Welcome

"I always wanted to be a vet!"

It's the phrase veterinarians hear repeatedly whether they're chatting with a strangers in a crowded airport or welcoming a new client into their clinic. There's something about the profession that sparks curiosity and admiration, a shared dream that often opens the door to fascinating conversations. Hell, I’ve even had human doctors tell me they wanted to be a veterinarian while I was sitting in their office!

Early on in my childhood, I too, knew that I wanted to be a veterinarian (except for that short stint I wanted to be a human doctor, but ewww, humans are gross). Growing up on a small farm provided me with experiences with a variety of animals, all of which fueled my passion to become the animal doctor I always wanted to be. Over the years, we raised everything from cows and horses to pigs, chickens, quail, and rabbits. Some of my fondest memories are of bottle-feeding baby calves and watching their tiny tails wag as they nuzzled in for a meal. There’s something about those moments, memories and experiences that, unlike anything else, makes farm life unforgettable.

Working with a 2-year-old mare and feeding horses prior to moving to Montana for college.

Fast forward a few years and before I knew it I had those three letters behind my name, DVM. I was on my way to Montana to become a mixed-animal veterinarian. Mixed-animal medicine is my passion; no two days are the same. Many mornings start with small animal spays and neuters. Often, the rest of the day is filled with vaccinations, urgent care appointments, and/or emergencies. In just one day, I’ve brought a calf into the world through a C-section, stitched up a resilient young horse’s laceration, administered vaccines to the cutest litter of puppies, and tackled a foreign body surgery to save a brave dog in need! On other days, you’ll find me out on the ranch, working hands-on with cattle and navigating the unpredictability of the open range. Again, no two days are the same and every moment is an adventure in animal care.

Feeding orphaned lambs during a lambing rotation in my 4th year of veterinary school.

Oftentimes in large-animal medicine, my office stretches far beyond the four walls of the clinic into open fields, rugged ranches, and sprawling pastures. There’s something refreshing and invigorating about working with animals outdoors; the warmth of the sun on your face balanced by the crisp, cool breeze (or let’s be real, the wind rips through South Central Montana!). Then there are days I am grateful to have back-to-back small animal appointments keeping me indoors when it is -22 F outside with 40+ mph winds. The variety of animals and appointment types provided by mixed animal medicine keeps me on our toes.

No matter the size of the animal, I am passionate about helping clients understand how to care for their pets all the way to livestock. Through these blog posts, we aim to share practical health tips, updates on animal news, deeper insights into the services we provide, and relevant stories that resonate with pet owners. If there’s a topic you’d like to learn more about, we’d love to hear from you!

The hills north of Big Timber, MT looking towards the Crazy Mountains, a common office view.