Get to know our team!
Meet the Veterinarians & Team of Center for Veterinary Pain Management and Rehabilitation! We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!
Meet Our Veterinarians & Staff
Dr. Rick Wall, DVM, DACVSMR, CCRP, CMTPT
Owner / Veterinarian
A 1979 graduate of Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Wall is the medical director of Animal Clinics of The Woodlands and the Center for Veterinary Pain Management and Rehabilitation. Following an initial career in equine medicine, Dr. Wall opened Animal Clinic at Cochran’s Crossing located in The Woodlands, TX, in 1995. This was to be the first of three primary veterinary care locations that now form Animal Clinics of The Woodlands. In 2004, Dr. Wall opened the Center for Veterinary Pain Management and Rehabilitation. He is certified in canine rehabilitation through the University of Tennessee and a board-certified specialist in sports medicine and rehabilitation.
Dr. Wall's Certifications and Professional Associations
- Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner–University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine
- Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist – Myopain Seminars, Bethesda, MD
- Member–International Academy of Veterinary Pain Management (IVAPM)
- 2019 President – Texas Veterinary Medical Association
Dr. Kate Stanford, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Kate Stanford brings a unique combination of advanced rehabilitation training and hands-on experience with working and athletic dogs to the Center for Veterinary Pain Management and Rehabilitation.
Originally from Northeast Ohio, Dr. Stanford earned both her undergraduate degree and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Tennessee. She recently completed a residency in Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Tennessee and has additional advanced training in veterinary chiropractic care and acupuncture.
Before pursuing veterinary medicine, Dr. Stanford served 10 years in the United States Marine Corps, where she gained extensive experience with military and working dogs. That background continues to shape a special interest in caring for military, law-enforcement, personal-protection, sporting, and other working dogs, with a focus on supporting performance, mobility, recovery, and long-term function.
Her expertise extends well beyond canine athletes. Dr. Stanford is especially passionate about helping senior pets and pets experiencing mobility challenges or chronic pain maintain an active, comfortable life. She incorporates individualized weight management, therapeutic exercise, rehabilitation, and appropriate pain management to help preserve function and quality of life.
For Dr. Stanford, successful rehabilitation is about more than improving mobility; it’s about helping pets continue doing the things they love and giving families more quality time with the companions who mean so much to them.
Kari Koudelka LVT, CCRP, VTS-(physical rehabilitation)
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Kari Koudelka graduated with her AAS degree in Veterinary Technology from Tomball College in 2004. Following graduation, Kari began working in rehabilitation for Dr. Richard Wall. Since that time, she has been director of rehabilitation and the head rehabilitation technician for the Center for Veterinary Pain Management and Rehabilitation in The Woodlands, Texas. She achieved her certification as a certified canine rehabilitation practitioner (CCRP) through the University of Tennessee’s Canine Rehabilitation program in 2005. In 2007, she completed courses in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Veterinary Technicians at the Chi Institute in Florida. Since 2012, Kari has helped Dr. Wall as a staff member for the Canine Myofascial Trigger Point Course through MyoPain Seminars. Kari has also been involved with the creation of a VTS—or Veterinary Technician Specialty—in physical rehabilitation and served on the organizing committee where she served as president, then as executive director of the Academy of Physical Rehabilitation Veterinary Technicians (APRVT). She has also served as a founding technician and technician liaison board member for the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians. Kari has written peer-reviewed articles for Veterinary Team Brief and contributed to the textbook Pain Management for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses. She is active on the advisory committee for the Veterinary Technology program at Tomball College and works with their internship program as a specialty practice. In March 2017, She was honored as the 2017 Veterinary Technician of the Year from the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA).
When Kari is not focusing her talents and expertise in the field of veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation, she enjoys working out, outdoor activities, and spending time with friends. Most importantly, she enjoys spending downtime with her two dachshunds, Alfie and Francisco, and her terrier mix, Kip.
Sharon Hessong, CVA3
Certified Veterinary Assistant III
Sharon was born and raised in Houston and has been in the veterinary profession for more than 30 years. She has worked here at The Animal Clinics of The Woodlands and Center for Veterinary Pain Management for the last 16 years. Each patient is special to her, and she treats each patient as if they were her own. Sharon’s professional interests include emergency medicine and assisting in the rehabilitation of animals. Sharon has her Certified Veterinary Assistant Level III certificate and is working toward her Licensed Veterinary Technician degree. Outside of work, Sharon enjoys spending time with her boyfriend Scott and her 2 dogs, a dachshund named Miller and a lab/beagle mix named Harley. She also enjoys going to the beach, fishing, and watching baseball.