MEET DR. LILY CHEN AND THE INTEGRATIVE PET TEAM
We’re happy to connect with you!
We are driven by our collective passion to create a healing space for you and your pets.
Our Veterinarians
Dr. Lily Chen, DVM, CVA, CAAS
Owner, Lead Veterinarian
Dr. Lily Chen followed her passion and obtained her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She then went on to the world-renowned University of California, Davis, to finish her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, graduating in 2007. Dr. Chen completed an internship at an emergency and specialty animal hospital, and she has been in general practice caring for dogs and cats ever since. She practiced for many years in the West Hollywood area before moving to the Palos Verdes Peninsula with her family.
Dr. Chen completed additional training and became a certified veterinary acupuncturist in 2013 by Chi University and the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS). Amazed by the miraculous results in many of her patients in response to acupuncture, she continued her training in veterinary food therapy and veterinary Chinese herbal therapy. Dr. Lily received her certification as an Animal Aromatherapy Specialist in 2023. In her more than a decade of clinical experience, Dr. Chen has found that traditional Chinese medicine complements and balances conventional medicine. Many chronic conditions and diseases can be successfully treated and managed with a more gentle and holistic approach. Treating the body as a whole promotes natural healing and better health.
Dr. Trina Hazzah, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), CVCH
Integrative Oncology Specialist at Integrative Pet Wellness Center
Dr. Trina Hazzah, a native of Washington D.C., stands at the forefront of veterinary oncology as the Integrative Oncology Specialist at Integrative Pet Wellness Center. Her educational journey in veterinary medicine began at Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, where she earned her DVM. Following her graduation, Dr. Hazzah honed her skills through a small animal internship at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey and a demanding 3-year residency in medical oncology at the Veterinary Oncology and Hematology Center in Connecticut.
In addition to her conventional medical training, Dr. Hazzah expanded her expertise by becoming a certified Veterinary Chinese Herbalist, trained at the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. This unique blend of Western and Eastern medical practices enables her to offer a comprehensive, integrative approach to cancer treatment in pets.
Dr. Hazzah’s career is marked by a profound dedication to the field of veterinary oncology. Over her nearly 15 years in practice, she has been at the cutting edge of treating and managing cancer in pets, utilizing a range of therapies to include innovative, integrative methods. Her commitment to advancing veterinary oncology is evident in her continuous pursuit of new knowledge and techniques to enhance pet care.
Dr. Hazzah is one of the only four specialty integrative oncologists in the country and the only one specializing in cannabis therapy. Her experience with cannabis is part of her broader objective to explore all possible avenues for effective cancer treatment. She has been involved in educating veterinarians about the potential applications of cannabis in veterinary medicine and has conducted research in this area. However, her heart and expertise lie predominantly in providing compassionate, comprehensive oncology care.
At the Integrative Pet Wellness Center, Dr. Hazzah’s approach to cancer treatment is characterized by a blend of state-of-the-art medical oncology consultation and holistic wellness practices. She is deeply committed to not only treating pets with cancer but also supporting their overall well-being and quality of life. Her work is an embodiment of the center’s mission to offer innovative, empathetic care to pets and their families.
Dr. Gabriela Echegaray, MV, MS, CVA, FEI VET
Veterinary Intern
Dr. Gaby is an honors graduate from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina’s prestigious veterinary school, specializing in equine medicine and graduating in 2019.
During her university studies, Dr. Gaby began gaining experience working at a specialized emergency center for small animals for two years. Her passion for horses drove her to concentrate on her studies and work experience with equines. For four years, she served as a senior technician at the Equine Hospital of her Alma Mater. Additionally, Dr. Gaby worked as the personal assistant to the world-renowned equine surgeon and specialist in equine sports medicine, Dr. Hugo Forchinitti, for two years.
Shortly after Dr. Gaby moved from her home country to Argentina to Redondo Beach in February 2020, she had the fortune of meeting Dr. Lily Chen. Through her, she was introduced to the captivating world of holistic medicine. Dr. Gaby has been working with Dr. Lily since the Integrative Pet Wellness Center began in November 2020.
Currently, Dr. Gaby has a master’s degree in equine veterinary medicine and surgery from the University of Tenerife, Spain, which she completed in 2021.
Her interest in holistic veterinary medicine led her back to working with smaller furry companions. While passionate about horses, Dr. Gaby also adores dogs and cats. She is exploring avenues to further her expertise in this field, having begun her certification in Reiki for animals, levels I, II, and Master. Her most recent accomplishment was obtaining certification in Veterinary Acupuncture from Chi University, Florida, USA, in 2023.
Dr. Gaby and her Husband proudly share their home with Uma, the sweet cat, and Ciro, the affectionate Terranova dog.
