- Based InFresno, CA
- Service areasFresno, CA & Surrounding Cities
- Work Experience19+ years
- Animals ServedDogs (Over 30 lbs) & All Cats
- Notice Required2 hours
General availability
Friday9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Availability each week can vary based on demand and scheduling. Please provide a minimum 2 hour advance notice for all bookings.
Why I provide at-home pet euthanasia
There is truly no better way to honor our beloved pets last wishes than to help them pass, when its time, peacefully and painlessly in their sleep, at home, surrounded by family. I firmly believe it, because it is a desire we all would want when that time comes.
Education
Undergraduate: University of California, Davis
Veterinary Medicine: University of California, Davis University of Iowa
Certifications
2Pet Loss Bereavement Specialist, Fear Free Certified
- Based InFresno, CA
- Service areasFresno, CA & Surrounding Cities
- Work Experience19+ years
- Animals ServedDogs (Over 30 lbs) & All Cats
- Notice Required2 hours
General availability
Friday9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Availability each week can vary based on demand and scheduling. Please provide a minimum 2 hour advance notice for all bookings.
Services provided
At home pet euthanasia
Dr. Karen Whala will help your beloved pet transition peacefully in the comfort of of their home, surrounded by loved ones
Est. CostStarting at $320
Keepsakes
Clay paw prints, wooden urns with personalizations available with ashes returned
Est. CostFrom $20 - $40
Quality of life consult
Schedule a 1-on-1 with a vet over a virtual conference call or at home.
Est. CostStarting at $125
What pet parents are saying
I can not say enough kind words for Dr. Karen Whala of CodaPet. She came highly recommended from a good friend that had chosen in home pet euthanasia and when my Boerboel was diagnosed with Lymph cancer and it was time to let her go I was so grateful Dr. Whala had an opening that same day. She was on time and she has the most calming, gentle, peaceful spirit of anyone I've ever met. It never felt rushed, she took her time, and all things considered on such a hard, sad morning, the passing of my Tesla could not have gone any smoother or better. Thank you Dr. Whala for making my decision that day so much easier. 🙏
Dr. Karen was helpful in providing a peaceful passing for my sick kitty. She explained the process and helped keep us both calm. This was the hardest decision I had to make and she helped me come to terms with it. I would absolutely call Dr. Karen again if needed. She was kind, compassionate, and supportive for both me and my girl as we said goodbye.
Karen was the kindest and thoughtful person. She dealt with us so patiently and understood our pain. We are so happy that we found this option for our Allie. I couldn’t bear the thought of it being done in a facility that would have caused her stress. She took to Karen and was very calm. Our girl was able to leave all her pain and struggles behind in the comfort and warmth of her own home and with those who loved her by her side. One of the saddest days of our lives was made a little easier knowing we did this for her and in the best way possible. They handled everything. Thank you so much! Our highest recommendations!
Karen was patient, professional, and loving to our Sweet June. As difficult as it is to say goodbye to your beloved pet, she made the process peaceful with her compassion and genuine love for animals. We are grateful we chose her and coda pet.
I found Dr. Whala very compassionate. She explained the procedure thoroughly and what to expect. She handled my Kobie as if she was her own babygirl. I’m so glad my Kobie left so peacefully at home. I highly recommend Dr. Whala.
We had a very sudden decline of our beloved dog and Dr Whala was completely sympathetic and allowed us to go through the process in a very peaceful and calm manner. It's so wonderful that there are people who help us as we lose our pets in such a professional and understanding way.
We cant say enough about Dr. Karen, she is kind , compassionate and it is genuine. We had to have our 12 year old GSD euthanized and although we were devastated, having it done at home was like night and day from a vet's office especially with this Dr. our dog was relaxed and it was very peaceful, we would never do it any other way or with anyone else but Dr. Whala
Dr. Karen Whala was such a blessing! We are so thankful she came to our home and made us feel at ease with our little Jordan. Thank you for letting me hold her during the entire time. Your kind heart and soft nature made this difficult time more peaceful. Thank you!
Dr Kathy Whala was so compassionate with the procedure of laying Ducey my fur baby to rest. She made sure my fur baby was completely comfortable as well as myself. Beyond 5 stars!
Dr Karen was very nice and sympathetic overall good first at home euthanasia experience. Even came earlier than scheduled appointment to help my pet pass faster and not in pain.
Dr. Karen was so caring and kind. She did not rush the process and was very interested in our family with our Sammy. We can't say enough good things about her bedside manner and caring personality. Thank you Dr. Whala.
I have had to use Dr Whala twice in 5 months and she makes a sad and difficult time less difficult. She was wonderful with both my dogs. She takes time to explain what she is doing, makes sure the pet is comfortable at each stage of the process, and wraps it up very nicely.
I am sure all the vets are great, but I can only speak about Dr. Karen. Dr. Karen was fantastic; we appreciated her listening and compassionately answering all our questions. She explained the process and took her time. We were all able to love on Lucky and say goodbye. She gave him some prosciutto with a relaxant, and from the time he walked back to his spot, he started falling asleep. Lucky was ready :( It happened very quickly, and then she gave him a shot, and within a few minutes, he was gone. She didn't rush; she waited until we were ready. I am so relieved that we could say goodbye to Lucky at home, surrounded by those who loved him.
I’m so grateful we were able to choose in home pet euthanasia for my sweet Maverick, who would have been so anxious if we would have had to take him into a vet office. I felt so much peace being able to hold him in his favorite room in the house while he passed away. Dr Karen was so kind, supportive, and helpful during the process. I will absolutely be recommending her to all of my friends and family when they face this difficult decision.
this was our second time using Dr Whala , she again performed a mostly loving goodbye , i appreciate her soft spoken ways and compassion for us whole going through this most difficult time . we appreciate her so much .
