Dr. Lazar grew up in Fairfax County, graduated from Robinson High School in 1987, and received his BA in biology at the University of Virginia in 1991.

He earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1996 from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. In 1997, he completed a one-year rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York City.

Following a year of private practice in Manhattan, Dr. Lazar moved to Maitland, Florida, and spent four years in a small animal surgery internship and residency at Affiliated Veterinary Specialists. In 2003, he earned board certification by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Since 2002, Dr. Lazar has focused on small animal specialty surgery in Northern Virginia. He lives in Reston with his wife, two sons and a plethora of pets including dogs, cats, birds, snakes and fish.