Veterinarian Overview
Growing up on a farm in western Oklahoma, young Dr. Merkey had constant contact with animals. Watching his familys veterinarian work, he quickly developed an interest in helping all types of creatures. It wasnt long before he realized how rewarding this could be and decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine for himself! After high school, Dan attended McPherson College in Kansas, where he majored in biology and minored in chemistry. He also completed enough classroom hours for an agriculture degree. After his undergraduate studies were completed, he went to Oklahoma State University to receive his DVM degree. While there, he met his future wife and business partner, Mary, and they joined a mixed practice together in Kansas. After working for the Department of Agriculture in Oklahoma, Dr. Merkey opened Avalon Veterinary Hospital in 1973. Dr. Merkeys desire to help pets and their owners has never wavered. He particularly likes diagnosing a critical issue and being able to correct it. For Dan, the feeling of returning a healthy pet to their owner is like nothing else! Dr. Merkey has one dog, a lab who travels with him to work every day. While at the clinic, he stays in Dans office and occasionally likes to sneak out to greet other pets and their owners. Dans veterinary interests extend beyond his duties at the clinic. He has been in charge of the Animal Birthing Center at the Tulsa State Fair for 15 years, where swine, sheep, goats give birth right alongside hatching chicks.
