I grew up in Maine with many dogs and cats and a barn filled with random livestock and slightly rogue horses. Equine obsessed, I was an avid pony-clubber and three-day eventer.

After attending Cornell University for undergraduate and veterinary school, I moved to Portland in 1996.

I began in general practice, then transitioned to DoveLewis Animal Emergency Hospital as a senior staff veterinarian for seven years. I loved managing critical cases, teaching veterinary interns, and running the Animal Blood Bank. Finally, after countless overnight shifts, I returned to day practice and remembered all of the reasons I had missed it.

My interest in internal medicine and challenging cases never waned, but it was refreshing to return to wellness and preventative care, which are so crucial for pet longevity. Dental care and optimizing senior pet quality of life are also passions of mine. But perhaps what I missed the most was the long-term relationships with people and the animals in their lives.

Past and ongoing volunteering includes the Portland Animal Welfare Team, Feral Cat Coalition, Past President of the Portland Veterinary Medical Association, Advisory Chair for the PCC Veterinary Technology Advisory Committee, and member of the Oregon State Radiation Advisory Committee.

Outside of work, my life is filled with two amazing teenagers and two dogs, three cats, and backyard chickens. I love travel of any sort. Recent adventures included a spay/neuter campaign I was lucky enough to join in Ladakh, India, several years ago. Also in the excellent column: wine, wandering with my dogs, great TV series, yummy food, minimally strenuous hiking, and having an empty afternoon.

Now, I have the lovely good fortune of creating an independent practice with two of the absolute best veterinarians I know. With our emphasis on stress-free handling and incorporating owners as partners in their pets’ care, we are building the practice we’ve dreamed of. Come see why we are so excited to be Fern Hill Veterinary Care!

Get to know Dr. Zambelli and learn about her adventures here.