Dena Lodato, MS, DVM, DACVS, CCRP, cht-v
​owner/medical director

    Dr. Lodato has been a surgeon in the Gulf Coast region since 2010. She is board certified through the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). She also has certifications in pain management, canine physical rehabilitation (CCRP), and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (CHT-V). 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.
   ​Outside of Resurge, Dr. Lodato likes to spend her time riding motorcycles with her fiancé while advocating as a member of Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) and horseback riding. They have a full house with 4 dogs and 4 cats and LOTS of medications! 😄

Rachel Kobe, DVM, CVA, ccrv

   Dr. Rachel Kobe graduated from LSU School of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. She is a certified veterinary acupuncturist and has rehabilitation and herbal therapy training through Chi University. Her special interests include pain management and improving the mobility of her patients. 

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

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    Dr. Yates earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana State University in 2002, followed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from St. George’s University School in 2008. Following his graduation from veterinary school, he completed a yearlong internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Louisiana Veterinary Referral Center in Mandeville. 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 interests in the management of seizures (especially cluster), meningitis, chiari-like malformation, syringomyelia, and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).    
     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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​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 to become the supervisor of the surgery department where she was working. She has continued to hold supervision status and taking care of the many details involved in managing our surgical team.  Kelly expects surgery to operate smoothly and efficiently and knows how to make that happen with the team she has curated. 
​     In addition to running the surgery department, Kelly takes on many administrative tasks in the day-to-day operations of the clinic.
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Hyperbaric oxygen lead
​Regan Gray, CVT, CHT-v

    Regan has worked in veterinary medicine since 1996 and has been a CVT since 2002. She worked primarily in general practice, but upon moving to Louisiana in 2014, she moved into specialty surgery. She enjoys the focused details needed to run safe and balanced anesthesia and the hyperbaric chamber. She received her Certified Hyperbaric Technician - Veterinary license in 2023. She loves to see the immediate improvement that a patient can make after corrective surgery, as well as the faster recovery that can happen after hyperbaric oxygen therapy.