Karen Atlas, MPT, CCRT
Director of Animal Rehabilitation

Karen is an experienced and licensed human Physical Therapist having graduated with a Masters degree from UC San Francisco/San Francisco State University in 1996. After adopting an injured dog named Teddy, she soon became passionate about applying her therapy skills and knowledge to the canine population. She is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) and graduated from the Canine Rehabilitation Institute. She is the first and only certified canine rehab specialist practicing in her hometown of Santa Barbara.

Dave Dawson, DVM

Dr. Dawson graduated from the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. Along with his successful and award-winning San Roque Pet Hospital, Dr. Dawson had the vision and saw the need to expand into physical rehabilitation. Together, Karen and Dr. Dawson make up a unique and educated team of animal care specialists who are commited to serving your pet with compassion and expertise.

Jillian Lake
Rehabilitation Assistant

Jillian has always had a very strong affinity for animals. She grew up in a small town in San Diego County and started riding horses at a very young age. Jillian always hoped of finding a career in which she could combine her love of science and passion for animals. As a member of the HydroPaws team coupled with her recent completion of a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from UCSB, her hopes are now realized. HydroPaws is the perfect place for Jillian to thrive since she can now pour her knowledge, skill and passion into something that she truly cares about. We are so fortunate to have her as a part of the HydroPaws team! Even Jillian’s spare time is spent with dogs, since she is often found training her newest member of her family, a golden/border collie mix named “Packer.”

Kaylene Wagner
Rehabilitation Assistant

Kaylene was born and raised in Goleta, CA. She graduated from Dos Pueblos HS in 2002, and then attended Cal Poly State University to study Animal Science. She later transferred to Kansas State University where she was so compelled with studying the body and how it works that she completed both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Kinesiology. As an elite competitive athlete in the high jump for the track and field team at KSU, she earned her way to the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Trials where she achieved her personal best of 6’ 3.5”. She has always been intrigued by and passionate about working with animals. Her love of animals coupled with her knowledge of how the body works and moves makes her a great addition to the HydroPaws team.