Meet Our Talented Team
At ZCVC, our veterinarians share more than 100 years of combined clinical experience, and they each have special areas of interest and expertise. At our clinic, the entire veterinary team works together to provide you and your pet an outstanding experience.
Owner, DVM
Dr. Shari
Since a young age, Dr. Shari knew she wanted to work with animals. She had a dog washing business as a kid, but had to quit after she clogged the bathtub drains. She graduated from Purdue Vet School in 1986, where she met her husband Rick. She has two sons, Paul and Noah, and a menagerie of animals that includes horses, dogs, cats, chickens, and more. Dr. Shari loves music and has been involved with Barbershop Harmony groups, as well as plays the clarinet for her church orchestra.
Owner, DVM
Dr. Rick
After graduating from Purdue University in 1985, Dr. Rick has strived to hone his skills in emergency and referral medicine. His areas of expertise are in diagnostic and surgical orthopedics, laser surgery, ultrasound and endoscopy diagnostics. He assists at ER hospitals around the city and works with horses in his “free time.” He enjoys collecting trains, working on old cars, cycling, horses, and his newest hobby, piloting. Coincidentally, he also is happily married and has two sons, Paul and Noah.
DVM
Dr. Jones-Bakhshi
Dr. Melissa Jones is an Indiana native and graduate of Purdue University. She has been with the ZCVC team since June, 2019. Her areas of interest include wellness care, feline medicine and behavior, and geriatric patient management. Dr. Jones really enjoys the opportunity to help pet owners keep their pets as healthy as possible throughout their entire lives by providing preventive care. Nothing is more fulfilling to her than working with pet owners to help a pet feel better, and just as importantly, stay better. In her free time, Dr. Jones enjoys running, reading, and spending time with her husband, their daughter, and three cats.
DVM
Dr. Merle
Dr. Christine Merle is a University of Illinois graduate who joined ZCVC in April 2022. For the last 20+ years,she has worked in a wide variety of roles in the animal health industry including teaching veterinary students, presenting at international meetings and working for companies in a wide variety of technical, marketing and sales roles. Now back in practice again she enjoys being able to work with the entire team in supporting pet owners and their beloved furry companions. Dr. Merle and her husband reside in Zionsville with their senior dog Dozer. In her free time, Dr. Merle enjoys riding and showing dressage with her horse, Whimsy.
DVM
Dr. Martin
Dr. Martin is a Virginia native who now happily calls Indiana home. She attended Virginia Tech, earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Virginia–Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004. After living and practicing in several states, she settled in Indiana in 2016 and joined the ZCVC team in 2019. Dr. Martin enjoys travel, camping, and spending time with her family. She and her husband of 25 years have three teenage daughters and a much-loved, very spoiled dachshund, Tagalong. She is grateful for the privilege of caring for people by caring for their pets.
DVM
Dr. Wiley
Dr. Kiersten Wiley joined our team in the summer of 2024. Her interest in veterinary medicine began with her first word, 'bird,' and her fascination with animals never wavered as she pursued her career. Dr. Wiley spent 8 years at Purdue University earning her undergraduate and Doctorate degrees. She then moved to Eastern North Carolina to enjoy the mountains and beaches while growing as a young Doctor and learning new procedures. After a few years, she decided to move closer to family and partnered with a practice in downtown Indianapolis. As her family has grown, Dr. Wiley wanted to spend more time with them and take a step back from management. This led her to join Zionsville Country Vet, where her family trusted their pets’ care growing up.
Dr. Wiley loves working in general practice because every day provides a new and interesting problem to solve. Her passion is soft tissue surgery, especially foreign body retrievals and C-section deliveries.
When not in the office, Dr. Wiley enjoys spending time with her husband, Jacob, their two sons, Declan and Dalton, and their dogs, Maci Mae and Mrs. Pigglesworth. Her hobbies include exercise (mostly chasing a toddler and walking the stroller), reading, cooking, and riding horses. She is happy to be back in her hometown and can’t wait to care for all of the Eagle families!