She looks forward to seeing Henry, her thoroughbred horse, soon. Henry is a retired horse that is spending his golden years being happy in Argentina.
Dr. Rachel Baleras
Veterinary Intern
Bio coming soon!
Our Lovely Team
Dianne, RVT
Practice Manager
About Dianne
Dianne was born in the Philippines and moved to California when she was nine years old. She grew up with large dogs, which led to her passion for animals, and she decided to pursue a career in Veterinary Medicine. Dianne finished her RVT license from Mt. San Antonio College in 2015. She has worked in a Cat Specialty for six years and is also known as the cat whisperer because of her calm energy around stressed cats in a hospital setting. Throughout the years of working in the field, she found enjoyment in doing pet dentistry. Since she started working here at Integrative Pet Wellness Center, she also learned about Pet Reiki Energy Healing and practiced this healing modality.
Dianne is a busy mom of three and has three small dogs, two cats, and a husband. During the pandemic, Dianne started doodling on her iPad and decided to open a small business that makes custom pet items (like stickers, mugs, and phone cases). You can find her Etsy shop here. Dianne is a Palos Verdes local, and you might see her cruising the area with her electric bike. In her spare time, she tries to learn French, going to boba shops, and hiking trails with her friends & family.
Dianne’s food for thought: animals are only in our lives for a short amount of time. Let’s cherish it and give them hugs and kisses every day.
Maria, RVT
Registered Veterinary Technician
About Maria
Maria, a California native, is a registered veterinary technician with many years of experience in multi-specialty and critical care. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of California, Davis. Maria also attended the University of Tennessee’s Canine Rehabilitation Program as well as Ojai’s School of Canine Massage.
She enjoys working with all types of animals and seeing the results of integrative medicine. In her eyes, all animals can benefit from manual therapy, including massage, stretching, and range of motion exercises. Maria enjoys working hands-on with pets and supporting their individual needs. Her passion is to support the wellness path of our furry friends and their caretakers.
Maria also has a keen interest in animal behavior. There is so much welcome and, at times, unwelcome behavior from our furry friends. She likes to smooth out any wrinkles for a stress-free life for both pets and their caretakers.
In her time away from work, she likes to be out in nature. Maria loves hiking, yoga, photography, and restoring furniture. She lives with her two beloved dogs, Toochi and Lili, and her cat Eliza.
Karina
Veterinary Technician
About Karina
Karina comes to us with over 12 years of experience, as well as 10 years of working with exotic pets such as rabbits, chinchillas, ferrets, birds, and reptiles. Her favorite exotic pets to work with were rats.
Karina lives a very active and holistic lifestyle. The more she has educated herself on health in her own personal life, the more her mindset has shifted in how she feels about Western medicine approaches. She knew there were other ways that weren’t being talked about to help the body heal in a more holistic style approach. She feels passionate that when we give our bodies the right things they need, such as proper hydration, an unprocessed, healthy whole food balanced diet, and supplementation, the body can thrive in an optimal state.
Karina resides in Costa Mesa with her pit bull Sage. In her free time, you can find her at her favorite CrossFit or UFC gym. She loves live music, trying out new restaurants, and anything to do with water, whether that’s at the beach, boating at the lake, or lying by a pool. Meditation, journaling, sound baths, and daily personal development also play a big role in her life.
Shannon
Office Manager
About Shannon
Shannon’s kindness and determination drive her passion for helping animals. She faces each day with a holistic and optimistic mindset that allows her to give 100% effort to each pet and pet parent she meets. In addition to her love for animals, Shannon also enjoys playing with her own adorable labradoodle, Abby, and staying active. As she continues her journey towards veterinary medical school, she could not be more grateful to be surrounded by such incredible and inspiring unicorns at Integrative Pet Wellness Center!
Lindsey, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
About Lindsey
Hailing all the way from beautiful northern Michigan, Lindsey loves to spend time with her husband and two cats, Archer and Malakai. Her hobbies include hiking, weight lifting, listening to music, camping, napping, and eating ice cream. She also enjoys creepy crawlies and keeps a few jumping spiders as “pets.” Lindsey has always had a passion for animals and distinctly remembers watching Discovery Channel with her dad growing up, gathering as many random animal facts as she could!
Elizabeth
Veterinary Assistant
About Elizabeth
She happily returned back to San Pedro in 2020 and has been working on people at an integrative practice in Long Beach until she decided that she wanted to return to her childhood passion of caring for animals. She is currently pursuing licensure to become a Veterinary Assistant at California Healing Arts College and is thrilled to have found a veterinary practice that aligns so perfectly with her own life’s values.
Mickie
Veterinary Assistant
About Mickie
Bio coming soon!