Dr. Sehaj Grewal is quickly making a name for himself as “The Melrose Vet.” His profound interest with animals started from an early age and Dr. Grewal knew that he had to be in the veterinary industry. He started as a kennel assistant and eventually graduated top of his class from St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine, while also excelling during rigorous clinical rotations at the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Taking after his father, who was also a veterinarian, he worked in the family business before branching out to work for different practices and eventually starting his own from scratch. “It was a big undertaking for me. I’ve always wanted to create a name for myself and I didn’t want anything handed down to me,” Dr. Grewal states.
Setting Up Shop
Dr. G. decided to set up shop in West Hollywood despite his parents suggesting against it., “My parents wanted me to start a practice in a rural area, but I thought I had more potential here to create a name and a niche.” Dr. Grewal opened his practice on 8304 Melrose Ave in January 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Within a year and a half of being in business, he has already amassed over 5,000 clients including but not limited to musicians Agnez Mo and Jason Derulo. “Once I opened, I never thought that I would have that much business, but a lot of people adopted pets during the pandemic,” Dr. Grewal says.
When asked why he opened during the pandemic, he explains, “I think I was a little crazy. I had been practicing for seven years and it was now or never. Screw the pandemic—I was not going to wait another three years.” He goes on to say, “I’ve never regretted the choice I made. I feel very fulfilled and like I did the right thing,”
SoCal’s Best
Dr. Grewal’s practice, The Melrose Vet, offers a variety of services. Such as wellness exams, vaccines, elective surgeries, dentistry and lab work are just some of the services Dr. G. offers to ensure your pet is in tip-top shape. On top of this, Dr. G. is always exploring the latest trends in the veterinary field. Dr. G. also plans to expand his office by the end of the year, adding a physical rehabilitation space as well as a second surgery room.
When asked about the community’s response to the new veterinary office in their backyard, he says, “I think the community has been very good to me, and for the most part, they are really thankful.” He continues by saying the Southern California neighborhood was happy he opened during the pandemic and, with proper protocol, allowed patients into his office. “Most people feel welcomed in my practice as opposed to the corporate feel a lot of the other practice around me,” he explains.
Giving Back to Melrose
Giving back to the community that has been so good to him is very important to Dr. Grewal. He provides discounts for rescues, and once a month, his time goes toward giving free veterinary services and vaccines for pets on Skid Row. “You have to give back—it’s very important. Even if you give back a little you should always do the right thing and give back,” Dr. G. says.
Veterinary Legacy
The Melrose Vet hopes to leave a legacy of doing what’s right when it comes to the pets and pet owners and genuinely providing good service. “For me, it’s about more than just numbers. I’d rather make less money and have a good reputation,” Dr. G. states. “If I made more money but got one-star reviews it would really get to me.” Through it all, Dr. Grewal just wants to continue to provide the best client service in Southern California. themelrosevet.com
