Welcome to Blue Door Veterinary Services! Our dedicated team is committed to providing the very best care to our patients.
Dr. Meridith Dawson
Veterinarian and Owner
Founded Blue Door Veterinary Services in 2015
I started dreaming of being a veterinarian at the age of 7. I grew up in Jacksonville, Florida among the beaches and the seagulls, but one horseback riding lesson later, I was hooked. Horses were my passion growing up, but I loved all animals. I am guilty of bringing home the stray cat now and then and promising my parents “it followed me home.” When my family moved to central Ohio, I was able to realize my dream of having a horse (two in fact!), and I competed in 4-H all through high school and in IHSA in college. I even focused my Girl Scout Gold Award project on helmet safety. I have always had animals around the house—dogs, cats, chickens, horses, a goat named Edger – and I have loved every minute of it.
I went to a small college in northwest Georgia named Berry College for undergraduate and earned my BS in Animal Science. I returned to Ohio for veterinary school, earning my veterinary degree at The Ohio State University. Wanting to get away from the cold winters, I returned to Florida and began my career as a mixed animal practitioner, working with many different species. I even had the opportunity to work with elephants, camels, and alpacas that were part of a traveling circus! I found that my favorite aspects of veterinary medicine though are being witness to the strong human-animal bond and helping to keep people and their animals together.
After meeting my husband, George, and living in Florida for a couple years, we knew we wanted more from our environment. We decided on Portland because I have some family here, and we love that we can get to all of our favorite outdoor places for day trips. George and I have 4 dogs, 3 cats, 2 horses, and a fish! They keep us busy—hiking, riding, and playing at the coast. I do like to dabble in tennis and when it’s rainy, we love to visit the wineries and breweries and taste what Oregon has to offer!
I cannot wait to meet all of you and your wonderful pets and share my love of animals with all of you!
Wendi Tabor
Client Coordinator
Wendi joined Blue Door in January 2018
I love animals and I love people. While in college, I took a position with a local veterinary hospital and that is where my passion took off. I started entry level, and after my college graduation I stayed on board with the same veterinary practice and worked my way through the ranks and spent ten years as their hospital coordinator. The job title was very much like a practice manager, but so much more. I organized communication and hospital flow, and was the main go between between doctors, clients, fellow staff, outside vendors, reps, and local rescues and other community outreach programs. It was a wonderful career, so professionally and personally rewarding; I loved it so!
Over the next few years I also became a positive reinforcement dog trainer, and eventually a dog training mentor for new dog training students.
Most recently my husband and I also started taking in unwanted reptiles/alternative pets as it is easy to find a rescue for dogs and cats, but the alternative pets are often overlooked in the rescue world. We are now a safe haven and forever home for three bearded dragons, a leopard gecko, and a previously seven legged tarantula. We also have four dogs, so our home is very lively with animals.
I was so happy When Dr. Dawson asked me to join her team. Blue Door Veterinary shares the same love for animals and their people as I do. I look forward to speaking and/or emailing with you soon!
Ashley Hawes
Client Coordinator
Ashley joined Blue Door in January 2022
Ashley joined our Client Coordinator team at Blue Door in January 2022. Stay tuned for her biography!