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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.
 Dana
Marsh, DVM, CVA 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.
Dr. Kit McKeown grew up in Lexington, 
Kentucky and started riding hunter/jumpers at a young age, which fostered her interest in becoming an equine veterinarian. She graduated from Bucknell University in Pennsylvania in 2001, and worked as an ICU and nuclear scintigraphy technician at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Kentucky for 3 years prior to attending the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Mckeown graduated from Penn with honors in 2008, and returned to Rood and Riddle to complete an internship in equine surgery, medicine and anesthesia from 2008-2009. She completed a second internship at Merritt & Associates from 2009-2010. Dr. McKeown worked in small animal general practice for a short time, then returned to equine practice in southern Wisconsin in spring 2011. Her primary interests include equine lameness and diagnostic imaging, though she enjoys all aspects of equine general practice. Dr. McKeown’s other interests include mountain biking, snowboarding and spending time with her husband Brett, daughter Morgan, and the family pets.
Interns
 Gina Scarzella, DVM is a 2011 graduate of St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine on Grand Cayman. Following veterinary school on Grand Cayman, she spent her clinical year at North Carolina State University. Prior to vet school Dr. Scarzella received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, VA. where she rode hunters competitively and was on the intercollegiate riding team. Her main interests include equine sports medicine and surgery.
 Reanna Stahl, DVM is a 2011 graduate of Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Her main interests are equine sports medicine and reproduction. She grew up in Louisville, Kentucky competing in eventing and working as a polo groom. Dr. Stahl graduated from Washington and Lee University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Politics. Prior to attending veterinary school, she worked at Churchill Downs, Inc. and at a large Thoroughbred nursery. During veterinary school, she gained additional experience by working for the Large Animal Emergency and Critical Care service at Auburn University.
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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