Meet the Team

Dr. Bob Bebko founded the Cat Clinic and Hospital in 1979 after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1975. He worked for three years after graduation with one of the first feline specialty veterinary practices in the U.S., in Jenkintown, Pa, outside of Philadelphia. That’s at total of over 40 years of practicing with cats only!  

Born in Quincy, Ma, to a naval officer father, Dr. Bob grew up in Erie, and attended Gannon University, where he was on the wrestling team and majored in biology. For a year in between his college education and veterinary school Dr. Bob was a U.S. Marine, working on various Marine fighter jets. He continued to serve in the Marine Reserves throughout veterinary school and completed his service in 1975.

During veterinary school his experience with his own cat at a veterinary practice convinced him of the need for practices that understood and respected cats. He’s never looked back once at his decision to specialize. Dr. Bob was one of the first veterinarians in the US to be board certified in Feline Practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. As a Diplomate he often helped prepare board exams for new applicants. Dr. Bob has two daughters, one is an accountant and one is a neuroscientist at Pitt. He currently has 4 cats….Harry, Timmy, Boo, and Lulu, and the clinic cats, Thornton, and newest member, Tilly.

Dr. Donna Hughes is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, and also has a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. She is a native of Pittsburgh, and lives with her six cats, Onyx, Midnight, Delilah, Tiger, Samantha, and Reesey…and one dog, Shadow. Her love of cats, enjoyment of being with people, attention to detail, and decades of experience are all qualities she brings with her to the Cat Clinic and Hospital. She enjoys seeing and playing with the kitten patients, and being able to handle cats in a manner that they are least stressed, and the Cat Clinic and Hospital gives her the opportunity to practice in this manner. A meaningful quote that inspires her is by Jose Ortega y…”Life is fired at us point blank.”

Geri has been at the Cat Clinic and Hospital, since it opened in 1979!  She was born and raised in Pittsburgh, and Geri and her husband Bob Full, were one of the first to bring their feline family, Tom and Tuffy, to the Cat Clinic.  Geri has been through all 45 years of our existence, first as a client and then as an integral part of our day to day operations.   She has a deep compassion for both animals and people, and has used her excellent communication and organizational skills to guide us through those 45 years caring for cats.  If you are a Cat Clinic and Hospital client, you certainly have seen her in many capacities, but the most memorable is as our ‘leader.’ 

Geri grew up with pets and when her first cat died of distemper only two weeks after adoption when she was 11, she knew she wanted to work with cats when she grew up. Along the way, she married Robert (Bob) Full who in 1987, as the Assistant Chief of the City of Pittsburgh Paramedics, helped rescue Dr. Robert Bebko’s family and cats from the Cat Clinic and Hospital in the middle of the night when a train derailed with hazardous materials in April 1987, and all of Bloomfield was evacuated.  Bob Full later went on to become the Chief of Allegheny County Emergency Services. Geri was married for 39 years when Bob passed away in 2020.  Geri has two children and three grandchildren. Geri has had many cats over the past 45 year, and currently shares her home with 17 year old Coco, a kitten the Cat Clinic and Hospital triaged when she was rescued from a Homewood construction project.

Geri enjoys time with her family when not working, and her favorite place to vacation is Disneyworld, which she has visited over 20 times since her honeymoon there in 1981. On her bucket list is traveling throughout Europe, and learning a new language.  

TJ GOGGINS

TJ has migrated to the Cat Clinic and Hospital from a start in the retail dog boarding industry.  She grew up mainly with pet dogs, but within the past few years has become a ‘cat person,’ like most of us.  Her cats, Megatron and Peep, likely influenced her choice in coming to work at the Cat Clinic after a few visits.  With a B.S. degree from Edinboro University in Biology (pre-vet), her new found love for cats, and her long time desire to work with and help animals, TJ is a welcome addition to our staff.

In her time away from work, TJ enjoys to spend time on her hobbies:  reading, drawing, and D & D.  She also enjoys listening to good music and spending time in the company of friends and family, especially enjoying some fresh air with them away from the city.  She has many causes she cares about amongst which are animal rights, universal healthcare, LGBTQ rights and affordable housing. 
TJ hopes there will be continued research in veterinary medicine so that the best possible care will be able to be provided to animals. On her bucket list is to travel back to Japan and to visit Italy and Spain someday.  TJ would also like to learn a new language or two, and take up gardening.  Maybe a catnip garden for Megatron and Peep!

Jennifer has been a veterinary technician with us for many years. She has been a pet groomer for almost 20 years, and when not at the Cat Clinic and Hospital, she has her own grooming business in the South Hills. She is a graduate of the Pittsburgh Vet Tech Institute. She has known since she was a child that she wanted to work with animals. She enjoys working with the cats and her fellow staff members at the Cat Clinic and Hospital.

Born in Baltimore, MD, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, crafting and hanging out with her pets. She has two dogs and five cats, and her most memorable pet is a cat that was part Norwegian Forest Cat which she had as a young child. It was this cat that inspired her to go into veterinary medicine as an adult. On her bucket list : visiting Hawaii, a Caribbean cruise, and visiting Sedona, Az.

Valerie started working with us after several years of being a client. When asked how she decided on a career in veterinary medicine, she said “I fell into it and I’m very happy I landed here.” Valerie’s favorite parts of working at the Cat Clinic and Hospital are her co-workers, the cats, and the clients. She has spent the better part of her life in Pittsburgh, and studied Elementary Education and Dance/Movement Therapy in college. She studied ballet most of her life. She has always had cats in her life, and now lives with her cat Nigel.

Some of you remember Emily greeting you and your cat from 1990 – 1996 as you came into the Cat Clinic and Hospital…..30 years ago!  Well, we are ever so fortunate that Emily has moved back from Philadelphia (Kennett Square), and after all those years has come back to be with us once again.  Emily was born and raised in Erie, PA, and moved to the Pittsburgh area after high school.  She attended Pitt, and then later moved on to live in Savannah, Georgia, and then on to Kennett Square.   In the process, she worked in banking, and then when she realized she missed working in veterinary medicine.  Emily is now a licensed veterinary technician having earned her degree from Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, PA in 2000.  

Emily grew up with a cat, who lived to the old age of 21 years, and currently has both a 20 year old cat, Percival, and a 15 year old Golden Retriever, named Mabel.  She has spent a total of 26 years working in veterinary medicine, and thinks that her work with both cats and dogs over the years has led her to a deep understanding that cats are not just ‘little dogs.’  Her favorite part of working at the Cat Clinic and Hospital are the cats! …and working with people who have dedicated their lives to caring for cats.  She most enjoys being able to contribute to the well-being of cats at the Cat Clinic and Hospital. 
 

“One cat just leads to another.”  Ernest Hemingway