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
About Dr. Abra Welch
Growing up on a small farm in Lebanon, TN, I was lucky enough to have an assortment of rescued dogs, cats, and horses. Although I have always been an animal lover, I initially dreamed of becoming a medical doctor. I enrolled at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a focus on Biology/Pre-med. After shadowing both human and veterinary medicine, I naturally gravitated towards working with animals and changed my path to a Bachelors in Animal Science. I loved UT so much, I stayed four more years to obtain my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
After graduation, I had an amazing opportunity to stay in the East Tennessee area and work as an associate doctor at a thriving small animal hospital. It was during this time I realized that, although I do love seeing cute puppies and kittens every day, my passion is in working with senior patients and their families to help improve quality of life. I find great joy in working alongside pet owners to find solutions to keep their pets comfortable as they approach the end of their lives. A large part of that is also walking them through the painful process of letting their beloved family member go.
I know firsthand how difficult a moment in life like this can be. I was honored to provide my own 19-year-old kitty, Rowdy, a comfortable and peaceful passing when it was her time. Although I did everything I possibly could for her, she was not responding to therapy for her kidney disease. The kindest thing I could do was to let her be at peace. It was a devastating moment, but at the same time, I know it was a beautiful gift that I was able to give her. I feel she was able to reciprocate that gift by giving me an eyeopening perspective on exactly what so many pet parents feel. This personal experience will allow me to better help you and your family through this difficult process.
This passion of mine is ultimately what lead me to Lap of Love. My calling is to help families and their pets during this sensitive time. People often comment on how difficult this part of my job must be. My response is always that I can't be sad when I know that I am helping give a beloved pet a peaceful ending to a wonderful life. I truly am honored and privileged to be there for you and your family!
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
About Dr. Abra Welch
Growing up on a small farm in Lebanon, TN, I was lucky enough to have an assortment of rescued dogs, cats, and horses. Although I have always been an animal lover, I initially dreamed of becoming a medical doctor. I enrolled at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a focus on Biology/Pre-med. After shadowing both human and veterinary medicine, I naturally gravitated towards working with animals and changed my path to a Bachelors in Animal Science. I loved UT so much, I stayed four more years to obtain my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
After graduation, I had an amazing opportunity to stay in the East Tennessee area and work as an associate doctor at a thriving small animal hospital. It was during this time I realized that, although I do love seeing cute puppies and kittens every day, my passion is in working with senior patients and their families to help improve quality of life. I find great joy in working alongside pet owners to find solutions to keep their pets comfortable as they approach the end of their lives. A large part of that is also walking them through the painful process of letting their beloved family member go.
I know firsthand how difficult a moment in life like this can be. I was honored to provide my own 19-year-old kitty, Rowdy, a comfortable and peaceful passing when it was her time. Although I did everything I possibly could for her, she was not responding to therapy for her kidney disease. The kindest thing I could do was to let her be at peace. It was a devastating moment, but at the same time, I know it was a beautiful gift that I was able to give her. I feel she was able to reciprocate that gift by giving me an eyeopening perspective on exactly what so many pet parents feel. This personal experience will allow me to better help you and your family through this difficult process.
This passion of mine is ultimately what lead me to Lap of Love. My calling is to help families and their pets during this sensitive time. People often comment on how difficult this part of my job must be. My response is always that I can't be sad when I know that I am helping give a beloved pet a peaceful ending to a wonderful life. I truly am honored and privileged to be there for you and your family!
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