Nichole Parand, DVM

Owner / Medical Director

Dr. Nichole Parand is a dedicated and compassionate veterinarian with over five years of experience in providing exceptional care for cats. Originally from Arizona, Dr. Parand earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona before pursuing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at Kansas State University. She joined The Cat Hospital in June of 2025 and also serves the broader South Bay area doing relief work, offering veterinary care that prioritizes the well-being of every pet.

With a special passion for dentistry, surgery, and end-of-life/palliative care, Dr. Parand is committed to delivering expert care tailored to each animal's unique needs. She understands the importance of providing individualized, compassionate care for both pets and their families, taking the time to listen to each family’s concerns and preferences. Dr. Parand knows that every pet and family is unique, and she strives to offer the most thoughtful and personalized care possible. She is both Fear Free and Cat Friendly Certified.

Philip J. Shanker, D.V.M.

Diplomate, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners - Feline Specialty - Past Owner of The Cat Hospital (30 Years)

Dr. Shanker was previously the owner and director of The Cat Hospital for over 30 years.  He grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and is a 1977 graduate of the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine.  After completing a 14-month internship in Boston he joined a general/specialty practice in New York, then moved to California for The Cat Hospital in 1982.

Dr. Shanker is a founding fellow of the Feline Academy of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and was instrumental in establishing a feline specialty certification. He is board certified in feline medicine and surgery and recently passed his recertification requirements.  He is a past president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and has served on many AAFP committees, most recently on the research and leadership development committees.

Dr. Shanker has performed tens of thousands of surgical procedures from routine to highly complicated cases. He has been a guest host on several radio and television programs to discuss feline health issues. He also served on a City of San Jose committee establishing a voucher system to provide feline sterilization procedures for people with financial need.  He is a past president of the Santa Clara County Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Shanker  maintains a full-time schedule at The Cat Hospital, where he sees a full range of cases from routine physical exams to specialty referrals.  Dr. Shanker and his wife, Cindy, live in Los Gatos and have two adult children.  They also have two cats, Rocky and Bootsie.  Their cat "Cupcake" in the above photo lived to be 21 years old.

Kirsten K. Mattern, D.V.M.

Dr. Mattern is a native of the south bay who graduated from Stanford University and the U.C. Davis College of Veterinary Medicine (1999).  She spent several years working in a general veterinary practice in southern California before returning to the bay area in 2007.  In addition to being the mother of three children, Dr. Mattern cares for a personal menagerie of 5 cats, a dog, a guinea pig and fish.  

Shanna Compton, DVM

When I was 3, I wanted to be an astronaut. When I was 5, I saw what a veterinarian did for a living and immediately changed my career plans. When I was 10, I managed to talk the local veterinarian into letting me clean cages at his practice and decided that this was, indeed, the right place for me. It was not an easy path by any means, and I did work in the software field briefly before starting veterinary school. In 1996, I graduated from U/C Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and my life has not been the same since. I have worked at several different practices over the years, from San Francisco to King City, from Pacifica to Stockton, learning different techniques and approaches to help our feline companions. I live in the Santa Cruz mountains with 4 chickens, and I am a full time servant to my two feline overlords who are named Tåka and Glør. In the times between work and home, I read fantasy/SF, knit, and play tabletop role playing games.

Monique Randhawa, D.V.M.

Monique Randhawa grew up in Morgan Hill, CA. She moved to the Midwest and graduated from Oklahoma State University with her BS in Animal Science. She received her DVM in 2024 from the University of California, Davis. Upon graduating, Dr. Randhawa started her role as an associate veterinarian in feline and canine medicine before starting at The Cat Hospital.

Dr. Randhawa has a focus in companion animal medicine with a special interest in behavior. She is passionate about ensuring access to quality care tailored to the individual needs of each pet, and she works towards creating a more positive hospital experience for her patients. What Dr. Randhawa loves most about her job is the variety of cases she encounters and raising awareness on various pet care topics.

Outside of work, Dr. Randhawa enjoys spending time with her two dogs (Mishri and Churri) and her cat, Gremlin. She also enjoys yoga, outdoor adventures such as hiking, being around water, and traveling to explore new areas.