Our experience with Dr. Whala was an incredible one. Our 17 year old cat had been living with kidney disease for several years, but it progressed rapidly the last two months. Within a few days he greatly declined and we were faced with the unthinkable choice of putting him to sleep or continuing to care for him while he suffered unnecessarily. When we finally decided to have him humanely euthanized, our regular vet's office recommended CodaPet. We had to make a very fast decision, and were able to book an appointment with Dr. Whala the very next morning. From the moment we booked to the appointment, everything went professionally and with the utmost compassion. Dr. Whala texted the next morning to confirm everything and explain the process. When she arrived, she was extremely kind and caring, and made allowed our entire family the time and respect to spend as much time as we needed with our beloved cat. She explained the entire process and was just lovely in her demeanor. It was obviously an emotional time, and she knew exactly how to proceed without overwhelming us. As the visit continued, she explained everything she was doing and made sure to ask us if we had any questions or concerns. She provided compassionate care and went above and beyond to respect this difficult time. For anyone wondering if this is the route for them to take, I highly recommend at-home euthanasia with Dr. Whala. Yes, it was difficult and not an enjoyable time, but I can't thank her enough for the care she took to help our beloved Indy cross the rainbow bridge. If you are in a similar situation, or questioning whether this is the right decision for you, I absolutely recommend using Dr. Whala and allowing her to help your loved one pass on with dignity. Thank you Dr. Whala for honoring our cherished pet.
Dr Whala has helped us through the passing of two of our dogs with a kind, compassionate, caring understanding of what we as pet owners are going through. When Dr Whala came out recently to help with what we thought was a final goodbye to our girl Bindi she let us know that Bindi had a tumor but with some medicine she recommended we were able to be with Bindi an additional 2 months. Dr Whala has a true understanding of what we as dog owners feel about our furry friends, she knows they are our family and we love them with all our hearts. There is never any rush when Karen visits your home for the final goodbye, the last moments of our babies is so difficult and Karen understands the pain we are going through. There isn't anyone I could ever recommend that would be better to help with the final goodbye for your beloved pets.
This was the hardest thing me and my wife had to do .. we had our dog 15 years she was our baby we loved her and spoiled her and try to take the very best care of her.. she walked every day till her last 5 days she showed signs of pain and discomfort and eventually couldn’t get up and was crying a lot .. we wanted to keep her comfortable and let her go on her own but she was such a fighter and we couldn’t have her be in pain .. we found dr. Karen and she we like an angel sent from heaven she was so kind and gentle and explain everything got my dog very comfortable in her bed in her home and around all her family .. its very hard to lose something so close to you.. but this service made it so much easier for our dog and family to be there.. it was sad but yet very beautiful to see how much everyone loved my dog .. would recommend this to every pet owner!
She is the ultimate best, most compassionate vet I have had the honor of knowing. Unfortunately, under the saddest of conditions, but that makes her even more special to go through this unbearable journey with. This is my third journey w/Dr. Whala. I know I will always want her here for future fur ones.
Losing a beloved pet is never easy, but Dr Karen made this difficult situation a peaceful experience. Our sweet Roxy got to pass in the comfort of our home surrounded by her favorite human & furry family members. Dr Karen was very kind and compassionate throughout the appointment. She truly has a gift for what she does and how she does it. We can’t thank her enough. While we hope we don’t need to use this service anytime soon, we will definitely seek Dr Karen’s help the next time it is needed.
Dr. Karen was so patient, caring, professional, compassionate and empathetic with our saying goodbye to our beloved Hendrix. She made it so much easier for all of us. Thank you so much Dr. Karen and thank you to the Koda Pet program. We’ve been recommending your program and Dr. Karen to our friends and family.
She was very compassionate, took her time to explain everything she did and I’ve never had such a good experience with such a caring vet
Dr. Karen Whala was so amazing. She was so kind, thoughtful and patient throughout the whole process. She is a true gift in a very difficult time. Words cannot describe the gratitude I have for Dr. Karen for coming to my home and taking such good care of my Honey and me in helping say the final good bye.
Dr. Karen Whala was just the perfect answer to a difficult decision in sending our German Shepherd Luke to Heaven. Dr. Whala was gentle, took the time to exam and bring assurance to both our dog and our family. This was a difficult day but Dr. Whala made it reassuring and gave us the piece of mind we needed. Thank you so very much.
Dr Karen Whala has been wonderful with our pets. We were fortunate that we found her. Her compassion and understanding when it is time to say good by was comforting to us. Thank you Dr Whala for your patience and understanding. The Lee Family
My girl Molli was 16 this past June and when she took a turn for the worse I reached out to Peaceful Passing/Coda Pet for help. While her appointment was scheduled for a few days later, Dr. Whala was able to come sooner - this allowed Molli not to be in pain or any discomfort for any longer than needed. The whole process was amazing and left me knowing that it was the best outcome for Molli. There was no rush, no judgement, no criticizing - just compassion and understanding. We were given time to be with Molli through the entire process. We also chose to have Molli cremated and wanted her ashes back. I was expecting to get a call to go pick up those ashes but instead I was greeted by an individual at my house that hand delivered Molli back to me. Unbelievable service from beginning to start - I would not do it any different.
