Dr. Lofgren is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania College of Veterinary Medicine, and earned her BA in biochemistry from Colorado College. After earning her VMD, she moved to New York to complete an internship in avian and exotic animal medicine and surgery at Long Island Bird and Exotics Veterinary Clinic, and received her board certification in Exotic Pet Medicine. While in New York she also worked extensively with wildlife through the Wild Bird Fund.

   Dr. Lofgren provides high quality medicine for exotic pet species, including advanced imaging, blood work, infectious disease testing and surgical procedures. She has presented at the Exotics Conference on cases of avian imaging and pneumonia, reptile heart disease, and treatment of ferret cystine urolithiasis. 

 She was raised in Ogden, Utah, and is thrilled to return home to join the Exotics team at Mountain West. Dr. Lofgren speaks Mandarin, and outside the hospital enjoys skiing and spending time with her husband, three ferrets (Vera, Bella and Edward), blue tongue skink (Arms McLegs), panther chameleon (Petunia), hamster (George), and axolotl (Alfred).

Dr. Stephen Santangelo is originally from Pennsylvania and grew up in Chadds Ford, PA. He received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He then attended North Carolina State University for vet school and received his DVM with a focus in zoological medicine. During vet school, he was involved with the NC State Turtle Rescue Team and the Carnivore Conservation Crew. After graduating, he completed a small animal rotating internship and then a zoological medicine specialty internship, both at the University of Georgia.

Dr. Santangelo enjoys working with all species and has a special interest in reptile anesthesia and analgesia.

In his free time, he enjoys hiking, going to craft breweries, and watching sports (he is an avid Tar Heel and Philadelphia sports fan).

Dr. Santangelo is looking forward to enjoying the Utah sports teams and exploring the local trails.

Dr. Harris obtained her DVM from The Ohio State University in 1992.  She practiced traditional small animal medicine, both general practice and emergency, prior to completing an internship at the Birmingham Zoo.  She spent several years working in the zoo field, including a staff vet position at Utah's Hogle Zoo.  Recognizing that a huge need existed for high-quality comprehensive veterinary care for the exotic pets in the Salt Lake Valley, she established WEPC in 2004.  WEPC moved into their own facility at our current location in 2009, became fully exotic-exclusive in 2015, and underwent a remodel shortly after that, tripling the size of the original facility.  Dr. Harris has provided backup veterinary support for the Tracy Aviary and worked as the consulting veterinarian for the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.  She is a member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians, the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians and the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians, also serving 6 years on the executive board of AEMV.  Dr. Harris is an avid birder with a life list of over 900 species.  

Dr. Mary Dickerson grew up in St. Louis, MO, and graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005.  She moved to Utah with her husband and daughters in 2014.  Dr. Dickerson has had an exciting and varied career taking care of everything from cats and dogs to monkeys, sheep, pigs (and so much more) in a University setting, and now exotic pets. 

Pampered Paws & Ponies, Owner & Operator

One free nail trim for any rabbit adopted from a rescue! 

Joni Merrill

Owner, Operator

Certified Feline Master Groomer

Certified Rabbit Groomer

Certified Pet Stylist

Fear Free & AKC S.A.F.E. Certifed Professional

(801) 440-6991

joni@pameredpawsnponies.com