Shannon Merry, DVM
Dr. Shannon Merry moved from her native state of Montana to the Pacific Northwest in 2002. She earned her doctoral degree from WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology/Zoology and Psychology/Communications. With shared interests in animal welfare and international travel, Dr. Merry has practiced veterinary medicine with impactful organizations including Vets Without Borders, World Vets, and Danta Conservation for the Tropics.
In 2018, Dr. Merry launched Traveling Tails to bring personalized veterinary care to pets where they feel most comfortable. Her work often centers on managing chronic conditions and improving the quality of life for pets. She takes great care to support the human–animal bond and considers the family when developing a care plan. When the time comes, she is honored to provide a gentle and peaceful at-home farewell.
Life at home is under the close supervision of four cats, though Dr. Merry has shared her life with as many as four dogs at once. The current feline management team bears titles inspired by favorite international foods the Merry family discovered while traveling: Skyr (Icelandic yogurt), Za’atar (Middle Eastern spice), and sibling pair Lokum (Turkish delight) and Brezel (pretzel).
Outside of veterinary work, Dr. Merry and her husband Patrick devote as much time as they can to their shared passion for pottery. Both can often be found leaning over a pottery wheel at the Dahmen Barn – an artisan collective in Uniontown, Washington. She also enjoys unwinding with a glass of wine from Patrick’s local winery, Merry Cellars, playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends, attending live music performances, and occasionally sitting in with a band to play rhythm on the washboard.
Roxanne, Vet Assistant
Roxanne’s path into veterinary medicine began in western Washington, where she worked as a kennel and veterinary assistant before moving to Pullman in 2008 to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences. While studying abroad in Belize, she performed supervised spay and neuter surgeries – an experience that deepened her commitment to animal health and welfare. After completing her degree, she balanced a busy schedule for three years, working as a veterinary assistant during the day and tending bar on WSU’s campus in the evenings.
Dr. Merry and Roxanne began working together in 2014 and quickly realized they make an excellent team. Roxanne appreciates that Traveling Tails allows her to combine her love of animals with her interests in biology and medicine. Her friendly nature, calm demeanor, and strong animal-handling skills make her an indispensable part of visits that benefit from an extra set of hands. She is especially skilled at feline blood draws and calming anxious dogs.
When she’s not assisting Dr. Merry, Roxanne divides her time between caring for her spirited orange tabby, Carrot – rescued at just four weeks old – and running her own small business providing in-home pet care. Roxanne offers a variety of services independently, including nail trims, gland expression, subcutaneous fluids, demonstrations on pilling or inhaler use, dog walking, and pet sitting. Contact her directly by text at 360-346-0335 or email roxannetrocino@gmail.com