We actually have a unique story. When Dr. Karen arrived and assessed our Bandit, she said, “I don’t think he’s ready to go.” Without going in to every detail, she spent an hour with us as we observed Bandit, and discussed all that was going on with him. We determined that a medicine we were giving him was overprescribed and that was likely what caused his symptoms. Anyway, as I said, there’s much more to the story, but the end result is that Bandit is still with us! Dr. Karen was extremely compassionate, calm, comforting, not in a rush, and knowledgeable. We wholeheartedly appreciated her calm and discerning manner and the way in which she explained her thoughts and feelings to us. It is a comfort to know we now have a Dr./company we can turn to if we need to put a pet down. We live in the foothills/mountains and it is so nice to know we have Dr. Karen who would come to us in our time of need. Our gratitude is immense. Thank you, Dr. Karen. ♥️
Doc. Karen took the utmost care of Bentley on his final journey with my wife and I at home. She explained everything and was very professional during the transition of our loved Bently.
This was, unfortunately, our second time using this service. But I will never go through this any other way. The vet who came the first time many years ago had moved away so I chose Dr. Karen this time because I was present when she helped my sister say goodbye to her dog a few years ago. Her beside manner is absolutely beautiful. She's so calm, patient, caring, and soft spoken. As soon as she walked in the door, it was as if she's a regular guest in our home. She sat down on the floor and immediately made friends with our Herman. He felt safe and comfortable with her right away. She explained every step of the process thoroughly and told us what to expect. More importantly, she explained it in a way our children could understand. It had been ten years since our last goodbye, and I hope it'll be that or more until our next. But I also hope Dr. Karen will still be available when that time comes. I recommend her 100%. Thank you, Dr. Karen 🤍
Dr. Whala is so supportively calm, companionate, and took her time which allowed me to breathe through this grief induced process!! I am speechless with gratitude!!! Thank you for what you do, it truly takes an amazing person that takes the time to do what you do and how you helped my fur baby with a loving peaceful crossing!?! I will now always do this type of in home help when any of my animals are in need again! Dr. Whala, you are a peace providing angel!! Thank you!!! Thank you!! Thank you!!
Dr Whala was so kind and made our difficult day saying goodbye to our loved pet a peaceful one. She was patient and we appreciated her gentle care of our dog.
Dr Karen was compassionate, discreet and professional! I can’t say enough how well she cared for my pet and me during this emotional time.
Dr Karen made what was a heartbreaking decision more bearable. She was compassionate, gentle and so caring. We would recommend her to anyone wanting to give their pets the respect they deserve at the end of their life.
Dr. Karen Whala is such a blessing to us. I was so touched on how she approached my Bella. Her presence comforted Bella which I never seen happened before because Bella was a nervous dog around people but not with Dr. Karen Whala. It was as if she knew she was there to help.She also helped us through the difficult process and made sure Bella transitioned painlessly and peacefully. Thank you Dr.Karen Whala for your professionalism, kindness and dedication to our beloved pets, our family members.
I have used Dr Whala a couple times. She is so compassionate and a sympathetic Doctor. I have had only positive experiences with her and she is truly a wonderful Dr and is exactly what you want to help you with saying good bye to your pet. Very knowledgeable and professional with empathy. She was excellent. Thank you Dr. Whala for helping Buddy go to heaven. He was very peaceful and had zero anxiety or stress
Taking the initial steps was the hardest decision I’ve ever made. Having Dr. Karen Whala as part of my Stoney’s final moments leaves me with a sense is peace. She was incredibly patient and compassionate throughout the entire process and treated both he and I like family. I can’t begin to put into words how grateful I am that my Stoney was able to be home in his last chapter surrounded with love and his favorite human by his side!"
I have never been so impressed as I am with Dr. Karen Whala. She made a horrible heartbreaking situation, kind, warm and dignified. She made our dog comfortable and treated her with immeasurable kindness, respect and care. I would use her again without question.
Dr. Karen was amazing from start to finish. She arrived on time, came into my home and treated Jazmin as if she was her own. Dr. Karen was compassionate, loving and caring. Fully explained the process, she was incredibly patient and gave us the opportunity to be there with Jazmin and when we were ready she gently did her job and our beloved Jazmin passed peacefully with pain free. I will always be grateful for the service Dr. Karen provides.
Dr. Karen came highly recommended by a good friend of mine. I am so grateful that she was available the morning that I had to make the decision to lay my Boerboel to rest. She arrived on time and made this tough decision so much easier. She has such a calm, peaceful presence and took her time, waiting for the right moment for when Tesla was ready to let go. I am forever grateful to her for making this experience a bit easier. I highly recommend Dr. Karen Whala!
Dr. Whala is one of the most compassionate and kind veterinarians I have ever met. The experience was far better in our home than previous vet offices. Like night and day.
Taking the initial steps was the hardest decision I’ve ever made. Having Dr. Karen Whala as part of my Stoney’s final moments leaves me with a sense is peace. She was incredibly patient and compassionate throughout the entire process and treated both he and I like family. I can’t begin to put into words how grateful I am that my Stoney was able to be home in his last chapter surrounded with love and his favorite human by his side!
Dr Whala is a exceptional person. We've had to use her services twice. Our pets are like family. It's so difficult, however Dr Whala is so compassionate and caring it's truly eases your heart through this process. She's amazing. Highly recommend! Thank You Mike and Allison Villegas
Dr. Karen Whala is as professional as could be. Coupled with her compassion, empathy, and patience, she made our experience as painless as possible. We had a very hard decision to make and it was comforting to have her with us. She was patient and did not rush us at any point. She was soothing and new just the right things to say and how to say them to help our entire family get through a difficult process. This is the second time we’ve utilized this service and the first time was not the same experience. Different company and veterinarian. We highly recommend Dr. Karen Whala.
