Hello! I would like to introduce myself.
I have been a veterinarian in the Rogue Valley since I graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. I grew up in Pennsylvania and have lived in many places, but I love Southern Oregon and all of the outdoor recreation it provides.
During my years in Southern Oregon, I have worked in Grants Pass and Medford as a small animal veterinarian. In 2009 I began holding a monthly clinic for the pets of people experiencing homelessness in Grants Pass. Eventually, my volunteer work led to the start of Homeless Oregon Pet Project, a nonprofit that provides basic veterinary care to the pets of the homeless in Grants Pass and Medford.
My life prior to veterinary school consisted of a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Delaware. After graduation, despite my interest in veterinary medicine, I felt the need for exploration. Joining the Peace Corps, I spent two years in Guatemala working with indigenous Mayan families and a population of chickens. I had a wonderful experience and learned much about chickens, people, Mayan culture, and myself. I also met my husband, a volunteer from the next town over.
My adventure fulfilled, I returned to the states and attended veterinary school in Wisconsin. Since moving to the Rogue Valley in 2006, my husband and I have expanded our human family by two delightful daughters. Our current but ever-changing furry family consists of two dogs and three cats.
I have wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as I can remember. The adoration I held as a child for the family Airedale has extended to many creatures and my fascination for them never ceases. In my daily work and my volunteering, I enjoy the variety of people, the uniqueness of each pet, and the relationship between them. My goal is to treat every pet as if it were my own and to make both the owner and the pet as comfortable as possible.
I look forward to meeting you and your pet(s).
—Dr. Julie Tavares