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!

Sadly Dr. Best's family suffered an extreme loss of their friend Emmy at the beginning of the new year. Emmy was a loyal companion to The Best family for 13 years. We all greatly miss her kind and gentle soul. However, they do have a new addition to their home! Little Mardi, a spit-fire of an Australian Cattle Dog, has happily joined her new family. Mardi came to live with her new friends on March 30th. Although times have been trying, she is an extremely intelligent addition!

Dr. Heidi Stricker, DVM, PhD

Dr. Heidi Stricker received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Zoology from the University of Oklahoma in 2000. She then entered the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences with the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center where she carried out research on genetic eye diseases. She received her Doctorate degree in Molecular Cell Biology in 2005. Shortly following, she entered Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences where she conducted research at the Lung Biology and Toxicology Laboratory and worked as a technician at the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostics laboratory while concurrently pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine. Dr. Stricker graduated with her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in May of 2009 and now joins Circle of Life Animal Wellness Center as an associate veterinarian. Dr. Stricker made the move from Oklahoma to be close to family. When she is not at the clinic, she enjoys riding horses in the mountains, camping, singing karaoke and spending quality time with her two dogs.

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 been working as a vet tech since November 2002. She has an Associate in Science Degree and became a Certified Veterinary Technician in 2006. She has 5 furry family members. Hank and Tallulah the weiner dogs, Troy the extremely intelligent Blue Heeler, Charlie the goofy Doberman, and Cheetoh the orange kitty. She 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 has worked in the veterinary field since August of 2000. She has 4 adorable children who are the loves of her life. She has a Border Collie/Great Pyrenees cross whose motto is "It's not easy being a princess!!" Her bird dog is a German Wirehaired Pointer who loves to carry her stuffed toys around and wear her hoodie sweatshirts while she hunts with her friend, Capri! Her largest child is a Great Pyrenees who is afraid of sheep, but is the king of holding down the bed. Her sweet baby boy is a Pit Bull mix who is a true Mama's boy! She loves hiking with her friends and landscaping at her new house.

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.

Tahina

Tahina worked as a veterinary hospital receptionist for 4 years in Washington State. She recently relocated to Montana in the fall of 2008 to join the Circle of Life team! Working with clients and their pets remains the most rewarding aspect of animal health to her. Outside of work, her hobbies include any outdoor activity she can enjoy with her 4-legged children; Toby, a timid Toy Fox Terrier; Mable, a high-spirited Golden Retriever; Manni, a mischievous Wheaten Terrier cross; and LaRoux, the "never-does-wrong-in-her-parent's-eyes" Shepherd mix.

Exciting News! Tahina is expecting her first child August 12th, 2010 and is having a baby boy.

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 Attendants

Shannon Sheridan

Shannon likes to hunt, fish, camp and do anything outdoors, especially riding her 2 big quarter horses named Teton and Moe. She has a llama named Clyde, a tabby cat named Olive, and a yellow lab named Sid who loves to hunt birds and swim. She also does a bit of volunteer work for the Al-Bedoo Shrine Black Horse Patrol.

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

© 2010 Copyright Circle of Life Animal Wellness Center. All rights reserved. Veterinary Website by Beyond Indigo Pets