Meet the Team

Our 1st Care Animal Health Clinic, started over sixteen years ago, serving Centinela Feed and Pet Supplies customers as well as some local organizations.  We have been steadily growing ever since! Our team consists of highly skilled, licensed veterinarians, a veterinarian advisory board, and caring, friendly, patient and knowledgeable staff. We offer a full range of high-quality vaccination options as well as prescription de-worming, micro-chipping that includes free-lifetime registration, and prescription Flea, Heartworm and Parasite prevention products. We currently offer Heartworm testing for Dogs and FeLV/FIV testing for Cats with results in 10-minutes at any clinic location; D-H-P Titer testing for Dogs is also available at any clinic with results e-mailed in a few days. In addition, we recently added some fantastic products to help maintain your pets dental health in between regular cleanings at your Vet. Ask about your options! You can rest assured when attending any of our mobile clinics that your best friend will receive the quality, loving care they deserve. We ensure this by providing a friendly, nurturing environment and only offering vaccinations and products that have your furry friend’s health and wellness in mind. We will never recommend unnecessary vaccinations and follow the current guidelines published by the American Animal Hospital Association and American Association of Feline Practitioners to avoid over-vaccinating.

Veterinary Advisory Board

Dr. Karla Hopper – DVM – Managing Licensee

DrHopper

Dr. Hopper grew up in rural Lakeside, California, always with at least two dogs and numerous cats.  During high school as a 4H and FFA member she was always involved with the care and raising of animals and knew she wanted to be involved with working with animals the rest of her life.  After attending Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo for undergrad, she graduated from UC Davis Veterinary School in 1997.  She worked as a small animal veterinarian in Northern California for 5 years until moving to Europe where she worked as the veterinarian on a US Army Base in Germany and Italy for 5 years.  Since moving back to the States in 2007, she has been working with First Care Animal Health Clinics providing quality low cost vaccinations and education for pets in the Los Angeles area.  She currently lives in San Pedro with her husband, son, dog, 2 cats and numerous fish.

Dr. Laura E. Cochrane – Veterinary Advisory Board Member

Dr. Laura Cochrane

A native of Virginia, Dr. Cochrane graduated from veterinary school at Virginia Tech in 1997. After completing an internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the University of Illinois, she worked in small animal private practice for several years, eventually making her way to Los Angeles. It was here that she began to realize the need for veterinarians to get out in the community and encourage responsible pet guardianship. Working at mobile clinics around the city has been an incredibly rewarding opportunity to do this, and Dr. Cochrane is always happy to provide information on animal adoption and spay/neuter. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering for Best Friends Animal Society, working in her vegetable garden, and hanging out with her 3 rescued cats and dogs.

Dr. Stephannie Tallent – Veterinary Advisory Board Member

Stephannie-Tallent

Dr. Stephannie Tallent graduated from veterinary school from Texas A&M in 1999.  Prior to that she served as a military intelligence officer after her graduation in 1989 from West Point.  A California native, she couldn’t wait to be back by the beach.  She moved to the Los Angeles area immediately after graduation and has worked in the Los Angeles, Long Beach, and North Orange County areas since then, initially as an associate and then as a relief, or locum tenens, veterinarian.  She lives in Hermosa Beach with her husband Dave and cats Meggie and Cali. Besides being a vet, she’s also a published author and knitting pattern designer.  She doesn’t have much spare time, but enjoys beachcombing, traveling, and watching movies.