MEET OUR VETERINARIANS
With 75 years of combined experience, our veterinarians are truly the heart of our animal hospital,
driving us to be the best that we can be and delivering client experiences that showcase
our commitment to excellence and optimal pet health care at all times.
Our veterinarians are proud to serve the pets of Meridian, Caldwell, Nampa and Boise, Idaho.
We invite you to read the following biographies to get to know our veterinarians ahead of your next visit!
Dr. Scott Higer has been practicing at Meridian Veterinary Hospital since 1993, with ownership since 1996. He grew up in Caldwell and completed his undergraduate studies at both Northwest Nazarene University and the University of Idaho. He attended the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University, where he received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. His special interests include orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, ultrasound and internal medicine. Dr. Higer, along with his wife Karen and two kids Jessica and Keith, live on an acreage with their wide variety of pets and livestock. He helps with the area 4-H programs, is the Commander of his church’s AWANA program and is an active member of the Lakeview Bible Church. Dr. Higer has proudly offered free services to the World Center for Birds of Prey for 25 years. His hobbies include outdoor sports and camping along with taking care of his farm, livestock and pets with his family.
Dr. Denise Fisher was welcomed to the Meridian Veterinary Hospital Team in 2013. She graduated from the University of California, Davis, with her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego. Her special interests include both Internal Medicine and Feline Medicine. She moved to Idaho with her husband in 1999. They live with cats, a Dapple Dachshund and two Guinea Pigs. She volunteers in the veterinary community for South West Idaho Veterinary Medical Association, Snip and Conrad Strays Cat Rescue and Adoption. She also enjoys time off with family, including her twin sister who lives nearby and parents who decided to retire in Idaho.
Dr. Carol Eklund graduated from Oklahoma State University College of Vet Med in 1979 and then moved to the Treasure Valley to work at Mountain View Animal Clinic. She and her husband, Marty Telford, opened Pets First Animal Clinic in 1987, which they sold in 2007. She continued to work there until 2015, at which time she came to work at the Meridian Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Eklund’s special interest areas include internal medicine and dermatology. She also enjoys the application of complementary medicine such as acupuncture, dietary supplements and Chinese herbals to conventional methods of practice. After many years in practice, she still enjoys the challenges of veterinary medicine and especially enjoys her patients and their proud pet parents. She is a former President of the Idaho State Board of Veterinary Medicine. In her spare time, Dr. Eklund spends time hiking, snowshoeing, horseback riding, gardening, doing some agility with her dog and visiting a local assisted living facility. Her family includes her husband Marty, their daughter Taylor, cattle dogs Roody and Bungi, cats Gunner and Vivian, and horse Pike.
Dr. John Shaner is a 1996 graduate of the University of Missouri. He is the former owner of River Oak Veterinary Hospital in Riverbank, California. Dr. Shaner is no stranger to this area as he has been visiting family here for well over 10 years. He and his nephews and daughters have done their fair share of fishing in the local lakes and rivers. Dr. Shaner is the father of two young ladies and has been married to his wife for over 17 years.
Dr Shaner’s veterinary interests have not only included small animals but exotic species as well.
When not in the hospital, Dr. Shaner is looking forward to doing more fishing and to explore the local mountains.