Staff Role: Veterinarian - Primary Care/ER

Dr. Meagan Vail is an associate veterinarian at Pieper Veterinary and part of our rotating small animal medicine and surgery intern class of 2024-2025. Born in Lompoc, California, she attended California Polytechnic State University and graduated with a B.S. in Animal Science, and graduated with her degree in veterinary medicine from Iowa State University. Dr. Vail enjoys working with cats and dogs and has a special clinical interest in internal medicine and emergency and critical care medicine.

Dr. Vail lives with two cats, her five-year old bob-tailed Ragdoll mix Bunny, and a four-month old kitten named Atlas. She played water polo throughout her years at school and enjoys swimming, hiking, reading, and playing sports in her free time. Her favorite part of being a veterinarian is having the opportunity to connect with the local community while providing care for their animals.

Special Interests:

• Internal medicine
• Emergency and critical care medicine

Dr. Chelsea Churchill, DVM, is an Associate Veterinarian at Pieper Veterinary, providing care in both Primary Care and the Emergency Department. With nearly three years of clinical experience, she is dedicated to delivering thoughtful, collaborative care—working closely with pet owners to create treatment plans that meet the needs of both the patient and their family. Dr. Churchill is Fear Free and RECOVER certified, supporting her commitment to reducing stress and providing safe, high-quality care in every setting.

Dr. Churchill completed her first year of veterinary school at St. George’s University prior to transferring and earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. She enjoys practicing a wide range of medicine, with a special love for welcoming new puppies and guiding families through the early stages of pet ownership.

Originally from Southern California, Dr. Churchill grew up with a love for both science and animals. She initially pursued a path toward human medicine before realizing veterinary medicine offered the perfect way to combine her passions while helping both pets and their people every day. She finds the greatest fulfillment in seeing her patients improve and knowing she played a role in their care—no matter how big or small.

Outside of the hospital, Dr. Churchill enjoys spending time with her two dachshunds, Joey and Rigatoni. A former Division I soccer player at Boston University, she still appreciates staying active and, true to her roots, loves any opportunity to be near the beach.