-- Shalako’s Story --
Get To Know Us
Dr. Kaci Merk, DVM, is the owner of Shalako K | Veterinary Medicine. She is passionate about integrative veterinary medicine and is committed to providing compassionate, individualized care that helps animals live healthier, more comfortable lives. Through ongoing continuing education, she continually expands her knowledge to bring the best of both Western and complementary veterinary medicine to her patients.
Shalako K | Veterinary Medicine is a primarily mobile integrative veterinary practice serving a variety of animal species throughout North Central Texas and South Central Oklahoma. The practice combines chiropractic care, IVAS-certified veterinary acupuncture, rehabilitation, laser therapy, and evidence-based Western medicine to create personalized treatment plans that support healing, mobility, pain management, and overall wellness.
The name Shalako K | comes from Dr. Kaci’s childhood love of Louis L’Amour’s Sackett book series and incorporates the initial “K” from her name with the vertical bar that has become part of the practice’s unique brand identity.
This Website
Dr. Kaci is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and is certified in animal chiropractic by Options for Animals College of Animal Chiropractic. Dr. Kaci is not board-certified in an animal specialty as defined by the AVMA.
This website is where you can learn about the services offered by Shalako K |, get in contact with us to make appointments, find our official social media links, and read reliable resources.
-- Timeline --
How It All Got Started
The Beginning
When I was 10 years old, I started showing Australian Shepherds in the AKC conformation ring, agility, herding trials, and obedience. I have worked with dogs of all breeds, shapes, sizes, and disciplines. I’ve always had a soft spot for working dogs and canine athletes.
Ironman
It all started with a washed-up, previously injured, off-the-track Thoroughbred named Ironman.
Ironman was my first horse, my inspiration to become a veterinarian, the fuel of my love for the Thoroughbred breed, and my passion for sports medicine. Ironman was also how I met the most influential person in my life, Layce Sheets.
Unfortunately, my time with Ironman wasn’t to be long-lived, he passed away at 14 of gastrointestinal lymphoma. Dr. Rob Thoni was the vet that helped me and Ironman through this difficult time. Dr. Rob was my veterinary mentor through undergrad, helped me through vet school, and set me up to start once I had graduated from vet school. He was a great vet and a better friend to me.
Hank The Cowdog ‘Hank’
Hank The Cowdog ‘Hank’ was Dr. Kaci’s most successful herding dog. Hank was the bridge from equine sports to canine athletes. He would accompany me on every ride I took and would gather cattle in the pasture while I waited by the gait on my horse. His work ethic made my horses look lazy.
Veterinary School
My vet school career was a very challenging experience since it took place during the height of covid-19, but looking back I would not trade it for anything. Throughout it all, I got to travel and work with vets from all walks of life and see all kinds of animals.
From South Africa where I worked on wildlife and did conservation work, to Alaska where I worked on sled dogs and working military dogs, to Kentucky at Churchill Downs where the racehorses are, to Florida and their show horses, to all over Texas where there are performance horses in every discipline. I mentored under 31 different veterinarians in 3 different countries, and across 5 different US states.
Veterinary Medicine Graduation
Dr. Kaci is a graduate of Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2022.
Dr. Kaci is a proud Alumni and goes back to visit Oklahoma frequently. Go Pokes!
IVCA
I went to Animal Chiropractic school, Options for Animals. This period was right after I finished vet school and I enjoyed the continuing education immensely. Correcting vertebral subluxations can aide western medicine treatments in so many ways.
Shalako K | Veterinary Medicine
My goal is to focus on the areas of sports medicine and chiropractic for both horses and dogs. This is my passion; I love to work with the animals whose owners not only have a passion to improve their animal’s performance but also themselves.
Shalako K | Veterinary Medicine
My goal is to focus in the areas of integrative medicine and chiropractic which is what spurred me to start my own mobile practice. This is my passion; I love to work with the animals whose owners not only have a passion to improve their animal’s performance but also themselves.
IVAS
Going through a veterinary acupuncture course was the most mind-opening post-graduate education that I could have ever done. Learning the Eastern medicine side and being able to integrate it with Western medicine is the most expansive way of treating a patient. There is almost no ailment that cannot be treated with acupuncture.
-- Our Team --
Meet Our Expert and Compassionate Team
Dr. Kaci Merk, DVM
Owner & Sole Practitioner
Layce A. Sheets
Business Associate and Practice Manager
