Meet the veterinarians
About Dr. Megan Salaj
Born in New York with a father in the military, my family moved to the Hampton Roads area when I was 3, and—unusual for a military family—stayed there until my dad retired 12 years later. I cannot recall a time in my life when I didn’t want to be a veterinarian. I’m sure once I understood that veterinarians take care of animals, that was it for me. I completed my undergraduate studies at Virginia Tech before attending veterinary school abroad at St. George University in Grenada, West Indies. Living on a tropical island for three years was a fantastic experience—even if it spoiled me when it comes to beaches!
I spent my first year as a veterinarian working at a shelter, providing low-cost veterinary care to the public. I then transitioned into general practice, which allows me to form lifelong relationships with families and see the animals I work with from their first months through adulthood. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I enjoy focusing on geriatric care and hospice, and always learning something new, such as acupuncture or rehabilitation. My job is never boring!
Losing a family member—human or animal— is never easy. My stepfather passed away at home two years ago after being on home hospice care. Seeing how human end-of-life care is handled, I wanted to be able to do better for my pets. I’ve always been drawn to providing senior pets the care they need to enjoy a comfortable life for as long as possible and providing a peaceful passing in a comfortable setting when the time comes. I was my dog’s veterinarian and had to make the decision to stop her suffering once it became obvious her condition was not treatable. Her experience was as peaceful as I could make it for her, and I want to be able to provide that same experience for other families and their pets.
Outside of work, I am an avid reader—mostly fantasy and science fiction, and enjoy spending time with my dog, Kenzie. My main hobby is World of Warcraft—I have played as a healer for many years.
Pronouns: She/Her