MEET OUR PARTNERS
Dr. Paul Cook, DVM
Corporate Partner
Dr. Paul Cook is a corporate partner and has been with Atwater Merced Veterinary Clinics since 2000. He is a native of San Diego and came to Merced, which is the second largest dairy production county in the world, to work in the dairy industry. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1994 and was awarded his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of California, Davis in 1999.
Dr. Cook’s dairy practice entails working with multiple dairy herds, ranging from 500 to 7000 cows, on a daily basis. When he is not busy working with the cows, Dr. Cook enjoys working in the small animal clinic. Dr. Cook holds the position of Practice Managing Corporate Partner for AMVC and is a member of the California Veterinary Medical Association Agriculture Committee, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, the Cal Poly Animal Science Advisory Council and the University of California Alumni Network-San Joaquin.
Dr. Cook is married to Dr. Ekblom, they have three children – Elliott, Annika and Evelynn. When he is not busy chasing dairy cows or children, Dr. Cook enjoys running half marathons, hiking, and learning to play the piano.
Dr. Nicole Ekblom, DVM
Corporate Partner
Dr. Nicole Ekblom joined the Atwater Merced Veterinary health care team in 2000 and is a corporate partner. She was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and is happy to have made Merced her hometown. Dr. Ekblom obtained both her Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science in 1995 and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1999, at the University of California, Davis.
Dr. Ekblom’s focus is working with dairy herds. A majority of her work consists of routine herd health procedures, reproductive exams using ultrasound, surgical procedures and dairy records analysis. She has a special interest in milk quality and mastitis and manages the AMVC Milk Quality Laboratory. Dr. Ekblom can also be found working in the small animal clinic or with some of the local dairy goat herds.
Dr. Ekblom is married to Dr. Cook. She is a busy mother of three children – Elliott, Annika, and Evelyn. She really loves camping, hiking, and cross country skiing, but would skip all that for just one good night’s sleep!
Dr. Betty Lawson, DVM
Corporate Partner
Dr. Betty Lawson received her BS in Animal Science at Cal Poly- San Luis Obispo. She then attended Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine where she earned her DVM. She joined the Merced Veterinary Clinic team in May of 2005. Professionally, she has a special interest in surgery and hopes to one day become a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.
Dr. Lawson has regular clinic hours at both our Atwater and Merced locations.
Dr. Alicia Smith, DVM
Corporate Partner
We are pleased that Dr. Alicia Smith returned to our practice after a two year hiatus managing her family’s dairy farm in Northern New York State. Dr. Smith graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007 and was an associate veterinarian at AMVC from 2007 until 2012. Dr. Smith practiced dairy medicine as well as small animal surgery and medicine at both the Atwater Veterinary Center and the Merced Veterinary Clinic.
She is excited to be back in the Atwater-Merced area to reconnect with her former clients and patients as well as meet new ones. Dr. Smith’s particular interests lie in dairy farm employee training (she is bilingual in English and Spanish), dairy computer records analysis, and small animal surgery. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners.
Dr. Smith shares her home with her two ‘Labradorables’, Verna and Pasha. Verna was previously training as a guide dog for the blind before choosing a career as co-pilot for Dr. Smith on her field calls.
Dr. Sydney Westbrook, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Sydney Westbrook is a local California native from Dos Palos. She received her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from University of California, Davis in 2014 and continued on at UC Davis to receive her DVM degree in 2019. She then returned back home to the Central Valley and joined the AMVC family in June of 2019 before becoming a Partner in June 2021. While in vet school, she attended the Summer Dairy Institute at Cornell University, a dairy management program for veterinarians. She is one of the mixed animal veterinarians in the practice, going out on dairies in the morning and seeing small animals at the Merced and Atwater clinics in the afternoons. Her special interests include milking parlor evaluation, dairy record analysis, reproduction and dermatology.
In her free time, Sydney enjoys spending time with her husband, Jacob, and their Australian Cattle Dog Mix, Bailey. She enjoys snow skiing, spending time outdoors, bowling and doing crafts such as crochet and painting.
MEET OUR VETERINARIANS
Dr. Keely Bertram, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Bertram grew up a child of a National Park service family, where she developed a great appreciation for all types of animals both domestic and wild. During her high school years she worked at Oakhurst Veterinary Clinic where she fostered a variety of orphaned babies from birds, squirrels, and possums, to kittens and puppies. She attended Fresno City College and Fresno State University prior to transferring to the University of California Davis, where she was awarded her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2002.
Dr. Bertram joined Atwater Merced Veterinary Clinic as an associate veterinarian in 2004. Dr. Bertram maintains regular clinic hours at both the Atwater and Merced Locations.
Her household is full of a multitude of pets. There is Clementine Rose (her beloved basset hound), Lenny & LoLo Two (weechuahuas!), Amy and Beaurgard Festis the cats; and Turtle, the 20+ year old box turtle. Dr. Bertram has a history of adopting a stray for each year she works. Who knows what type of critter is next!
Dr. Haley Bartlett, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Haley Bartlett is a California native, born in the San Francisco Bay Area and happily transplanted to the Central Valley. Dr. Bartlett has always loved animals, and dreamed of pursuing a career in veterinary medicine very early. She was thrilled to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in 2017, and went on to earn her DVM from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2022.
Dr. Bartlett’s favorite parts of vet med include dairy production medicine, goats, camelids, surgery, nutrition, dermatology, and of course the owners! She loves being a mixed animal vet, helping critters large and small!
