Meet Our Doctors & Team
Allison Merrill: Medical Director
Raised in Plano, Texas, Allison Merrill is the middle child of Kent and Diana Merrill. Older sister Laura and brother-in-law Donn are the busy parents of four (including a set of triplets!), and younger brother, Kent, and his wife, Nicole, have three "beautiful" daughters, making Dr. Merrill the proud aunt of seven children.
Allison "dreamed of becoming a veterinarian and wanting to be an Aggie since the second grade." Both goals were accomplished: She earned her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Science and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University... and even competed for the 'Aggies Over Texas' Skydiving Team!
Dr. Merrill's post-graduate experience included mixed (large and small animals) practice work in Oregon and Greenville, Texas before relocating to Dallas. Foresight and serendipity converged when she began her professional association with Hillside Veterinary Clinic: Not only did she "meet the wonderful doctors and clientele there, but she knew she was 'Home'."
Based on her clear vision, leadership capabilities and commitment to excellence in the treatment of both her patients and their owners, Dr. Allison Merrill was chosen as Medical Director by the Hillside owners and now has assumed partnership in the Abrams Forest practice.
Home is the 'Merrill Farm' in Rockwall County, where her four-legged friends include: 10-year-old Biggs, a Husky/Shepherd mix she rescued and nursed back to health after an 18-wheeler accident; feline friends Barney and Boogey, adopted strays in need of a loving home; and goats Sammy, Fergie, Penelope and Sienna. (She is also "the proud owner of a John Deere tractor.") She is a member of the Texas Academy of Veterinary Practice and continues to hone her skills through postgraduate studies.
Dr. Merrill feels immense satisfaction from the way in which the Lake Highlands neighborhood has welcomed her and Abrams Forest Veterinary Clinic to the community. She has pledged the best of herself-professionally and personally-to continued quality of medical care to her patients and appreciates the trust their owners have placed in her.
Dr. Danielle Marie Kitz - Veterinarian
Danielle Marie Kitz V.M.D. decided to become a veterinarian when she was 12 years old. "I was a member of the local 4-H chapter, and raised/showed lambs as my projects. One year, my favorite ram Scrapper got into something toxic at the county fair. He was seizuring and we didn't think he was going to make it. Our farm veterinarian came to see about him, and I'm telling you -- on that day he became my biggest hero."
Dr. Kitz was born and raised in southwestern Pennsylvania, in a small farm community outside of Pittsburgh. She left the small town where she was raised when she was 17 to go to college. She graduated in 1997 with a B.S. in Biochemistry from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York and then graduated in 2001 with a V.M.D. from The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. "Many people wonder why I have different initials after my name. The degree is the same as that of a DVM. The only difference is in the history of my school. My veterinary school was started by a group of medical doctors, and so the degree became M.D. with the V. tacked on the beginning to mean Veterinary Medical Doctor."
Her current pet family consists of Maverick, 4 year old mixed breed dog, two cats, Angel (AKA Snowflake) and Hope, and one horse, a thoroughbred named Glory.
Dr. Kitz loves water sports - knee-boarding, water skiing, boating and fishing. She loves to dance, and couldn't imagine life without music. Country music and the Texas-two step are her favorites. She also likes hiking, camping, horseback riding, and anything out in nature. She loves to watch pro football - Go Steelers!(sorry Cowboys fans!) And if that isn't enough, she is adding on a couple more things!
The goals and dreams she had for her career when she was 12 years old haven't changed a bit now that she is a veterinarian. "I love to make a difference in the lives of people and their pets. That, and my love for all of God's creatures, is why I am a veterinarian."
Renee Humphries: Practice Manager
Renee literally grew up in the field of veterinary medicine, with more than two decades of both large and small animal experience. She worked as a technician throughout her years at Greenville High School in Texas; earned her Certification as a Veterinary Assistant from the Texas Veterinary Medical Association; served as the Technician Supervisor and Surgery Director for Hillside Veterinary Clinic for eight years; and was the Practice Manager of an equine veterinary clinic.
