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Veterinarians
 Dr. Keith Merritt is a distinguished veterinarian with more than 20 years of equine specialization. Dr. Merritt received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Mississippi State University in 1985 and established Merritt & Associates in 1990. Since establishing his practice, Dr. Merritt has concentrated on Equine Sports Medicine and is sought out for his experience and expertise, particularly for his ability to diagnose and treat difficult lameness issues. Dr. Merritt leverages the latest technology by using sophisticated diagnostic imaging techniques, including Nuclear Scintigraphy. He is an expert at reading scintigraphy images as well as images from Radiography and Ultrasonography. Dr. Merritt is also a leader in developing new diagnostic techniques and treatment regimens for musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders, participating in clinical trials and advanced training programs on new technology and protocols. Importantly, Dr. Merritt integrates his knowledge and passion with all practice members and provides critical oversight, diagnostic consulting and training to all Merritt & Associate veterinarians. Dr. Merritt is a member of the International Society of Equine Locomotive Pathology (ISELP) and will matriculate as a diplomat of ISELP. Dr. Merritt is an FEI veterinarian as well as the team veterinarian for Area IV Young Riders. Dr. Merritt has the compassion and persistence to diagnose any Equine Sport Medicine injury or disease. He believes preventative medicine is the best way to keep horses sound and helps trainers and owners from all disciplines, design health maintenance programs to keep their horses on the road to success.
 Chris Downs, DVM, Diplomate ACVS, earned his DVM at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia in 2003. In 2004 he completed an Equine Surgical Internship at Hagyard-Davidson-McGee in Lexington, Ky and joined Merritt & Associates in 2005 as an associate where he gained experience in Sports Medicine and became very familiar with the area and the needs of our clients.
Dr. Downs completed a 3 year Equine Surgery Residency at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University in July of 2009. He became board certified with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2010. He has spoken at conferences on a local and national level on topics such as current wound therapies, suspensory ligament lameness and the repair of rib fractures in neonatal foals and published scientific articles on the topics of surgical transfixation casting in the horse and surgical repair of rib fractures in neonatal foals.
Dr. Downs has a dual interest in equine sports medicine and all types of surgical conditions in the horse including emergency and elective surgery.
 Katie Chiles, DVM, graduated from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006 and then came to MAEH as an intern to expand upon her clinical knowledge. Upon completion of her 1 year internship, Dr. Chiles joined our team as an associate veterinarian. In 2010 she became certified in Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy and has integrated into her equine practice.. Dr. Chiles’ equine veterinary interests include animal chiropractic, sports medicine, and surgery. She is certified to perform liposuction for Vet Stem cell harvesting, providing a more cosmetic outcome. Dr. Chiles enjoys working with horses of all disciplines.
 Dana Marsh, DVM graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in May, 2006 with high honors. Upon graduation, she pursued a one year Internship at Merritt & Associates and joined the practice as an Associate in 2007.
Dr. Marsh completed the equine acupuncture course at the Chi Institute in 2009. Since becoming certified in veterinary acupuncture, she has integrated acupuncture and TCVM into her equine practice. Her areas of special interest are sports medicine, alternative medicine and internal medicine.
Interns
 Kristin Baumgartner, DVM is a May 2010 graduate of Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Her main interests are in equine sports medicine and surgery. She grew up in Crystal Lake, Illinois riding on the hunter/jumper circuit through high school. She graduated in 2005 from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in animal science and microbiology. As an undergraduate, she worked at Horizon Farms, Inc in Barrington, Illinois for two summers as an intern, as well as working at the Iowa State University Horse Barn during the school year. During veterinary school, she worked in the large animal intensive care unit and as a test barn technician at Prairie Meadows Racetrack.
 Megan Repking, DVM is a 2010 graduate from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. Her main interests are Sports Medicine, Diagnostic Imaging, and Surgery. She has experience with a wide range of equine activities, and especially enjoys training young horses. She currently owns a Thoroughbred gelding, as well as two coonhounds.
 Jacci Hermansen, DVM earned her Veterinary degree from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in May 2010. Her main interests include equine sports medicine, reproduction, and dentistry. Dr. Hermansen grew up trail riding as well as a little team penning. She obtained a Bachelors Degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University in 2006. She spent her summers during veterinary school working at an Equine Veterinary Clinic in Stillwater, MN.
Veterinary Technicians and Support Staff
In addition to the veterinarians, a talented and dedicated staff supports Merritt & Associates.The Veterinary Technicians are extremely knowledgeable and are critical to the day-to-day functioning of the hospital. The office and support staff are very friendly and customer-focused. It is this high level of professionalism and dedication that enables Merritt & Associates to set the trend in comprehensive equine health care.
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