Medical Services

Carolyn Naun, DVM, CHPV (she/her)

Owner / Medical Director

photo of Dr. Naun

Phone: Extension 3
Email: cnaun@armsofaloha.com

Carolyn has been a practicing veterinarian for over twenty years. Having worked in a wide variety of practice settings across the United States, she has called Hawaii home since 2010.

Always interested in animal welfare and the human-animal bond, she takes great pleasure in helping clients solve problems, thinking out of the box, and employing creativity to work with the resources at hand. She is passionate about recommending treatments supported by solid scientific evidence and helping pet owners understand the known risks and benefits of a specific therapy.

By far the most gratifying aspect of veterinary medicine for her is the ability to prevent and relieve suffering for pets and their caregivers. Recognizing a great need for quality, family-focused palliative (comfort) care in Hawaii, she launched Arms of Aloha in August of 2015. In October of 2017, she was in the very first class of students to gain certification in Animal Hospice and Palliative Care, elevating this important niche to a true specialty of veterinary medicine.

[Photo credit: Haute Creatures/Loma Photography]

Colette Matsuda

Care Navigator

Colette was born and raised on Oahu. She discovered her love for the veterinary practice in 2017, becoming a veterinary technician. Colette has worked in a variety of veterinary settings, including 24- hour emergency hospitals and general practice clinics. She loves caring for animals in any way she can and hopes her experiences can help others in their time of need. Colette not only has a fur baby of a miniature dachshund and a peach face love bird but also is mom to a spunky daughter.

Darah Ocreto-Endo

Care Navigator

Darah was born and raised here on Oahu. She graduated from UH Manoa in Nursing and practiced nursing for 2 years before deciding to pursue her true passion of working wtih animals. She became a veterinary technician in 2015 and continued in the field for seven years. She has worked in different veterinary settings, including 24-hour hospitals and clinics, that gave her various opportunities to further her knowledge and love of animals. Leaving the veterinary technician role was not easy, but she felt it was time for a change. She feels grateful to be a part of a team that offers such a specialized service to the island and hopes that her experiences can help others in their time of need. Darah is currently a fur-mom of a small Maltese named Leia who constantly needs her full attention.

Chris Medrano

Operations Manager

Chris Medrano is a Texas native that has lived on Oahu for over 20 years and has spent her working career dedicated to the many facets of the veterinary field.

In 2003, she moved to Hawaii, where her career evolved into practice management working in both veterinary hospitals, and nonprofits.

Her journey took a poignant turn when she experienced the loss of her cherished canine companion, Pukapants. This personal encounter became a catalyst for a new chapter in her career, managing a pet crematory for 6 years. She discovered her true calling—helping others navigate the complex emotions of pet loss. Drawing from her own experience, she found solace in celebrating the joy of pet care and dedicated herself to supporting others through similar journeys.

Her time away from work is dedicated to her blended family and delightful menagerie of pets.

Her personal mission is centered around helping people through pets. Working with Arms of Aloha aligns seamlessly with her beliefs of inclusiveness, kindness, and environmental consciousness. She looks forward to continuing this journey of compassion and care, supporting both pets and their owners with a heart full of understanding and warmth.

Bereavement and Caregiver Support

Marianne Schultz

Chaplain

Phone: Extension 7

Marianne is a certified Pet Loss & Bereavement Counselor, supporting anticipatory loss and after loss care. Her inspiration to go into Pet Loss support came after the loss of her first dog Maggie, who she and her husband Scott rescued from the Hawaiian Humane Society at one year of age. Through the HHS Pet Walk, Maggie inspired friends and family to donate almost $15,000 during her short life. Maggie’s death provided Marianne with a desire to assist families grieving the loss of a loyal beloved family member. Her own personal loss was deeply heartfelt and she wanted to support others during such a fragile time and help them know that their pet will always be in their heart.

Having also lost Manele & Koele (mama & puppy – also HHS rescues), she knows the deep pain of illness and sudden loss. Marianne is a Deacon (an ordained layperson) at the First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu at Koolau. Deacons are spiritual leaders who pray for people and support those who have lost loved ones. Her mission is to extend these deacon responsibilities to reach and serve the greater Oahu community. She graduated from Northwestern University, in Evanston, IL with a B..S. in Education/Human Development & Social Policy. She and Scott share their home on the Windward Side with rescue dogs Violet Rose & Ipo Lani.

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