Life intervened, including marriage to David and the birth of Danielle, now 6 years old. The small town of Campbell is home, and other family members are four horses, two cats and a dog. Beside spending time with her family. Renee Humphries' pastimes are Western trail riding, painting, ice skating and roller skating.
Because of her extensive clinical and administrative background, Renee Humphries was selected as the Practice Manager for the Abrams Forest Veterinary Clinic in 2004 and colleague of Dr. Allison Merrill, who, Renee believes, "is the best veterinarian because she holds our standards for patients and client care very high." Renee Humphries is dedicated to motivating the Abrams Forest team to maintain those benchmarks.
Debbie: Client Service Representative
A transplanted 'Yankee', Debbie was born in New York, raised in Connecticut and graduated from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
Her commercial and entrepreneurial skills were sharpened by her ownership of a retail store and years of management responsibilities at The Home Depot, where she also met her husband, Steve. The couple 'retired', and they fueled their wanderlust by travel to 49 countries! Later, to be closer to Steve's family, they moved to Terrell.
Debbie returned to the work force in 2002 and took charge of the Front Desk of a large animal clinic. There she discovered that her new inclination was toward the veterinary field, working with pets and their owners. This led to a position as a Client Service Representative at the Hillside Veterinary Clinic.
Her enthusiasm ("I sometimes forget it is a job!") and sincere professionalism ("One of my duties is to give exceptional care and treatment to every pet and client upon arrival.") were recognized , and in October, 2006, she was asked and "happily joined the great team of doctors at Abrams Forest Veterinary Clinic."
Jess: Dr. Merrill's Veterinary Technician
Raised on her father's farm in Athens, TX, where she graduated high school, Jessica has been caring for many different types of animals all her life. "I always knew I wanted to care for animals, it's my passion."
Jess joined Abrams Forest Veterinary Clinic in 2007 with six years veterinary technician experience and became a Certified Veterinary Assistant (Texas Veterinary Medical Association) in 2006.
She and her husband, Brandon, are proud parents of four dogs; Harley (Miniature Pinscher), Ruby (Chihuahua), Hank and Flip (Miniature Pinscher brothers). Jess has a special interest in radiology and enjoys caring for patients that require extensive hospital treatment.
Jessica: Client Service Represenative
Growing up with dogs, cats and horses in Houston, TX, Jessica has always had a passion for animals. Following her father's wishes, she took the corporate route and attended the University of Houston to obtain a degree in Business Management.
Working previously as a client service supervisor for Credit Solutions Jessica was torn, "I really enjoyed helping people, but wanted to help animals, too!" Jessica joined our team in 2008. "I followed my heart and found happiness at Abrams Forest Vet Clinic, helping our clients and their pets have the best experience possible!"
When Jessica isn't working she is bowling, enjoying a movie or at home with her fiancé and their two cats: Milo, a Snowshoe Siamese, and Lizzie, a Domestic Short Hair.
Beth: Dr. Kitz's Veterinary Technician
Joining our team in 2008, Beth was born in Wyoming and moved to Texas when she was just a year old. She attended school in Dallas and continues her education in Business Management.
She has an extensive veterinary background; including working as a veterinary technician in multiple small animal clinics and assisting in opening an Emergency Clinic in Woodland, TX. She is a certified American Boarding Kennel Association Pet Care Technician and a certified Pet Tech Instructor, which she uses to conduct pet first aid and CPR seminars to pet owners and professionals.
When Beth isn't conducting Pet First Aid Seminars or working for Abrams Forest Vet, you can find her taking photographs, swimming, riding horses or reading her animal behavioral books. Her pet family includes: four dogs, Burt, Tasha, Scottie, Angel and two cats, Cha Chi and Cow.
Beth loves animals and loves to teach people how to care for them, "I have always had a passion for animals and consider myself fortunate for getting the opportunity to teach people how to care for them. I'm excited to be part of the Abrams Forest team and look forward to my fantastic future here!"