Meet Ashley Amaral, DVM

Tell us 3 fun facts about you.

I have an extreme phobia of animal hair.
I could eat Mexican food for every meal.
If I wasn’t a veterinarian, I would be a forensic pathologist.

Where are you from?

The beautiful San Luis Obispo!

What drew you to veterinary medicine as a career?

I grew up working on family ranches all over the Central Coast. I fell in love with production medicine first which quickly translated to a love of all veterinary medicine.

What kinds of cases have you seen in the last week?

It’s the season of itchy dogs! I’ve seen tons of appointments for fleas and skin allergies.

Tell me about your favorite veterinary experience so far.

We have one amazing client here that constantly tells each staff member that they are appreciated. I was having a hard day, and this client told me how much I was appreciated. That one comment has really stuck with me.

What is the most challenging part of being a veterinarian?

One of the challenges as well as the perks of our field, is that there is a constant influx of new information. The ever evolving nature of our field makes veterinary medicine exciting, but it also takes a lot of work to keep up to date on the most modern approach to treatments.

What are you going to be for Halloween?

A nerd (and I don’t really even need a costume J)

What are 3 words you would use to describe the Animal Hospital of Salinas.

Integrity, quality, sincerity

What is one career lesson you’ve learned thus far?

Veterinary medicine is as much about treating owners as well as pets.