ABOUT US
What We Do
At the Animal Wellness Center of OC, we are passionate believers in improving and restoring the quality of life for our four-legged family members.
Our integrative and holistic therapies complement Western medicine, with a gentle, alternative approach to treatment. AWCOC offers pet parents a wide range of wellness options, educational opportunities, and resources to help you make an informed decision about caring for your pet. Our treatments are designed to bring comfort and tranquility to your pet, calming their anxiety, and giving you peace of mind. All pets go through a thorough evaluation by one of our seasoned veterinarians before any treatment program can begin.
Meet Our Team
Dr Debra Voulgaris is a native New Yorker who received her Bachelor’s degree from
SUNY Stony Brook and a Master’s degree from CUNY Hunter College. She earned her
Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Ross University in 2005, completing her final year
at Louisiana State University. She then pursued further clinical training with an equine
medicine internship in New York and an anesthesia internship at the University of
Georgia before returning to her New York City roots in general practice. In 2007, she became certified in veterinary acupuncture through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS). After a few years in private practice, she
accepted a three-year anesthesia residency at the University of Tennessee. During this time, in addition to her duties as a resident, she helped create the university’s integrative medicine department, served as the sole equine acupuncturist, and won first place for her resident research project on pain management and anesthesia.
Upon completing her residency in 2011, Dr. Voulgaris moved to Southern California,
where she is now a recognized expert in animal rehabilitation and integrative medicine.
In addition to her DVM and IVAS certification, she holds certifications in Canine Rehabilitation, Tui-na ( a branch of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) , Medical Ozone therapy, and Low Stress Handling, with advanced training in Animal Chiropractic,Food Therapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen Medicine, Longevity Medicine, and Veterinary
Homeopathy. Her professional interests include pain management, mitochondrial
health, cell function and oxygen utilization, understand inflammation (which she believes is the root of many evils), nutrition, and longevity medicine.An ethical vegan since 2011, Dr.Voulgaris is first and foremost a dedicated advocate for her patients and the well-being of all animals. She has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed veterinary journals and continues to share her expertise through talks for various audiences. Above all, she views learning as a way of life and is committed to empowering animal caregivers through comprehensive client education.
“In order to give my patients the best possible outcome, and maximize the healing potential, it is important that pet guardians understand the medical issues affecting their pets’ health.”
Dr. Block began his career as a chiropractor working on people over 35 years ago. In 2002, he became certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) and began his passion for working with animals. Dr. Block is a gifted animal chiropractor who has the ability of sensory touch and has worked many years with animals and understands how they communicate. He has been providing holistic animal chiropractic care for more than 23 years and serves as a chiropractic consultant to Cal Poly Pomona. Holistic chiropractic takes the whole being into account, including posture and relationship to the environment. It is about the ability to feel the flow of energy and finding the flow of obstacles that is hampering it. Once the trigger point is found Dr. Block uses a cold laser therapy device that clears out the tension causing the pain.
Dr.Block also developed a program called Aquapractic which takes the principles of animal chiropractic and performs them in the heated swimming pool exclusively offered here at the Animal Wellness Center of OC.
Dr. Hannah Stone has 2 senior pups and a rambunctious shepherd (not pictured as often on zoomies). She’s passionate about helping pets thrive in their golden years and maintaining a good quality of life for both pets and their human partners. When she’s away from grey muzzled faces, you might see her out on the hiking trails, in the pilates studio, or reading her favourite book on the beach.
Also, Dr. Stone is proficient in both emergency and integrative therapies. She obtained her veterinary medical degree with honours at the University of Florida, followed by a medicine and surgery internship. She was a part of the emergency and critical care team at a multidisciplinary specialty center in England before relocating to sunny California to pursue rehabilitation and integrative therapies. She’s absolutely thrilled to be part of the Animal Wellness Center of Orange County, providing exceptional care to animals and their companions of Southern California.
Lourdes brings a lifelong love for dogs and more than 30 years’ sales experience in the health care industry with her to AWCOC. Her commitment to the central tenets of good business led her to partner with Barb West to build the Animal Wellness Center of OC, providing services and a facility that the Orange County community had long needed.
While her love for animals started as a very young girl, Lourdes’ desire to work with animals and provide comfort to their parents came about as a result of her beloved Stella, a Dogue De Bordeaux having to have TPLO surgery that later led to a diagnosis of bone cancer.
Through the Animal Wellness Center, she could bring the same kind of healing, inner peace, and calm that she had experienced to other pet parents.
“I couldn’t believe that there was not a rehabilitation facility in Orange County for my dog Stella. Fortunately, a good friend offered Stella the use of their pool. I searched and couldn’t believe this place I had created in my mind did not exist yet in Orange County.” Because of Stella’s condition she gave me the inspiration to open what is now the Animal Wellness Center of OC.
