Dr. Merkwan
Dr. Matt Merkwan grew up in Gretna, Nebraska. From a very young age, he knew he wanted to work with animals. As he grew, he realized that there were not many veterinarians who were equipped to help care for non-traditional pets like reptiles, birds, and hoofstock. It was this realization that motivated him to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. He graduated from Iowa State University in 2014 with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
After graduation Dr. Merkwan has worked towards additional certifications including:
- Fear Free Certified Veterinary Professional
- Fear Free Certified Elite Veterinary Professional
- Fear Free Certified Avian Veterinary Professional
- Fear Free Certified Equine Veterinary Professional
- Safe-Capture International Certified
- University of Minnesota Raptor Academy Pre-Release Condition and Release Course
Dr. Merkwan is a member of the following associations:
- Association of Avian Veterinarians
- Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians
- Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians
- American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians
- American Association of Small Ruminant Veterinarians
- American Veterinary Medical Association
- Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association
In his free time, Dr. Merkwan enjoys spending time with his wife, Hilary, their 2 dogs, 2 Cockatoos, tortoises, snakes, and other exotic pets. They especially enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, whether they are hiking or traveling to see wildlife and nature.