Meet Our Doctors

Dr. Rebecca Black grew up in northwest suburb of Chicago where she spent most of her childhood and young adult life assisting her father, Dr. Robert Merlo, in the family veterinary practice. It was at a young age she learned her passion for both animals and medicine and knew she would be following her father's footsteps.

She moved out to Southern California in 1997 to attend University of California, San Diego where she received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. She then went on to attend Western University of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine where she received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine as part of the charter class in 2007. She has been working in Riverside County as an associate veterinarian and recently achieved her long-term goal of opening Old Town Veterinary Hospital in Murrieta alongside her father Dr. Robert Merlo. She is excited about the vision of a family-oriented, welcoming environment taking form with personalized, compassionate care.

While Dr. Black enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine and the diversity it can bring on a daily routine, her special interests include internal medicine (especially endocrinology) and soft-tissue surgery. She has an enduring enthusiasm to continue learning which expands her professional and personal life.

In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband, Houston, and 2 young sons, Charlie and Liam. When she is not too busy attending her son's sports events or attempting golf with her husband, she enjoys cooking different recipes to serve her family, home improvement projects, and interior design. She also shares her home with her beloved King Charles Cavalier, Macy and Golden Doodle Rudy.

Dr. Manya Miller grew up in Murrieta, CA where she graduated from Murrieta Valley High School with letters in academics, water polo, and swimming. She went on to play Collegiate Division III water polo at California State University East Bay where she graduated with honors and earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology, with an option in Forensic Science and a minor in Chemistry.

She has always loved animals and her dream of becoming a veterinarian was well known by all, even when she was a little girl. Dr. Miller received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The University of Melbourne in Australia. She enjoyed working with diversity of animals there and she developed a love for wildlife and travel. She continues to represent her alma mater as an international ambassador and has travelled around the country talking with pre-veterinary students about achieving their own dreams in the field.

After graduating from veterinary school, Dr. Miller went on to complete an internship with The California Veterinary Specialists in Murrieta and Carlsbad. It was there she developed a love for ophthalmology and went on to pursue an ophthalmology specific internship with The Animal Eye Institute in Cincinnati, OH.

She is interested in how ophthalmic health can be a reflection of a pet's overall health and how an eye exam can lead to early disease detection. She loves being a proponent of achieving the best quality of life possible for her patients and she is excited to join the experienced team at Old Town Veterinary Hospital.

Outside of work, Dr. Miller enjoys activities such as yoga, surfing, salsa dancing and attending local live music and comedy shows. She stays active by running and hiking with her young husky, Atreyu. She loves the outdoors. It is currently her dream to become involved with programs that offer veterinary care to developing countries that aim to uplift the human and animal condition.

Dr. Pamela Giam was born and raised in Singapore in a home that rescued orphaned wildlife and pets. Her parents had a huge influence in her love for animals and her career pursuit in medicine.

After completing high school in Singapore, Dr. Giam had the opportunity to explore her academic and life endeavors in Southern California. She graduated with a B.S. in Biology from the University of California at Davis, then moved cross country to Kansas State University where she earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2007.

Dr. Giam enjoys meeting and educating clients on preventive medicine and holds a special interest in dermatology and parasitology. Outside of work, her greatest joys include raising her gregarious son, living an active lifestyle, and traveling with her family. She is honored to be part of the Old Town family and is excited to continue doing what she loves best!

Dr. Marni Ackernecht grew up in the Pocono mountains of Pennsylvania where her love of animals and nature blossomed. She received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Moravian College. Between graduation from Moravian and beginning her veterinary studies, Dr. Marni gained hands-on experience with wildlife and exotic animals at the Lehigh Valley Zoo and a wildlife conservation center.

She attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on the island of St. Kitts where she earned her veterinary degree. After 3 years abroad, she returned to the east coast to complete her clinical year at Tufts University.

Dr. Marni gained practice experience in New Jersey in a quality AAHA accredited small animal hospital before packing up and moving to sunny California. During her first few years of veterinary medicine, Dr. Marni gained unique interests in soft tissue surgery, dentistry, ultrasonography, fear free practice, internal medicine, and pain management.

Dr. Marni enjoys spending time with her husband, her puppy Luna and Chimi, and her two cats Lottie and Ellie. In her free time, she is enthusiastic about traveling, watercolor painting, and wine tasting. She is an avid lover of the great outdoors, including hiking, snowboarding, relaxing on the beach, and everything in between.