Dr. Whala was a sweet soul to work with. She was very compassionate and we could tell her voice and demeanor put our Charlie boy at ease. She made a very difficult situation as bearable as possible. I wouldn’t have had it any other way than having Charlie at home surrounded by family, to cross the rainbow bridge.
Dr Karen Whala is wonderful! Upon arrival she spent time with our Pepper and the assessment is so helpful and reassuring. We did not feel rushed through the process at all. She explained every step. Most importantly she was so patient allowing our family to each love on Pepper. Her priority was making sure that Pepper was comfortable at all times! Pepper never liked visits to the vet (even though our vet office is great) and knowing that she was at home and passed peacefully was a gift. Dr Whala - thank you!!
Your kindness, compassion and tender care of our beloved baby girl was of immeasurable value to us in our darkest hour. When I lost control of my emotions, you were able to help calm me down to ensure that our baby stayed at peace. Thank you for being such an angel in helping our angel get her wings.
Dr. Karen Whala made my first experience with in-home pet euthanasia a very positive one. I will definitely use her service again when the time comes. She is kind and compassionate and was very gentle with my dog Sadie. Dr Whala never rushed the process and made sure Sadie stayed comfortable during the whole procedure. Choosing in-home pet euthanasia gave me an extra day to love and spoil Sadie while accepting that we were not going to have her anymore. It also gave Sadie comfort in her last hours to be free from severe anxiety that going to the vet brought her.
Dr. Karen came highly recommended to us by our local veterinarian, Armstrong Pet, and we now know why. Dr. Karen made this really difficult process a beautiful experience for our family. She talked us through each step of the process and was sensitive to the emotions of our young son. She was empathetic, patient, and provided us the time and space to say our goodbyes. I have already shared her contact information with other that are facing this difficult situation with their pup. Thank you for providing such a humane option in crossing the rainbow bridge 🌈🐶
Dr Karen W did an amazing job throughout the entire process. She was very kind, compassionate and respectful. The ashes were returned sooner than expected. She definitely made this hard day a lot easier.
Dr. Whala made one of the most difficult days of our lives a little bit easier. She was incredibly kind, professional and helped guide us through the process. She helped us say goodbye to our dear Annie and was so patient and understanding. She brought us and our Annie comfort during a very tough time.
Karen is a total pro, and made this event so much easier for both myself and my pet. She was calm, kind, caring, and transparent. I would HIGHLY recommend this service. My dog just peacefully fell asleep on the sofa without the stress of a vet office. As perfect as this type of experience can be.
Dr. Whala is empathetic, compassionate, and patient. She helped our dog Brody smoothly transition into the next phase of life. She created a calm and loving environment and allowed us to grieve and say our goodbyes without making us feel rushed. She made sure Brody was comfortable and at peace throughout the process. I highly recommend Dr. Whala to anyone who is trying to peacefully help their animal transition over the rainbow bridge.
We have the help of Dr Whala twice now and absolutely love her and would never think of anyone else to help us lay our pet to rest. She is the most caring and loving when times are so hard .
We have requested Dr. Whala's services three times now, and each time she has shown immense kindness, empathy, and knowledge. I appreciate her more than words can ever express. She has provided us a comfortable, peaceful and loving space to say goodbye to our fur babies in, which is priceless. Although I dread saying goodbye to my fur babies, I find solace in knowing that Dr. Whala is available to help us navigate that difficult transition. Thank you a million times over, Dr. Whala.
I cant say enough about Dr. Karen and the home euthanasia experience, this young woman was made to do this, she has a calmness about her that made our Ruby and my husband and I feel very peaceful. We were very sad but without the trauma of the vets office we were able to send her off to heaven from the place she loved for almost 12 years, I would call her again in a heartbeat to take care of our animals.
Thank you Dr Whala for helping us go thru this. We highly recommend. She had a caring touch and friendly bedside manner. We knew our beloved family member was in great hands. Thank you again Dr Whala. The Matsuhashi Family
"I am sure all the vets are great, but I can only speak about Dr. Karen. Dr. Karen was fantastic; we appreciated her listening and compassionately answering all our questions. She explained the process and took her time. We were all able to love on Lucky and say goodbye. She gave him some prosciutto with a relaxant, and from the time he walked back to his spot, he started falling asleep. Lucky was ready :( It happened very quickly, and then she gave him a shot, and within a few minutes, he was gone. She didn't rush; she waited until we were ready. I am so relieved that we could say goodbye to Lucky at home, surrounded by those who loved him.".
Dr. Whala’s compassion and gentleness eased our heartbreak over losing Jolene. Saying goodbye in the peace and quiet of our home was priceless.
One of life’s hardest events, Karen Whala helped in so many ways me through it. She sent texts before the visit and once she arrived, she was very compassionate with our suffering pet and myself. Literally prepped in the flower bed and went to where our doggy was hiding. Her words were comforting and encouraging throughout the time she was there. So thankful for her home service. After this, no one should be driving a vehicle anywhere! Thank you Karen for your kind hear for our girl who is not in any pain now. 🐾🐾❤️
Dr. Whala was amazing. Very kind and compassionate. She was warm and thoughtful and really helped us get through this terrible time. I am so glad we found out about Codapet.
I was very impressed with Dr. Karen Whala. She was approachable and professional. She showed a great concern and comfort Luna. She assessed her Upon arrival communicated as well. She was pleasant and compassionate throughout the time in our home gental & peaceful for Luna.
Dr. Karen W did an amazing job throughout the entire process. She was very compassionate, kind and respectful. The ashes were returned sooner than expected.
