Getting to Know PBEC Veterinarian Dr. Santiago Demierre

At first glance, Dr. Santiago Demierre appears to be a young veterinarian making a name for himself in the field of equine medicine. A closer look, however, reveals that he is not only that, but also an exceptional example of diligence; working to become an extraordinary veterinarian while speaking a second language all in a country that is 5,000 miles from his home.

Born in San Antonio de Areco, a small town in the countryside of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dr. Demierre is now a 32-year-old veterinarian working with some of the most cutting-edge medical technology in the industry at Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC) in Wellington, FL. He attended vet school at Universidad de Buenos Aires and graduated as Medico Veterinario in 2012 before setting a goal to validate his degree in the U.S. While mastering the English language, he enrolled in a program called The Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) through the American Veterinary Medicine Association and officially validated his degree in the U.S. in January of 2017.

Today, Dr. Demierre is one of 40 veterinarians on staff at PBEC, which includes six boarded specialists and over 80 technicians and staff members, making it one of the largest sport horse practices in the world.

Three things you may not know about Dr. Santiago Demierre:

1. Horses are in his blood.

Dr. Demierre: My father was a racehorse breeder and trainer, so while I was growing up I spent hours with him and the horses at the farm. I was always very interested in animals in general, not only horses, so even as a little kid I had the idea and the dream that I would be a veterinarian in order to be able to spend as much time with animals as I could. Now, I enjoy so many things about this work, but what really motivates me is the satisfaction I feel when I have a successful outcome on a case.

2.  When the opportunity came to study veterinary medicine, he picked up and moved across the world.  

Dr. Demierre: A fellow veterinarian who is a friend of mine named Dr. Eduardo Beccar Varela contacted me with his nephew Dr. Axel Beccar Varela, who is a board-certified surgeon and they offered me an externship at the clinic he was practicing at in Florida. I took that opportunity and began working in the U.S.

While here, a friend of mine, Gringo Colombres, introduced me to Dr. Scott Swerdlin, president of PBEC.  He offered me an internship at PBEC in Wellington and I am now in my fourth season there.

The team at Palm Beach Equine Clinic is made up of great veterinarians and now great friends. There is always somebody from whom you can learn something new every day. Also, it is awesome to be in contact with the world’s top equine athletes. That is what I enjoy most about being part of the team at PBEC, working on performance horse cases. Most specifically, preventing and treating lameness in sport horses.

3.  True to his Argentinian roots, he does some riding himself.

Dr. Demierre: I love being outdoors. When I am not treating patients or at the clinic, you can probably find me riding polo ponies. If I’m not there, I am either fishing, hunting, or enjoying some time off with my girlfriend.

Even after treating patients in both Argentina and North America, Dr. Demierre’s trans-continental bucket list is far from fulfilled. Next, he hopes to take the skills he has mastered at PBEC and validate his degree in Europe as well.

Want to learn more about the veterinarians of PBEC and what they have to offer your equine athlete or backyard companion horse? Visit www.equineclinic.com, or call the clinic today at 561-793-1599 to learn more.