In her free time, Dr. Bartlett loves to spend time with her husband, Joe, and their four (for now) fur children, Hazel the black lab, Olive the border collie mix, Pepper and Goose the cats! She also enjoys spending time outdoors, crafting, traveling, and being a plant mom. Dr. Bartlett looks forward to meeting you and your pets!
Dr. Sam Katten, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Sam Katten is a dedicated and passionate veterinarian with a strong affinity for animal science and a special fondness for sheep. He embarked on his academic journey at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in 2019. Throughout his undergraduate years, Dr. Katten actively participated in managing the school’s flock of sheep, solidifying his interest in small ruminant medicine and reproduction.
His insatiable curiosity and commitment to animal care led him to further his education at the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. In 2023, he proudly achieved his lifelong goal of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Tufts University. During his time at Tufts, Dr. Katten delved deeper into his passion for sheep and small ruminant care, honing his skills in the intricacies of their health and reproductive systems.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Dr. Katten possesses a diverse range of hobbies. An avid runner and hiker, he finds solace in the great outdoors, relishing the chance to connect with nature. In contrast, his love for video games allows him to explore virtual worlds and challenge his strategic thinking. Dr. Katten’s enthusiasm for sports, particularly professional football and college basketball, further enriches his life. He is an unwavering supporter of the New York Jets!
With his strong academic foundation and hands-on experience, he is poised to make a lasting impact in the field and contribute to the well-being of animals under his care.
Dr. Amanda Farr, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Amanda Farr is a remarkable veterinarian with a diverse range of experiences and a strong passion for animal care. Her journey began at South Dakota State University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology in 2018, with minors in Chemistry and Animal Health. Her academic foundation laid the groundwork for her future endeavors in the field of veterinary medicine.
In 2023, Dr. Farr achieved a significant milestone by graduating from Iowa State University with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. Her dedication to learning and her commitment to the well-being of animals drove her to excel in her studies and gain the skills necessary to provide top-notch veterinary care.
Beyond her veterinary pursuits, Dr. Farr proudly serves as a member of the South Dakota Air National Guard. For nearly a decade, she has been an aircraft structural maintainer, showcasing her dedication, discipline, and versatility.
With a heart for animals and a desire to create positive experiences for them, Dr. Farr is Fear Free certified, demonstrating her commitment to ensuring that veterinary visits are as stress-free and comforting as possible for pets. Her empathetic approach and knowledge make her an invaluable asset to her patients and their owners.
Dr. Farr’s professional interests span various facets of veterinary medicine. Her expertise in small animal dentistry, as well as her fascination with beef cattle and pigs, highlights her dedication to providing comprehensive care across different species.
Outside of her professional commitments, Dr. Farr’s roots in agriculture run deep. Growing up on her family’s farm in South Dakota, where they raised beef cattle and finished hogs, she developed a genuine connection to farm life. Her passion for animals extended to the rodeo arena before college, and she looks forward to rekindling her love for riding horses and roping.
In her leisure time, Dr. Farr enjoys a diverse range of activities, from hiking and running to reading and engaging in DIY projects. Her upcoming goal of running her first full marathon in the winter reflects her determination and perseverance. With a few half marathons under her belt already, she’s well on her way to achieving this feat.
Praise for Our Team
The Doctors and staff are all amazing and loving and caring.
I board my cats there and Mia gets amazing attention and Condo accommodations.
Thank you All at Atwater Vet clinic.
Went there for the first time with our new puppy on Wednesday. The facility was nice and the staff were very friendly. They did a great job of distracting him while giving him his shot and answered all of my questions. They made a great first impression and we will be back!
My dog is my life. He sleeps between my husband and I he is the baby… A big baby. He has had seizures since he was 2 months old. I didn’t want to put him on medication. When I brought him here we were treated very nicely. The vet looked over our dog and explained it was seizures he was having and by not putting him on medications each one he had was causing further brain damage. I was upset but knew this vet was right so I put him on the medication. He has far less seizures now and is doing great.
Each time I’ve called, they’ve been able to get my pets in quickly. The staff is friendly and helpful. The vets are great. We’ve seen Dr. Bertram the most. My dog absolutely loves her.
I have 7 cats and 2 dogs and would not think of bringing them anywhere else for care. The staff consists of all animal lovers and some have rescued animals that have been surrendered. They have saved us so much money by offering alternate services and care that other area vets stated wouldn’t work. They take a personal stake in your animal while in their care. I will recommend them to anyone who cares about their animals.
The Staff are So Wonderful with the Pets! They have Beautiful Customer Service! I am so impressed how they really care for our PETS! My Dog 🐕 Rocky was Nervous there but he was So Calm with the Staff 😊
They are the best – the people in there are beautiful.
Dr. Karr and Dr. Larson are super vets – always doing above the call for our baby Zaza. The techs (ALL of you, too many to remember by name) always treat our sassy baby just so sweet. Thank you for your care. I don’t want to forget the receptionist they have a smile and friendly voices all the time helping to get me in very fast.
Dr. Lawson is amazing! The level of care is top notch!
The first time I took my dog here Tula she was a little nervous but the staff and the doctors are very nice here at this vet I would recommend this Veterinary Clinic to anybody helpful loving understanding and listens and conversate with you about any questions you have for your animal and to me the prices are reasonable I got my dog to Tallulah short for Tula Spade they did such a great job.
