagram through conversation. Daisy’s favorite things are her Llama toy, Tuna Lattee’s and waking up her mom in the middle of the night.
Penny is an athletic and kind three legged cat who was brought to Dr. Dana 7 years ago. A good samitarian found Penny severely injured in her yard and brought her to the veterinary office. Dr. Dana had to amputate her injured leg and then decided to give her a forever home. Penny loves climbing her cat tree, snuggling with Luna and watching her humans from afar.
Luna is a beautiful black feline that was adopted by Dr. Dana 11 years ago from a local rescue. She believes she is the leader of the household and keeps all the other animals in line. Her hobbies include napping and being the leader of the second dinner club.
Walnut and Tango are a brother-sister rabbit duo that were rescued from a hoarding house. They are deeply bounded and enjoy snuggles together and are world class chewers of many objects. They are also willing participants in Dr. Dana's "vets in training" classes for children interested in veterinary medicine.
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
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Seven was a sweet and sassy cat that taught Vanessa everything she knows about being a pet owner. Originally she was Vanessa’s roommate’s cat but upon meeting they bonded so much that when Vanessa moved Seven went with her. She was friendly, playful and her hobbies included knocking things over, laying belly up but only getting 2 ½ belly rubs and always being on the hunt for anything you were eating. Seven is greatly missed daily but her legacy lives on.
Betty: a fiesty English Lop that loved eating, chewing, and rearranging her enclosure on the daily. She was surrendered for "not playing well with others" but spent five happy years with Dr. Dana before her passing in 2021. Her long, floppy ears and frequent back leg thumps will always have a special place in Dr. Dana's heart.
Winston is a beagle/irish setter mix that started his life in a research laboratory helping veterinarians and research scientists learn about leukocyte adhesion deficiency. He has resided with Dr. Dana for the last 12 years and enjoys long walks at the park, therapy visits with kids and food of any variety but especially loves frosty paws, peanut butter and anything that is on his human servant's plate. Winston is the main character in several stories that focus on his animal related adventures. He is a cancer survivor and is Dr. Dana's soul dog.