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
My love for animals and people has shaped my entire career, starting long before college. Before entering the veterinary field, I worked in barns and kennels, caring for a wide range of animals. This early experience solidified my passion for animal care and set the stage for my future in veterinary medicine.
While in college, I joined a local veterinary hospital, and my passion for this field truly took off. Starting in an entry-level role, I stayed on after graduation and worked my way up to hospital coordinator, a role I held for 10 years. As coordinator, I took on responsibilities similar to those of a practice manager but with even broader duties. I managed communication, streamlined hospital operations, and served as the key liaison between doctors, clients, staff, vendors, representatives, local rescues, and community outreach programs. It was an incredibly rewarding career—both professionally and personally—that I cherished deeply.
Beyond my veterinary work, I became a certified positive reinforcement dog trainer and a mentor to new trainers, sharing my love for animal behavior and care with aspiring professionals.
Our house is full of animals of all shapes and sizes, from small fishy and invertebrate friends and up 😀 My husband and I started a small rescue, focusing on reptiles and alternative pets often overlooked in the rescue world. We provide a safe haven—and sometimes a forever home—for bearded dragons, leopard geckos, and tarantulas.
We also have three very lively and friendly dogs. Two are super tiny kiddos under five pounds and our “big” dog is about 30 pounds. They are all mixes and we love them so.
I’m excited to now be part of Dr. Dawson’s team at Blue Door Veterinary. This practice shares my deep passion for animal care, and I’m eager to continue making a positive impact in the lives of pets and their people. I look forward to connecting with you soon, whether by phone, email, or text; I’m always up for a chat 😀