We made the very difficult decision to euthanize our sweet cat, Sophie. However, CodaPet and Dr. Whala made at home pet euthanasia a beautiful option for our family. Dr. Whala created a calm and peaceful environment for our heartbreaking moment which put us all at ease including our fur baby. We thank you Dr. Whala from the bottom of our hearts for your compassion and care on such a difficult day.
Dr. Karen showed great compassion as we said goodbye to our beloved, Cossette. She asked insightful questions and listened carefully so that she could provide the most individual care to our girl.
Dr. Karen Whala was such a blessing! We are so thankful she came to our home and made us feel at ease with our little Jordan. Thank you for letting me hold her during the entire time. Your kind heart and soft nature made this difficult time more peaceful. Thank you!
I cannot express enough how WONDERFUL Dr. Whala is! I will never, ever use any other vet for putting any of my kitties to sleep. She has such a calm and loving presence. She made this hard time actually easy. No tears: just immense gratitude that my sweet Blotty got to go in such a calm and peaceful way, at home. Thank you, Dr. Whala!
Dr whala took her time and explained everything she was doing .she assured us we were making the right decision after examining bloo . I would highly recommend her to anyone. Thank you dr whala.
I just had a great service performed by Doctor Karen Whala. My very old German Shepherd had to be put down. The doctor came to my house and was very pleasant, professional and really well prepared. She was so good that my dog was first relaxed and then so sleepy that he passed like he was taking a nap. This sure beats the stress of a vet office when he could relax in his own surroundings. Thank you Doctor.
Dr. Karen is so caring and compassionate. Dr. Karen has been to my home to take care of two of my fur babies two different times. Each fur baby has their own individual needs. And Dr. Karen takes into account what’s going on with them and does what is best to keep them from being stressed, nervous or scared. So grateful for Dr. Karen. I was able to spend the time I needed and my babies went peacefully. Meant the world to me. God bless you Dr. Karen. I would recommend Dr. Karen 100%. My heart is at peace.
Dr Karen Whala was absolutely wonderful, caring and compassionate at a time my family really needed it, She explained everything in detail and made this extremely hard time a little easier, Thank you so much!
Dr Whala came to our home on short notice and took great care of our dog Charlie. So thankful for her calm comforting demeanor. She was so kind and we are grateful for her compassion and care. Never easy to say goodbye to our furry friends, but Dr Whala made the experience more bearable by being so kind and gentle
this was the hardest thing to have to do but The experience we had using Codapet and Dr Whala was absolutely wonderful. She was so patient and wonderful with our fur baby and us. We thank her so much for all her compassion!!
Our experience with Dr. Whala was an incredible one. Our 17 year old cat had been living with kidney disease for several years, but it progressed rapidly the last two months. Within a few days he greatly declined and we were faced with the unthinkable choice of putting him to sleep or continuing to care for him while he suffered unnecessarily. When we finally decided to have him humanely euthanized, our regular vet's office recommended CodaPet. We had to make a very fast decision, and were able to book an appointment with Dr. Whala the very next morning. From the moment we booked to the appointment, everything went professionally and with the utmost compassion. Dr. Whala texted the next morning to confirm everything and explain the process. When she arrived, she was extremely kind and caring, and allowed our entire family the time and respect to spend as much time as we needed with our beloved cat. She explained the entire process and was just lovely in her demeanor. It was obviously an emotional time, and she knew exactly how to proceed without overwhelming us. As the visit continued, she explained everything she was doing and made sure to ask us if we had any questions or concerns. She provided compassionate care and went above and beyond to respect this difficult time. For anyone wondering if this is the route for them to take, I highly recommend at-home euthanasia with Dr. Whala. Yes, it was difficult and not an enjoyable time, but I can't thank her enough for the care she took to help our beloved Indy cross the rainbow bridge. If you are in a similar situation, or questioning whether this is the right decision for you, I absolutely recommend using Dr. Whala and allowing her to help your loved one pass on with dignity. Thank you Dr. Whala for honoring our cherished pet.
Our family could not be more pleased with the gentleness and medical expertise when preparing our German Shepherd to go to Rainbow Bridge. Dr. Karen Whala was gentle and extremely informative. She took her time and her grace and knowledge made everything very special in a very difficult time. Thank you❤️
Dr Karen was very professional and considerate during the whole process of putting down our beautiful dog Rex. We deeply appreciate her kindness and help.
Dr Whala took the time to let me come to terms is with what was going to happen. Dr Whala is a kind vet and a credit to the profession.
We were recently faced with making the decision to say goodbye to our Rottweiler, Cookie. This is the second time that Dr Whala has assisted us and each time she has shown kindness and compassion as well as loving care to our beloved pets. We can't thank her enough for her sympathetic care and professionalism.
"A big thank you to Dr. Whala for her help when I needed her. She was prompt, courteous, professional, friendly, and caring. She explained everything to me beforehand and during the procedure. I finally got to hold this stray cat I had been feeding for 3 years, but wouldn't let me touch him. That meant a lot to me."
I can't say enough about Dr Karen Whala. She came into our home to assist our sweet senior cat Lulu cross over the rainbow bridge. Dr Karen was so kind and compassionate. It was nice for our Lulu to pass in her home instead of a cold scary vets office. Thank you Dr Karen.
Dr Karen is an amazing soul, she helped us through a very difficult time. Her compassion and kindness were off the chart,I highly recommend her to anyone who is saying good by to a sweet and beautiful family member. Dr Karen thank you is not enough.
