Dr. Dennis Chmiel
Medical Director/veterinarian

Dr.Chmiel joined the Merrimack Veterinary Hospital team in 2000. He is a 1994 graduate of Canisius College in Buffalo, NY, and a 1998 graduate of the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Chmiel provides medical, surgical and emergency treatment for a variety of companion species, including cats, dogs and exotics. He serves as managing veterinarian and oversees OSSES (Outstanding Service = Staff Education and Standardization) work culture training at MVH.


Dr. Chmiel has worked with exotic and wildlife specialists at Tufts Wildlife Clinic, the New England Aquarium, Roger Williams Park Zoo, Littleton Animal Hospital, MA, and Fisherville Animal Hospital in NH. He also trained at the Avicultural Breeding and Research Center in Loxahatchee, Florida, and at the Animal Medical Center in New York. He was the 1998 recipient of the Dr. George P. Faddoul Award for Excellence in the Field of Avian Medicine.

In 2003 he was elected into the Veterinary Leadership Group (www.vlg.us) This is a "think tank" of about 25 individuals from across the United States and Canada that meets twice yearly to share, learn, develop and expand ideas to positively impact the veterinary profession.

He was one of the first veterinarians in New Hampshire to routinely use endoscopy, applying numerous minimally invasive therapies and surgeries to veterinary patients.  He has focused on advancing the standard of care in animal dentistry using digital dental radiology combined with advanced extraction techniques.  In recent years he has also put considerable effort into developing progressive perioperative pain management protocols and now helps train other veterinarians in these techniques.  By combining extremely effective pain prevention with highly advanced anesthetic monitoring, he has helped make Merrimack Veterinary Hospital unique in safe, comfortable patient anesthesia and analgesia.  Under his leadership, the MVH practice philosophy is best summarized by the following, " Traditional Values, Innovative Medicine".
 
When not working on veterinary projects, Dr. Chmiel loves hiking, whitewater kayaking, canoeing, bird watching, and traveling. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Mary Ann Sanfilippo, DVM, their most-of-the-time good dog, Kira; four Brussel's Griffons: Opal, Ruby, Rocky and Minnie Pearl; and one leopard gecko, Ishmael.
 
Dr. Chmiel is a member of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management , American Veterinary Medical Association, the Association of Avian Veterinarians, the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians, and the American Veterinary Dental Society.