1321 N 27th Street, Billings, MT 59101
directions email us
phone: 406-245-4772    fax: 406-248-4740
Emergencies: 406-245-4772

About Us

Circle of Life Animal Wellness Center is a full-service veterinary medical facility, located in Billings, Montana. Formerly Heath Veterinary Hospital, the Center was recently remodeled in 2002 and in 2008 was purchased by Dr. Best.

Our Veterinarians

Dr. Edie R Best, DVM, DABVP

Dr. Edie Best received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Montana State University in 1990. In 1995, she graduated with honors from Colorado State University with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. She then became a board certified Diplomate in the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) in 2003. She is certified in Canine and Feline Practice. The ABVP represents a group of veterinarians who have demonstrated exceptional knowledge, skill and competency in the care of the "total patient". The rigorous certification process must be repeated every 10 years to maintain these high standards. Dr. Best's practice interests include oncology, cardiology, reproduction, internal medicine and ultrasound. In January 2008, Dr. Best purchased Circle of Life Animal Wellness Center and is thoroughly enjoying practice ownership. She has done some redecorating and is adding some exciting new services and features to the practice. Edie and her husband, Les, have 2 dogs, 3 cats and 3 horses. Outside of work, Edie enjoys hiking, reading and watching Minnesota Vikings football!

Dr. Jean Allbright, DVM, MBA

Dr. Allbright received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Washington State University in 1974. In addition, she holds an MBA from the University of Montana, obtained in 1993. Her areas of special interest include behavioral science, acupuncture, chiropractic, and surgery. In 2000, she attended Colorado State University for training in Veterinary Acupuncture, and again in 2001 for Veterinary Chiropractic training. Dr. Allbright has three dogs in town, many cats, and several horses. She enjoys horseback riding, specifically training level dressage. She has Quarter Horses and New Forest ponies and has raised several foals in the last 5 years. Dr. Allbright bakes the home-made liver cookies that are "served" daily at the hospital and are a favorite of many of the canine patients.

Dr. Letha Stimpson

Dr. Letha Stimpson attended Montana State University prior to attending Colorado State University where she received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1985. Dr. Stimpson worked in Limon, Colorado before returning to Montana and co-owning a mixed animal practice in Absarokee for 19 years. She joined the staff at Circle of Life in 2005 as a part-time veterinarian. She enjoys the variety of cases, as well as working with the wonderful clients and staff here at the clinic.

In 2006, she married Clint Stimpson and now lives on a ranch west of Rapelje. Dr. Stimpson grew up on a ranch and enjoys working with livestock and horses as well as dogs and cats. Besides enjoying being a rancher and veterinarian, she enjoys numerous other activities like hiking, cooking, and yoga.

Our Technicians

Holly, Certified Veterinary Technician

Holly has 2 dogs, a yellow lab named Cooper, and a Boxer mix named Maggie. She likes to take Frank, the clinic cat, for walks on his harness. She likes to hike, snow ski, and fish.

Elizabeth, Certified Veterinary Technician

Liz has worked at Circle of Life for 5 years. She recently passed her Certified Veterinary Technician test and has been certified for a little over a year! She has 5 furry family members along with her soon to be husband Karsten. Hank and Tallulah are dachshunds, Troy the extremely intelligent blue heeler, and Harley and Corey Cheetoh the orange kitties who often are found playing in kitty town. She enjoys walking the dogs and taking Troy to agility and manners classes. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Cynthia, Certified Veterinary Technician

Cynthia has been working as a veterinary technician since July 2000. She has a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry Education and she became a Certified Veterinary Technician in 2006. Her pet family includes Jake, a Chow Chow, Dawson, an Australian Cattle Dog, Kelley, a Schnauzer mix, Joaquin and Joey, both Chihuahuas, and a Mollucan Cockatoo named Gabriel. Outside of work Cynthia enjoys hiking and taking nature photographs.

Our Receptionists

Michelle

Shelly has been at Circle of Life for 7 1/2 years. She has 1 dog, Buddy, and 3 cats, Cali Jennifer, Captain B. Roo, and Reggie. She spends most of her time running after her 2 teenage daughters and their sports. She and her husband John own JM Livestock & Trucking, which also takes up much of their time.

Shannon

Shannon enjoys working with clients of Circle of Life. She has a Border Collie/Great Pyrenees dog whose motto is "It's not easy being a princess!!" She has a Pit Bull Cross who is an avid hiker with his girls at Circle of Life. Her bird dog is a German Wirehair Pointer who loves to carry her stuffed toys around and wear her hoodie sweatshirts while she hunts with her friend, Capri. She also acquired a Great Pyrenees who is afraid of sheep, therefore has completed his testing to become a therapy dog! Her newest pup is another Pit Bull cross who is adorable and looks a lot like the first one! He is fitting in well with her wonderful dog family!

Diane

Diane has worked at Circle of Life, formerly Heath Veterinary Hospital, for twenty-nine years. Over the years she has worked in a variety of areas including kennels, assisting with animals, receptionist, and now bookkeeping, filing and payroll. Diane is married to Gordon and they have three sons, two daughters-in-law and two grandsons. Her family also includes four border collies, one cat, a macaw, three horses, sheep, angora goats, and chickens. Diane enjoys riding in the mountains, fishing, hunting, and working around her ten acre ranchette, but most of all, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Melissa

Melissa has enjoyed working at Circle of Life for the past two years. She stays busy chasing her two children, four dogs and two cats. In her spare time she enjoys spending time at the family cabin and four-wheeling with family and friends.

Our Assistants

Capri

Capri has eleven years of experience working in veterinary hospitals. She enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, riding horses and hiking. She has a horse named Petunia, a cat named Tucker, who thinks his mom is a tree; and her newest addition is Spook, the toilet paper shredder Halloween cat! She is also co-owner and "Mama Capri" to Jed, a black lab that lives with Melissa. She loves Pepsi and loves to rescue hound dogs.

Our Kennel Attendant

Beth

Beth works at Circle of Life in one of the most important positions – Kennel Attendant. She also works at St. Vincent Healthcare as an exercise physiologist. She feels very fortunate to have two jobs that she absolutely loves! At home Beth lives with her 2 sons, Kyle and Jake; 2 kitties Ben and Jack; and 3 dogs, Ozzie a dachshund cross, Tex the Boston Terrier and Zeke an Australian Shepherd.

Our Feline Administrator

Francis Patrick McCracken O'Reilly

Frank was brought to Circle of Life in October 2003 as a stray kitten with his blue-eyed brother. His brother was adopted and soon after, our staff members realized that Frank drank more water than normal. Our doctors performed tests that led to his diagnosis with polycystic kidneys. Due to his medical condition, we were unable to place him in a home, so he became our hospital cat. Since we kept the little rascal, we had to give him a proper name. His full name is Francis Patrick McCracken O'Reilly. He continues to receive fluid therapy and routine blood testing to monitor his condition and he is doing very well. He blesses us each day with his antics and companionship. At night, he resides in a two-bedroom condo in the kennel area. He has free-range of the clinic during the day and loves to play hide-and-seek, "attack the leash" and sleep! His hobbies include harness-walking outside, rolling in the dirt and eating bugs!


Staff photos by Gone to The Dogs, www.blackdoggie.com

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