I only hesitated to give a 5 star rating because Dr. Whala did not call me sooner about our date with Endora's passing. She called that morning to ask if I was having second thoughts which I was. I had another boxer put down in 2022 and I sensed Dr. Whala was hesitant to put her down because she was worried I would feel "incredible guilt" because Violet seemed to be doing a little better. I went ahead with the euthanasia after talking to my vet again and I did feel horrible as Dr. Whala feared but I am now okay with the decision. Violet's heart was bad and Endora had metastatic cancer. My point is that I had Dr. Whala's imput for a day or so and then again on the day of the euthanasia. I love Dr. Whala and just wanted a phone call the night before. I wanted my hand held I guess.
Where do I start? My dog, Einstein, was diagnosed with lymphoma three weeks prior. It exploded throughout his body faster than the doctors expected and while he and I were on a road trip. Einstein woke one day, in obvious pain. I got lucky and found Dr. Whala through CodaPet. She was able to come see me that afternoon. It was either that or wait 4 days for the next availability (it was Thanksgiving). When she came to our house, she took the time to say hello and let Einstein and me get to know her. After she observed him and I explained his situation, she helped him pass in the most peaceful way I've witnessed. It's difficult for me to express exactly how peaceful it was, except to say, I couldn't have wished for someone to treat my buddy better. There was no pain and he felt loved. There was no sudden change but rather, a gentle transition. It's never easy making this choice but I feel Dr. Whala was the right choice for Einstein.
Upon her arrival, Dr. Karen compassionately assured us that our lab, Milo, would pass peacefully in his own home with his family loving him until the end. And so it was. Tears flowed losing our 14 year old friend, truly a part of our family. Dr. Karen was gentle with Milo and I would so strongly suggest this form of euthanasia. Milo left us and did so with dignity. We miss him terribly.
Very quiet and sacred experience in allowing my 18 year old labradoodle pass on. Dr Whala was loving, calm, and gentle with out beloved dog
I am so thankful for the caring patience, consideration, and understanding of Dr.Whala! Though being a guide of euthanasia is NOT an easy job, she not only provided the service, she was also an amazing emotional support to me and my family. She never rushed me and was willing to sit with me, talk about, and give affection to my doggy girl. Dr.Whala is an amazing angel that I’m thankful for when my Cortnee needed to cross the rainbow bridge! Thank you Dr.Whala, I truly appreciate what you do and did for us.
This was best experience I have ever had when sending a pet over the Rainbow Bridge. No longer with I do this at a veterinarian. Dr Karen was the most compassionate person I have ever encountered. Professional and caring to not only my beloved Penny, but myself as well. I can’t thank her enough. ❤️
Dr. What's is kind and patient. She could see how difficult saying goodbye to my cat was, and she gave me the support I needed. She was so gentle with my cat. I'm very grateful that she was able to handle such a rough situation with such grace and understanding.
Dr. Karen Whala was an Angel sent in human form. As much as we dreaded saying goodbye to our beloved Hendrix, she made the experience memorable in the most loving and positive way. Our family highly recommends Dr. Karen for this difficult decision.
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 .
Dr Karen came highly recommended from a good friend. I am so grateful she was available the morning that I had to make the decision to lay my Boerboel to rest. She made the experience so peaceful and took her time. I am so grateful to her. Thank you!
I'm still very emotional for having to put my baby to rest.. but I'm truly grateful of how came to my home where my family was able to be supporting.. she was sensitive through the whole process, which was very nice of her.. my dog went very peacefully, and I held her the whole time in her favorite place at home.. thank u so much.
This was, unfortunately, our second time using this service. But I will never go through this any other way. The vet who came the first time many years ago had moved away so I chose Dr. Karen this time because I was present when she helped my sister say goodbye to her dog a few years ago. Her beside manner is absolutely beautiful. She's so calm, patient, caring, and soft spoken. As soon as she walked in the door, it was as if she's a regular guest in our home. She sat down on the floor and immediately made friends with our Herman. He felt safe and comfortable with her right away. She explained every step of the process thoroughly and told us what to expect. More importantly, she explained it in a way our children could understand. It had been ten years since our last goodbye, and I hope it'll be that or more until our next. But I also hope Dr. Karen will still be available when that time comes. I recommend her 100%. Thank you, Dr. Karen 🤍
Dr. Whala is empathetic, compassionate, and patient. She helped our dog Brody smoothly transition into the next phase of life. She created a calm and loving environment and allowed us to grieve and say our goodbyes without making us feel rushed. She made sure Brody was comfortable and at peace throughout the process. I highly recommend Dr. Whala to anyone who is trying to peacefully help their animal transition over the rainbow bridge.
Considering one of the hardest things I’ve done is put to rest my beloved friend, Karen made it as peaceful as could ever be for my baby. Well worth it. Karen was kind, patient, caring and considerate.
Dr Karen Whala was wonderful ! knowledgable, Compassionate and professional when we needed it the most. I will be forever great full that she was there to help guide us through this difficult time . Thank you
"Dr Karen came highly recommended from a good friend. I am so grateful she was available the morning that I had to make the decision to lay my Boerboel to rest. She made the experience so peaceful and took her time. I am so grateful to her. Thank you!"
The service offered made the decision easier to end my aged cat’s struggle to breathe. Dr. Karen was professional; explained the process and was companionate through out the visit. I appreciated the guilt free interaction with her.
Dr. Whala came to our home to help us through the passing of our dog Dakota. It was the hardest thing we had to do. Dr. Whala was wonderful. Through her kindness, compassion, and caring demeanor, it made this painful experience more bearable. We are so grateful for her and would trust her to help us in the future with our other fur babies. Highly recommended.
