Dena Lodato, MS, DVM, ACVS, CCRP

    Dr. Lodato has been a surgeon in the gulf coast region since 2010. She is board certified through ACVS, certified in pain management, and canine physical rehabilitation. Her areas of interest are stifle disease, fracture management, intervertebral disc disease, pain management, regenerative and rehabilitative medicine. She prides herself in client communication and follows her patients through the entire process from surgery to recovery.  ​

Alex Loga DVM, CVA

Dr Loga provides Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine and is part of our Pain Management Team. Dr Loga did her undergraduate work at Texas A&M, went Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, then completed her CVA at the Chi Institute. She has a special interest in management of chronic and acute pain in veterinary patients. Dr Alex consults and treats all of our post operative patients. Her work allows our patients a more comfortable recovery from their surgical procedures. She also teams up with our rehabilitation staff to provide pain management solutions for our geriatric patients suffering from osteoarthritis and/or degenerative neurological disease.

Roy “Boogie” Yates, Jr. DVM 
​Practice limited to Neurology

Dr. Yates attended Louisiana State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 2002, followed by St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine where he earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2008. As part of the curriculum, he matriculated at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine for a clinical year of experience. Following his graduation from veterinary school, he completed a year long internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Louisiana Veterinary Referral Center in Mandeville where he worked with Dr. Dena Lodato DVM and Robby Porter CCRP.  Dr Yates then completed a three-year residency in Veterinary Neurology and Neurosurgery at Metropolitan Veterinary Referral Group in Akron, Ohio. Following his residency training, Dr. Yates and his wife worked in Scranton, PA for several years before moving back to Louisiana where he represented a Neurology and Neurosurgery Department in Mandeville and New Orleans. Dr. Yates is experienced in all aspects of small animal neurology/neurosurgery with particular interests in the management of seizures especially cluster seizures, meningitis, chiari-like malformation, syringomyelia, and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Dr. Yates is an active advocate of continuing education for veterinary professionals and has lectured on a variety of neurology topics.
On a personal note, Dr Roy Yates captured the nickname "Boogie" when he was very young and it reflects his easy to talk with, down to earth nature.  He continues to be called Boogie or Dr Boogie by family, friends and colleges.

Our Staff

    Our team has worked together in many settings over the years and our ability to come together is nothing short of a wonderful and dedicated management team. Dr. Lodato has handpicked some of the best technicians, practitioners, and office personnel in the field of veterinary surgery and rehabilitation to join her at Resurge. The Resurge staff has extensive experience in surgical and non-surgical treatments including, but not limited to, CrCL ruptures, intervertebral disc disease, hip dysplasia, fracture management, osteoarthritis and/or chronic pain management. You can rest assured that every detail in patients care and clients communication will be cared for with the same level of commitment that Dr. Lodato has been known for.  
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rehab department lead
​Melissa O'brien, RVT
​Certified canine rehabilitation practitioner

    Melissa O’Brien RVT, CCRP, has 20 years of experience as a veterinary technician and 5 years of clinical experience in veterinary referral physical rehabilitation. Melissa is engaged with the doctors and client during the patient's post-operative rehab evaluation, and she ensures that treatments and patient progress are on track and effective through the entire recovery cycle of your pet. Melissa has a high energy and bubbly disposition with excellent attention to detail, both equally important characteristics necessary to run a department this busy.

Surgery Department lead
​Kelly Keen, RVT

    Kelly Keen has been a Registered Veterinary Technician since 2013. After graduation she went directly into referral practice. She quickly moved up in ranks and became the supervisor of the surgery department at the hospital that she was working in. She has continued to hold supervision status and taking care of the many details involved in managing our surgical team. Kelly has a passion for what she does, expects everything to run smoothly and knows how to make that happen.
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Cat Barzon, CHT-v

    Cat is a Certified Hyperbaric Technologist and has been providing  hyperbaric therapy to surgical and non-surgical patients since 2016. Her attention to detail and rigid adherence to protocol keeps our patients safe and recovering faster from surgery or injury. 

Jaycelin Higginbotham

Jaycelin Higginbotham has been working in veterinary medicine since graduating high school in 2016. She’s had a special interest in animals since birth and regularly competes in western equestrian events. Over the years she’s gained experience in both general and specialty veterinary medicine and has grown a strong interest in surgery and aftercare. Currently she is working toward her veterinary technology degree as well as simultaneously getting certified in canine rehabilitation through the University of Tennessee.