Dr. Jeremy Salvatore, DVM
Veterinarian, Co-Owner
Hi, I’m Dr. Jeremy!
I grew up in the Ridgewood area of Queens, NY. For my undergraduate studies, I attended UCONN and majored in Animal Science, Pathobiology, and Veterinary Sciences. Emily and I met at UCONN and we graduated in 2006. Shortly after this we relocated to Ithaca, and I enrolled in veterinary school at Cornell University. I received my DVM in 2010 and worked in Cortland, NY for two years while Emily finished her degree. After I graduated in 2010, we got married. We returned to Connecticut to be closer to both of our families, knowing that we wanted to start a family at some point. We originally lived in Middletown, Connecticut, since I was working in North Branford, Connecticut.
Emily and I relocated to Oxford once I started working in Brookfield. I worked there for around three years before moving on to a position at a practice in Trumbull, CT. We fell in love with Oxford and wanted to stay in the neighborhood. It was the ideal combination of the country life we had grown to love while living in upstate New York and being near enough to the city to enjoy it as well. We subsequently purchased a home in nearby Southbury.
From a young age, I was fascinated by animals. I recall going to the Queens public library and bringing home volumes of books about various animals. I also possessed a collection of Golden Guides, which detailed a wide range of animal species. A true nerd to the core. I was always fascinated by how they operated and how they evolved particular adaptations to live the way they did. I also grew up with various pets and enjoyed going to the vet with my parents and grandfather. I remember caring for a dog of ours that had a wound on its paw that needed to be treated. I’d replace his bandage on a frequent basis and bathe his paw to help it recover.
My favorite thing about working with animals are their individual personalities and getting to know the animals and their owners.
When I was in veterinary school, I recall one case that came in through the ER and was moved to internal medicine. The dog was terrified of everyone and would bite anyone who approached him. To keep everyone safe, the dog had to wear a basket muzzle at the hospital. I gradually gained the dog’s trust, and he would allow me to conduct treatments on him and hand-feed him by the time he was ready to leave the hospital. Bonding with that dog reassured me that I was on the right path.
In terms of my unique interests or accolades, I received the Gentle Doctor award in veterinary school, as well as an award for excellence in anatomy. I also belong to the AVMA. My areas of focus include pet dentistry and internal medicine.
Cornell University’s teachers were all fantastic, but I really loved working with the residents and staff of the internal medicine department. They had a significant role in shaping the doctor I am today. Dentistry is a sometimes overlooked aspect of an animal’s health. I enjoy teaching owners how oral health may affect the overall health of the animal and why it is so important to get those check-ups and cleanings.
Emily and I have two children – our son Lucas who was born in 2015, and our daughter Ella who was born 2019.
Outside of work, I love going hiking and cooking. I also enjoy reading books of various genres, but mostly stick to mysteries and science fiction.
Dr. Emily Salvatore, DVM
Veterinarian, Co-Owner
Hi, I’m Dr. Emily!
I grew up in Eastern Connecticut and attended UCONN for college, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science, pathobiology, and veterinary sciences. I then spent two years at Cornell University’s Animal Health Diagnostic Center, a state-of-the-art laboratory in New York. I received my veterinary degree in 2012 and then relocated back to Connecticut to be closer to family. We moved to this part of Connecticut in 2013 and began raising our family in 2015!
I started working in veterinary medicine as a volunteer in an animal clinic when I was 15 years old. Working with dogs and cats and advocating for their health since they couldn’t speak for themselves rapidly became my passion.
Surgery, particularly soft tissue surgery, is something I love. I also like teaching owners about preventative medicine and animal husbandry. I believe it is critical to provide owners with as much information as possible to help them determine what is best for their pets’ health.
I met Jeremy at UCONN and we married in 2010. We have one son, Lucas, and one daughter, Ella. They are the source of our pride and joy!
We also have a cat named Wally as well as two rescue puppies named Dug and Tessie. I am a die-hard Red Sox fan who likes watching them play at Fenway Park or on TV. We enjoy hiking and traveling as a family, and I enjoy reading in my spare time or going to the beach!
Michelle Rodriguez
Practice Manager, Veterinary Technician
Hi, I’m Michelle!
I grew up in Oxford, I attended Southern Connecticut University where I majored in Biology. I have been working as a Veterinary technician for the past 11 years. Mainly in small animal practice.
I have always had a passion for helping animals and sharing general knowledge with their owners about their pets! I enjoy being a surgery technician and love being a dental technician as it can be so rewarding in the end!
I still currently reside in Oxford with my husband Jansy, we married in 2018. We have a daughter Ivy, who was born in 2019, and a son Jaime, who was born in 2021. We also have a pit mix named Scarlet and a cat named Noodles! We enjoy family time altogether, traveling, the park, hiking, and finding a new place to take our kids on the weekends to see them light up with joy!
Tammy Pjatak
Veterinary Technician
Hi, I’m Tammy!
I went to Northwestern Connecticut Community College. I have been a Technician for over 10 years working in General practice and Emergency. I want to help sick animals. They don’t have a voice so that’s where we come in. I also love seeing puppies and kittens and enjoy being a surgery technician as well.
I live in Shelton and in my spare time, I enjoy hiking, biking, taking and teaching spin classes, gardening, and of course shopping!
Zoe Sarmiento
Veterinary Technician
Hi, I’m Zoe!
I grew up in a little town called Port Chester, located in Westchester County. Went to Westchester community college. I have been in the veterinary field for 22 years. I reside in Newtown with my daughter Bella and her father Vito and I love it. Growing up in very noisy and crowded town living in Newtown feels like heaven 🙂
I began working in the veterinary field because I’ve been around and have loved animals since I was a very young girl. I love interacting with pets because I love to see their pretty little faces.
I have a 14-year-old daughter who also shares the same passion for animals as I do. In my spare time, I do dog sitting or hang out with my three doggies Toby, Missy, and Trixie, as you can see, I’m around dogs and cats 24/7 🙂
Erin Kellerman
Customer Care Representative
Hi, I’m Erin!
I grew up in Shelton, CT, and attended Housatonic Community College for General Studies. For the last 14 years, I’ve been in retail management. In 2017, I married my best friend Matt and started our family in 2018 welcoming our daughter Aubrey in 2018 & Everly in 2021.
Being in Retail Customer Service for well over a decade I desired a career change that worked well for my family. A bonus for me is that I’ll be able to continue working to provide a great customer experience, as well as care for their animals. I’ve also been a pet sitter for more than 20 years, caring for dogs, cats, and even pigs! I’m looking forward to working for Evergreen Veterinary Clinic and meeting new people!
We also have two pups, Flo, a Puggle 13, and Milo, Jack Russel/Rat Terrier 10! They both balance each other out, one lazy and the other is activated! As for outside of work, I’m super crafty and started up a little Bowtique back in 2018 making hair accessories for girls, custom wreaths, and home decor. Family time is my favorite time, watching my girls experience new times is simply amazing! I can’t wait to be a part of the Evergreen Veterinary Clinic family!