Meet the Staff

Claudia joined our team in March 2016. She came to us from a human dentistry practice, where she worked as an oral surgery nurse for several years. After gaining this valuable experience, she decided to make the jump into the veterinary field to help four-legged furry patients at the front lines (or rather, at the front desk!). She brought with her knowledge of dentistry and administrative duties, and she enjoys the challenge of learning how it applies to our pets. As our client services representative, her goal is to answer any questions our clients might have when making appointments and scheduling our patients’ dental exams and procedures. When she’s not at the front desk greeting our clients and their pets or answering questions over-the-phone, she enjoys jogging along coastal hiking trails in the South Bay where she resides, tending to her carnivorous plant terrarium, collecting vintage items, and attending various music festivals. Her four-legged companion is an adorable oversized blue pit bull named Brody.

Amissa is our Jack-of-all-trades. She joined the Dog & Cat Dentist team in 2013. As the doctors’ assistant and part-time receptionist, she divides her time between helping our registered veterinary technicians (RVTs) provide stellar patient care and answering any questions that our clients may have when scheduling appointments over-the-phone. She is currently working toward a registered veterinary technician certification by completing the RVT program at Pierce College. As our versatile employee, Amissa is always at the ready with whatever the doctors, technicians, or front desk staff may need. When she’s not dashing from the operatories to the front desk and back, Amissa enjoys roller skating, hiking or just hanging out with friends. She is the pet parent of Dog & Cat Dentist’s very own office mascot, the sassy cream-colored Frenchie named Peach.

Jennifer is a registered veterinary technician and Dog & Cat Dentist’s very own cat whisperer. She joined the team in 2016. Her interest in dentistry lead her to the Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians, where she was mentored by Dr. Tsugawa and credentialed as a technician specialist in 2014. Not only does she have extensive specialized knowledge in dentistry, one of her primary duties at Dog & Cat Dentist is sitting at your pet’s side to monitor their anesthesia during procedures. Jennifer enjoys trying out vegan recipes, whale watching, and spending time with her pets, which include rescued cats, a poodle, and a cockatiel. Ask Jennifer any question related to your pet’s dental needs, and she’ll be sure to have a well-informed answer at the ready!

Jody is a registered veterinary technician and the honorary leader of our team here at Dog & Cat Dentist. She started working in the veterinary field in 1998, receiving her RVT license in 1999. She joined the Dog and Cat Dentist team in 2013. Jody has a vast wealth of knowledge that she puts to great use by providing unparalleled care to our furry patients, as well as providing dental education to pet owners. Our clients find Jody’s knowledge and excellent bedside manner very comforting, and you will find that she’s very relatable. Aside from her nursing duties, including sitting at your pet’s side to monitor their anesthesia during procedures, Jody is also responsible for all of the behind-the-scenes work involved to ensure that our office runs seamlessly and that our operatories are stocked with everything our doctors need to provide top-level care. In her time outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, whether it be hiking, strolling around the local wildlife preserve to bird watch, or doing yard work.

Nealy joined the Dog & Cat Dentist team in 2020 and immediately was beloved by her coworkers and clients alike. She earned her registered veterinary technician (RVT) degree in 2015 and has been working in the veterinary field since 2008. Her warm demeanor and sense of humor brighten up everyone’s day. Her superpower is that she is great at earning pets’ trust and making their visit less stressful (especially through utilizing her “Fear Free Handling” certification). Nealy’s goal is to improve the experience of both our patients and their humans alike through compassion and top-notch care. When not at work, Nealy enjoys spending quality time with her family, including bike riding with her daughter and husband, and is a voracious reader (50+ books per year!). Her four-legged companions are two scruffy rescue terriers named Buster and Teddy.