Welcome to my corner of the web! I’m Dr. Skylar Duck (formerly Welti), and I'm delighted to have you here. Caring for animals has been my lifelong passion and purpose. With extensive experience in both emergency and primary care veterinary medicine, I am dedicated to providing compassionate support to animals and their devoted owners. Currently based near Dallas, Texas, I work as an independent locum veterinarian. At home, I share my life with my husband, Steve, and Griffin, our rescue terrier mix who brings us endless joy. I'm excited to connect with fellow animal lovers and build an online community together.
Years Of Experiences
Videos
Satisfied Clients
My passion for animals and medicine began early, influenced deeply by my veterinarian mother. Growing up, I eagerly immersed myself in every aspect of veterinary care—from cleaning cages and assisting in procedures to nurturing a variety of pets like dogs, cats, horses, goats, birds, and small mammals. Our home was a haven for animals we took in as rescues, where we cared for them until finding them loving homes.
Living on a farm in Michigan, I spent countless hours caring for our animals. My Quarter and Paint Horses were my constant companions, and together we trained extensively for equestrian competitions. Through this bond, we achieved success at both state and national levels, winning numerous championships. Additionally, I gained valuable insights into breeding purebred dogs and conformation dog shows while assisting a local breeder with Cairn Terriers and later showing my own Whippet. These experiences deepened my understanding of breed standards and enhanced my skills in canine care.
Driven by my dream of becoming a veterinarian, I pursued a rigorous academic journey. At Grand Valley State University, I majored in biology and studied advanced sciences to prepare for veterinary school. Through meticulous planning and dedication, I earned early admission to The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
During my education, I explored various facets of veterinary medicine. I gained practical experience at a white-tailed deer farm and completed an internship at an international veterinary hospital. Throughout veterinary school, I worked as an assistant at a prominent specialty hospital, rotating between all of the specialty services before managing the acupuncture and alternative medicine service. Selected for the American Veterinary Medical Association Legislative Fly-In, I traveled to Washington, D.C. to engage with lawmakers and explore the veterinary community's role in shaping animal policy. Additionally, I spent a clinical rotation working with scientists and learning about research. These experiences broadened my perspective on veterinary medicine, yet my passion for supporting pets and their families drove me to focus my career on companion animals.
My professional journey began at a leading primary care and emergency veterinary hospital in northern Virginia. There, I honed my skills in emergency medicine and provided care for a diverse range of species, including birds, reptiles, small mammals, in addition to cats and dogs. Building on this foundation, I joined a referral center as a staff emergency doctor, working closely with board-certified specialists to deliver advanced veterinary care.
In 2020, I founded Skylight Veterinary Relief Services and began working as an independent relief veterinarian, providing patient care at veterinary hospitals when regular doctors are unavailable. This role has taken me to over 40 veterinary hospitals across Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas, including nonprofit clinics, general practices, emergency hospitals, urgent care centers, and specialty referral facilities. These experiences have deepened my understanding of veterinary medicine, expanding my insight into the diverse situations and backgrounds of pets and their families.
Accessing quality healthcare for animals can be challenging due to difficulties in finding reliable information and barriers to veterinary care. My goal is to bridge this gap by providing trustworthy information and guidance, empowering you as a pet owner to make informed decisions and ensure the well-being of your beloved companion.
