MIDDLE CREEK’S OWNER AND HEAD VETERINARIAN
Meet Your Veterinarian,
Dr. Eliza Swan
Dr. Swan was born in Raleigh and grew up just minutes from where Middle Creek Veterinary Hospital is now located. Her mom stayed home and held down the fort for her and her two older brothers while her dad taught high school and eventually at the Soil Science Department at NC State University.
Dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, ferrets, a cockatiel, a pet pig, and many other animals were an active part of Dr. Swan’s childhood home. Being surrounded by pets as a little girl fostered her love and admiration for animals. There was no defining moment in which Dr. Swan actively decided to become a veterinarian; it was just something she always knew.
Dr. Swan has always loved music and started playing the violin when she was 11 years old. While attending college, she played the violin (and fiddle!) in the Raleigh Civic Symphony and several local bluegrass/folk bands. In her spare time, she also enjoyed casually showing her Arabian horse in local equestrian shows.
At North Carolina State University, Dr. Swan double-majored and earned two B.S. degrees: Animal Science and Biological Science with a focus on Animal Nutrition. After graduating from undergrad and being accepted into veterinary school, she thought she would pursue a career in equine medicine or pathology. However, after joining the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine’s Turtle Rescue Team, Dr. Swan discovered her passion for exotic animal species. After changing gears, she obtained her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) in 2012 with a focus on Companion (dog/cat) and Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery.
Nowadays, Dr. Swan is the owner and head veterinarian of Middle Creek Veterinary Hospital and Exotic Animal Clinic, which she purchased from another local female veterinarian in 2016. Since then, she has added and grown the treatment of exotic animals at the clinic. Today, about 50% of the total caseload of patients at Middle Creek are exotic animals of many different shapes and sizes.
We are proud to say that Dr. Swan has over 20 years of experience in the veterinary field and remains passionate about caring for all animals, no matter their species. She has had the unique experience of working with animals like servals, spider monkeys, anteaters, and kangaroos throughout her career. All the while, she stays just as committed and excited to treat her canine and feline patients.
When she’s not working, Dr. Swan may be found spending time with her human family and friends or taking care of her pet family. She is the proud mom of over 20 critters, 13 of whom live with her. Collectively, she has nicknamed them (and her home!) “The Zoo.”
Some of Dr. Swan’s more unique pets include:
- Tikaani (Inuit for wolf), a four-year-old Arctic Wolf
- Rupert, a six-year-old F2 Savannah Cat who was born blind
- Puff, a six-year-old Dogface Pufferfish, who was a famous patient at the NC State Vet School
- Lou, a 25-year-old Sulcata Tortoise who weighs over 115 pounds
- Fred, a 26-year-old Scarlet Macaw
- Jane, a 25-year-old Thoroughbred Horse
- Loretta, a five-year-old Peruvian Guinea Pig
Dr. Swan works tirelessly to provide the highest quality treatment to an ever-growing variety of animals. In the future, she envisions expanding into a larger facility while establishing Middle Creek as the leading exotic veterinary hospital in Raleigh, NC.
Meanwhile, Dr. Swan is elated to serve her hometown community’s beloved companions while living close to her incredibly supportive human family and friends.