Dr. Whala took great care of our sweet girl. She could not have passed any more peacefully and we will always appreciate Dr Whala and Coda Pet for helping us through this very difficult time.
At home Euthanasia is a god send, my dog was comfortable in a place he felt safe. There was no stress, it was very peaceful. Dr. Karen was very respectful of our situation and our dog.
Losing our beloved Bully was one of the hardest moments for our family, but Dr. Karen Whala helped us through it with compassion, grace, and genuine care. From the moment she arrived, she created a peaceful and comforting environment that honored Bully’s life and eased his passing. Dr. Whala was incredibly supportive—not just to Bully, but to every member of our family. Her presence brought comfort during a heartbreaking time, and we are so grateful for her gentleness and professionalism. The resources shared by the CodaPet team were thoughtful and meaningful, especially the grief support and memorial ideas. It truly felt like we weren’t alone. Thank you, Dr. Whala and the entire CodaPet Care Team, for helping us say goodbye with dignity and love. We will never forget it. — Villarreal Family
She was very kind and understanding through an extremely difficult time. The process was not rushed and it went smoothly and peacefully.
Even after working for vets for almost 20 of my younger yrs, this was the most peaceful passing I've witnessed. Dr. Karen is sincerely sensitive to what you and your pet are feeling. She was kind, caring and patient. Highly recommend.
Dr. Karen Whala Was the absolute sweetest, most professional Dr that I’ve used for these services. Had I known about her years ago, I would’ve been using her for my previous pets when it was their time to be euthanized. She was very informational and told you everything she was doing before she did it. Dr. Karen Whala Truly made an INCREDIBLY difficult situation go smoothly and with her support. I couldn’t recommend Dr. Karen Whala more, honestly one of if not the best Dr to contact when in need of these services/ or an honest consultation of if your pet is even ready for euthanasia.
Dr. Karen Whala was amazing, she was kind, gentle, and soft-spoken. Cared about my sweet cat and myself very much. Having this in-home pet euthanasia instead of going to a Veterinarian’s office was so comforting.
Having Karen come to the house was the most beautiful, peaceful experience I could have wished for. She was soft spoken, compassionate, sensitive and loving toward my pet. I will never drive a pet to the vets office again for this difficult process. I held my cat the whole time. No anxiety, or pain. God bless Karen for her work.
Dr. Whala was professional, caring, and a blessing. Having her come to my house in order for Baby to be comfortable in the company of the entire family made the difference given the difficult situation of saying goodbye to our precious German Shepherd, Baby. We appreciate the services she provides to make sure Baby was treated with love and care.
Dr. Karen Whala was very great she was gentle and caring of our dear and loving bear. We really appreciate your support and kindness. Thank you.
A big thank you to Dr. Whala for her help when I needed her. She was prompt, courteous, professional, friendly, and caring. She explained everything to me beforehand and during the procedure. I finally got to hold this stray cat I had been feeding for 3 years, but wouldn't let me touch him. That meant a lot to me.
Dr Karen Whala is the biggest blessing. Not only is Dr Karen Kind, Respectful, and a true professional. The heartbreaking, sad experience of loosing our beloved pet- Dr Karen brought light, love and respect. Not only to our fur family but to us. I’m forever grateful and moved by the experience. From calling in to schedule, to the reminder and confirmation. Every step was filled with kindness and compassion! THANK YOU Dr Karen!
Dr Whala is the best compassionate Doctor. We have used her twice and during this difficult time she was an answer for our hurting hearts. Thank you so much for your empathy.
Dr. Whala is one of the most incredible, caring, intelligent person I have ever met. She turned the worst day of my life (so far) into a loving, meaningful experience. Words simply cannot describe the care that Dr. Whala took with my beloved dog. My dog passed in peaceful comfort thanks to Dr. Whala. Dr. Whala also provided us with peace with the decision that the timing was right. Working with Dr. Whala was one of the best decisions that i have ever made. I am truly grateful to Dr. Whala and will remember her for the rest of my life. The Fresno community is beyond lucky to have Dr. Whala working in it.
I used Codapet At Home Euthanasia when my beloved dog's cancer was too painful. Dr. Whala was wonderful, and I wouldn't have it any other way (no barking, clinical surroundings, strangers all around). Dr Whala made the experience calm and peaceful, and I am grateful for the wonderful service.
Dr. Karen made this very difficult situation bearable. She is knowledgeable, professional, thorough, kind, and caring. We are so thankful that God sent her to our family to care for and about our beloved Lili. God bless you, Dr. Karen. You are a gem!
She was extremely kind and respectful. I love how she explained to us what she was doing every step of the way, and spoke to my kitty with such care.
Dr. Whala is kind, calm, and compassionate. She made a difficult decision and procedure as tolerable as could be. I highly recommend her.
Karen was very gentle and kind. She explained everything she was doing or going to do. She took her time, being very considerate of my hurt. It made all the difference.
Her calmness and compassion was very appreciated. It must be difficult to maintain that level of outward empathy throughout every day in this profession. My other cats have never been comfortable around anyone else but myself and my partner but they were so at ease with Karen. It definitely takes a special kind of person. Thank you for making the experience as peaceful and painless as possible.
Dr. Karen Whela was just what our family needed when we were faced with the difficult end of life decision for our sweet 14 year old Golden, Sandy. She was compassionate, tender, patient, and understood when to explain the process and when to give us the space we needed. She clearly has the heart for this amazing work. The entire process was easy with Coda Pet and they were extremely professional. Our entire family was able to be there with Sandy and while we were sad, we all feel good about how we managed her care. I would most highly recommend Dr. Karen and Coda Pet for your loved family member pet.