Certifications
AAHA Certified
Cat Friendly
Fear Free Visits
The Fear Free initiative was created in 2016, and this program provides education to veterinary professionals. The program’s focus is to improve pets’ emotional well-being by reducing fear, anxiety, and stress. Dr. Shari is a Fear Free Certified Professional, and the entire team is trained using Fear Free techniques, as well as animal behavior handling, and gentle restraint techniques through Dr. Sophia Yin’s Low Stress Handling courses. Dr. Shari was so passionate about creating a more calming experience for animals, she built the first Fear Free veterinary clinic from the ground up in the country. Visit the clinic tour page to learn more about how our facility is designed to create fear free visits. Learn more about Fear Free at: www.fearfreepets.com.
The most important concept regarding Fear Free visits is taking into consideration the pet’s emotional AND physical well-being. Decreasing fear and anxiety for a pet’s visit is a TEAM effort. Here’s what we all can do to create Fear Free visits:
What YOU can do:
- Deliver your pet to the veterinary clinic calm and relaxed.
- Avoid conveying your own concerns by not talking or keeping your tone conversational, not “soothing". If you’re concerned, then they must need to be too, right?
- Desensitize your cat to its carrier (see video) and use a carrier cover.
- Don’t carry the cat carrier by the handle. This jostles your kitty! Hold it in front like a precious package.
- Use pheromones (soothing fragrances) or nutraceuticals (natural anti-anxiety medications) prior to the car ride.
- Bring a favorite toy, bed or treat.
- Limit food the day of the visit to make treats more desirable and distracting.
Once you arrive:
- Watch for signs of anxiety or fear. There are posters in each exam room to help you identify subtle signs.
- If your pet shows any signs of fear or attention-seeking behavior, the best thing to do is to remove your attention.
- Do not pet, talk to, or look at an anxious pet. This actually feeds the fear! If you can sit quietly reading a book or catching up on your Candy Crush game, your dog or cat will sense this is a place they can relax. Before you know it, they will be exploring the room and maybe even greeting the doctor!
- Allow your pet to approach the veterinary team at their own pace. The doctor will let you know if they need you to assist with the introductions.
What WE can do:
- Carefully assess your pet’s level of fear, anxiety or stress.
- Use lots of delectable treats.
- Determine and use your pet’s preferred handling method and note it in medical record.
- Allow time for our patient to relax and choose to greet us/allow treatment.
- Use pheromones for calming.
- Eliminate exposure to other patients in waiting area.
- Cat-only exam rooms and treatment areas for our feline patients.
- Use sedatives/pain management if needed to avoid further fear or anxiety.
- Never force a procedure unless medically necessary.
- Choose treatment options which allow the least pain and handling. (Ask us about our needles!)
- Plan for pre-visit anti-anxiety medications for future visits if needed.
- Encourage “Happy Visits.”
For Cats
Quiet waiting areas, feline pheromones, and specialized handling techniques.
For Dogs
Treat-motivated rewards, non-slip flooring, and low-stress environment.
Clinic Tour
Our clinic was specifically designed to enhance patient and client experience in a fear free manner
Welcome to ZCVC!
Our current building was finished in 2017, and was built from the ground up specifically to be fear-free!
Designated dog entrance
Designated doors for dog entrance and dog exit allow one-way traffic flow, avoiding unexpected interactions between dogs who may be out of their comfort zone.
Designated cat entrance
Separate cat entrance, the first step in allowing cats to avoid interaction with dogs throughout their entire visit.
Dog reception area
Our dog reception area is open with plenty of natural light.
Our dedicated front desk staff
Team members ready to greet you in the reception area.
The Cattery
A space at the front of the building where our clinic cats and any adoptable cats that may be with us spend part of their time with plenty of windows and high perches available! Ask a staff member about coming inside to visit with our friendly felines.
