At Animal Clinic of Woodruff, we think it’s important to shine a light on our team members. This month, we’re highlighting the vet who started it all at Animal Clinic, Dr. Merri Walden!
Dr. Merri and her husband Chris opened Animal Clinic of Woodruff back in 2001. Their goal was to provide the upstate with excellent veterinary care in a warm, welcoming environment.
Dr. Merri grew up on a farm in Spartanburg. She loved being around animals. Looking back, she says, “I knew from an early age that I wanted to work with animals.”
Dr. Merri would graduate as valedictorian from Dorman High School, then study at Clemson University, and later at UGA’s Veterinary School where she received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, graduating magna cum laude.
Coming back to Spartanburg to live and serve the area they call home was a dream for Dr. Merri and her husband Chris. Since opening its doors, the Animal Clinic of Woodruff team has become like an extension of their own family, and its team, and every animal that visits has become a member of that family.
When asked about the funniest moments from her years at ACOW, Dr. Merri recalls, “We’ve had a lot, but one of the most memorable was a lab that ran into a 6” piece of wood, and managed to lodge it between her eyeball and the bone that surrounds the eye. We sedated her and removed it. Her eye was fine and she acted like nothing happened after she woke up. People are just not that tough!”
Dr. Merri’s love of animals extends through her own family members. Chris 
and Dr. Merri’s daughter Finn is 9 years old. When asked if Finn loves having parents involved in the veterinary field, Dr. Merri shares, “She loves to tell everyone, but Finn loves animals too.” Currently Finn is caring for her own pets which include a rabbit named “Neville Longbottom,” and two new ferrets named “Harry” and “Hermoine.”
Dr. Merri and her family live on a farm with a few additional pets including their many dogs, cats and horses. They feel blessed to call the Spartanburg, Woodruff, and Roebuck area home.