Very kind, gentle. It was the hardest thing I have had to do. Dr. Whala was exceptional! She made us all feel better about the inevitable. Thank you so much!
Given that it was the most devastating day of our lives, Karen made us feel so safe and warm. Her calming energy really helped us get through it. It was so obvious that she cares so much for animals and is passionate about her path. We are so grateful for Karen and Codapet. We rest easy knowing that when Grits body left our property that he was being taken care of and treated with dignity and that was so important to us.
Dr. Karen Whala was one of the best Dr.’s we’ve ever experienced! She was so patient, professional, empathetic, sincere, and made us all feel very comfortable with her and the process of having to send our beloved Hendrix to heaven. Dr. Karen was engaged with every member of our family and Hendrix felt so at ease with her as well. We highly recommend her for anyone that decides to go this route. We couldn’t have had a better experience of this kind. She was an Angel in human form. Thank you Dr. Karen Whala💜💜💜
Dr Karen was amazing. Our poor 16 year-old lab Doberman mix could’ve never made it into a vet’s office. It was such a blessing to have her come out here and help us. She is so kind gentle and loving to both your pet and your family at such a difficult time. It was a very peaceful and beautiful moment because we all got to be there with him and say goodbye. When she went out to get the stretcher she even suggested we bring our other dogs in to sniff him so they would understand. I can’t recommend her in this service enough. Whatever extra it costs for having her come out is 100% worth it. You won’t regret it
Her approach of “I’m here for Pepper and your family “ with Pepper being comfortable the priority was wonderful. She took time to “meet” Pepper and having her doing the assessment was a blessing. She is very compassionate during this difficult process. She conveys at all time the process and what she is doing. We felt comfortable having her there as we cried and loved on our Pepper. She is WONDERFUL!
I am grateful for the service Dr. Karen provided. She was not only knowledgeable but also very professional, understanding, and empathetic. She explained everything she was doing and what to expect. She handled everything afterward and brought my friend back to me after the cremation. While it was beyond Dr. Karen’s control, I only wish my dog Zoey had a lot more white whiskers on her face before I had to say goodbye.
Dr Karen was wonderful. So gentle, compassionate, and caring, I couldn't have asked for more. I can't thank her enough for making the best of a tough time.
Dr. Whala was amazing. My boy was suffering, but she made sure he didn't feel a thing. For something so difficult to go through, Dr. Wahla made it just a little bit easier.
Karen was so compassionate when it came time for Hoppy to leave us. She was so kind and understanding of our plight. Animals are truly family and she was respectful of that. When it is time for your fur baby to go it is wonderful that someone out side of your family sees that I cannot say enough about Karen and wish her all the best.
Dr. Karen Whala was so amazing. She had such compassion, empathy, and gentleness. We couldn’t have had a better person to help us through this difficult time.
Dr. Whala is such a kind, patient, and wonderful vet. She came into our home and explained everything about the process and proceeded with such kindness and patience. Chloe was relaxed and laying in our arms when she passed and crossed over. There was no anxiety, or stress for her. Just soft hands and words. We are never ready to make the difficult decision, but knowing Chloe was ready and it was so peaceful for her, made our grieving a little more bearable. Our hearts are broke but will forever be grateful for Dr. Whala’s support and guidance during such a difficult time. Really there are no words for what she does but so grateful.
Dr Karen Whala was an angel on the most difficult day of our lives. I would recommend her to everyone I love who is facing this decision. She was gentle, informative, and loving.
The vet had a very calm and relaxing energy. My dog went very peaceful. I got the ashes back very quickly as well. She delivered them to my home herself.
Dr. Whala was extremely kind and her energy was calming. It was a heartbreaking experience, but we truly appreciate the way she was with us and most importantly, our sweet girl. She treated her with such kindness and respect, we’re truly grateful.
Dr. Karen made the entire process as peaceful as possible. Our sweet Zeus crossed the Rainbow Bridge surrounded by his family and in his home. I’d highly recommend for anyone needing to make this difficult decision
Dr. Karen was totally professional, kind, calm, and caring in the worst of circumstances. The horrible necessity of saying goodbye to my beloved shepherd Ellie was made a teeny tiny bit easier because of her kindness and compassion.
SHASTA’s POEM Shasta, golden flame Snow's whisper sang your song Water's rhythm was your heartbeat Your spirit soared over mountain peaks Squirrel's dance was your joy Your eyes saw through to the soul Love's nectar quenched our thirst Each moment, a brushstroke in your art Seventeen years, a journey complete You're the timeless note in our symphony Thank you for helping Shasta at the conclusion of her well lived full dog life. A peaceful death is a gift she deserved. .
Dr Karen was a perfect person to go through putting our beloved poodle,Tre down. She told us everything that she was doing and how it would affect Tre. It was special to have Tre is his own home with his blanket. It was a very gentle way to say goodbye. I would highly recommend Codapet and Dr Karen when you make this difficult decision for your pet.
Dr Whala an answer to my prayer as I am disabled and was at a loss on how to help my suffering boxer boy. I couldn't take him to a vet. So grateful she came to my house and in the comfort of my loyal boy was assisted in crossing the rainbow bridge. The good doctor was so gentle and compassionate towards my boy and to me in such an hour of distress. She truly has a vacation for God's creatures and a spirit of loving respect us humans too. Thanks ever so much Dr Whala and for the recorces for grief. My heart continues to be heavy not having him around. I do have great satisfaction that his passing was of great dignity and peace in his own home. He deserved all the love and care as he gave me so much in return