Indoor dog exam rooms
Options available with windows to be more open with natural lighting, as well as without windows to provide a more private space. We are always ready to offer tasty treats (with your permission!), a soft rug, or a calming bandana to make your dog more comfortable.
Outdoor dog exam rooms
Another option to help your dog feel more comfortable during his trip to see us.
Cat exam rooms
By creating a space where dogs can’t be heard, seen, or smelled, we strive to make your cat’s visit as fear free as possible!
Cat exam rooms
Cat exam rooms have a special place for your kitty to feel safe.
Dog treatment
Dog treatment area and in-house laboratory
X-ray room
Our x-ray room is equipped with digital radiology equipment allowing high quality images to be taken and immediately read by our veterinarians. We can also send out x-rays to consult with boarded radiologists when necessary.
Surgical suite
This room is equipped with a surgical laser and top-of-the-line anesthesia and monitoring equipment.
Dental suite
This room is equipped with digital dental x-ray, allowing us to provide the best dental care for your pet. From routine dental cleanings to more advanced procedures such as tooth extractions, your pet is in good hands. Dr. Jones is working on a dental patient with the assistance of team members Tyler and Abbie monitoring anesthesia and assisting.
Dog ICU
Dog ICU and Recovery is where dogs who need to be monitored closely stay with us. Whether recovering from a surgery or hospitalized on IV fluids, our team has a great view of the ICU from the dog treatment area. Single and double kennels with heated floors, as well as a master suite (not pictured) are available for dogs of all sizes!
Large dog kennel
Large dog kennel is for large dogs who are staying with us for the day. Floors and glass fronted doors are specifically designed with your dog’s comfort in mind.
Cat ICU
This quiet area is ideal for your cat’s comfort during their stay with us. Cats are not able to see any other cats from their vantage point, and their space can be equipped with a special hiding box for extra privacy.
Isolation room
The isolation room is available for housing and care of dogs or cats which may have an infectious disease, so that the rest of our patients are protected.
Backyard
Our backyard includes a fenced-in area for walking dogs.
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is where we stock the many medications, preventions, and vaccines that we keep on hand to meet the needs of your pet! We also keep many prescription diets in stock as well.
Upstairs
Upstairs, we have a large space available for team meetings, guest speakers, and puppy class.
The DADO Fund
Dave Albert Defense of Animals Fund — A legacy of compassion for pets in need.
Dave Albert
(1942 – 2009)
In October, 2009, Dr. Shari Lyons lost her father, Dave Albert, to a brief illness. Dave had been a significant force in Dr. Shari’s life, not only as a father, but as a mentor and lover of animals. As a young man, Dave had considered being a veterinarian, but was guided instead to a career in engineering.
His love for pets never waned as evidenced by the many animal related pursuits he enjoyed. His assistance was immeasurable with his children’s dog washing business and as the children grew, he continued as a dog trainer for the Pike Township 4-H program. After retiring from GM, he started his own business grooming dogs and cats and providing “do it yourself” grooming facilities. His own dogs and cats gave him so much joy he was never without a Max or Bailey story.
In honor of her father, Dr. Shari has created the Dave Albert Defense of (DADO) Animals Fund. This fund is dedicated to improving the health and welfare of local homeless and needy pets. These funds will stay in Boone county and one hundred percent of the money donated will go to discounted services provided by the Zionsville Country Veterinary Clinic.
Donations can be made for any reason, but many of the initial donations were made in Dave’s honor and in memory of beloved pets. Dave Albert had a tender heart and was often moved by the same brown eyes the Dave Albert Memorial Fund intends to protect. Although he will always be missed, Dr. Shari is sure he would be proud to know that animals in need were being helped in his memory.
How You Can Help
Help us provide medical care for homeless animals. Donations can be made in memory of a beloved pet or in honor of a friend.
Thank you for your generosity!