Natalie Zalac grew up in Holly, Michigan and knew from the age of 5 that she wanted to be a veterinarian. She never wavered from that goal and proudly graduated magna cum laude from Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. For the first 9 years of her career she worked as a small animal emergency veterinarian at some of the best emergency hospitals in the state. In 2010 she changed her career goals and became a family veterinarian at Patterson Veterinary Hospital in Clinton Township. It was there that she developed a love for getting to know her clients and patients and dedicated her time to helping with whole-life care. She developed expertise in skin disease, orthopedic surgery, dentistry, abdominal ultrasound, and healthy-weight management. Combined with her years of experience at specialty hospitals she can now offer a vast array of health-care ranging from vaccine plans tailored to the individual patient, help with all ranges of medical problems and concerns, to senior pet and hospice care options. It is her goal to be there from the birth to the end of life of each patient, offering valuable advice, suggestions, and treatment plans, but never to “sell” a product. She prides herself in offering and recommending the best plan for each patient, but always considering budget, common sense, and things that she would do for her own pets.

Dr. Zalac has been married to Brian Zalac since 2011. She shares her two step-sons, Ethan and Brady, with him as well as their daughter, Olivia. Their menagerie of animals is guaranteed to change and grow, but currently includes Monty, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel; Finnegan, a Boxer/Beagle/Border Collie; Voodoo, a Domestic Shorthair cat; Delilah, a Lynx Point Siamese cat; and Winston, an off-track Thoroughbred. She recently adopted Jelly Belly Bean, an adorable kitten who will reside at Orion Animal Hospital. She enjoys spending time with her family and riding her horse in her free time.

The Zalac’s have lived in Lake Orion since 2009 and have always thought that the Gingellville area really needed a veterinary hospital. This dream is becoming a reality in October 2018 when Orion Animal Hospital will open its doors to the community. It has taken countless hours of designing, planning, and hard-work, but Dr. Zalac is thrilled to be there and can’t wait to meet all of her new clients and patients!