Charleen Salazar

Charleen Salazar is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) candidate at Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2026. Originally from Wai‘anae, Hawai‘i, she brings a deeply rooted connection to land, culture, and community into her work. Growing up in a family of pig hunters, she developed an early respect for animals and the environment through hands-on experiences harvesting food, caring for hunting dogs, and cultivating resources from the land. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa in 2007 and went on to build more than 16 years of experience in veterinary medicine, beginning with eight years at a feline-exclusive clinic followed by eight years in a small animal practice treating both cats and dogs.
Throughout her clinical career, Charleen developed a strong technical foundation in patient care, including anesthesia monitoring for surgical and dental procedures, administering medications, and supporting advanced treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy for degenerative conditions. Her experience spans appointments, hospitalizations, surgery, chemotherapy, and laser therapy, along with mentoring team members and ensuring high standards of patient safety. When Hawai‘i established its veterinary technician licensing program, she became a licensed veterinary technician in 2020 after successfully passing the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). Her growing interest in the intersection of veterinary medicine, food systems, and cultural practices ultimately guided her decision to pursue her DVM.
Currently, Charleen is completing her final month of veterinary school and preparing to begin a public health role through a scholarship position with the United States Department of Agriculture on Maui. In this role, she will focus on food safety and inspection within slaughterhouses, ensuring that meat entering the food supply is safe, wholesome, and free from disease. She is particularly passionate about supporting sustainable practices in Hawai‘i, including working with invasive species such as axis deer to promote responsible land stewardship while enhancing food security and economic opportunities for local communities. Grounded in her cultural values and inspired by her ‘ohana, Charleen is committed to advancing veterinary medicine in a way that honors tradition, protects public health, and sustains the land for future generations.

• University of Hawaii at Manoa - BS, Animal Sciences

• Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)
• Licensed 2020
• Fear Free Certification Program
• Safe Capture - Chemical Immobilization of Animals

• USDA Scholarship for Public Health Veterinary Work

• Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA)
• American Association of Bovine Practitioners