Animal Center Veterinary Hospital

Dr. Liz Dagnall is a co-owner of the Animal Center Veterinary Hospital. Prior to purchasing the practice, she worked here part-time starting in 2003. A California native, she received a Masters degree in Public Health in 1986 and her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine degree in 1990 from the University of California. She has extensive experience as an emergency veterinarian. She and husband Rob Dagnall live on a ranch at Canyon Creek with “numerous” dogs and horses. They breed border collies, and she is particularly involved with training and showing Arabian horses.	Dr. Ed Newman, DVM is the other co-owner of the Animal Center. A Montana native, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in microbiology in 1977, then a Master of Science in microbiology in 1981. He married his college sweetheart Kimberly, in 1981, and worked for two years at the Montana State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. He then attended Colorado State Veterinary School and was graduated with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1987. After spending a few years practicing in California, he returned to Montana and has been at the Animal Center since 1992. Ed and Kimberly raised two sons, Kyle and Jared, both currently attending Montana State University. As a practicing veterinarian, Ed has an interest in medicine and surgery (soft tissue and orthopedic) in dogs, cats and all other small companion animals and the occasional wild animal that people sometimes bring in. When not working, Ed and his family enjoy the usual outdoor activities offered by Helena and the surrounding area—hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, skiing, etc.
Julie Kappes, DVM, is away in taking care of cats and dogs across the state. Roger has volunteered to stand in for her in a photo. Dr. Julie Kappes has served the animals of Helena for 27 years, 19 of them at the Animal Center. She earned a bachelor degree at Colorado State University and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, also at CSU, in 1983. She is especially interested in orthopedic and soft tissue surgery. She is also very active in the community, having served on the Board of Directors of the Lewis & Clark Humane Society from 1985 to 1992, and is a leading force in Spay Montana for the past 17 years, volunteering her time to spay and neuter hundreds of animals throughout the state. Dr. Kappes and her husband Kelly Kuntz are very committed to the animals of the Blackfeet Reservation, sterilizing pets and providing doghouses and food for animals in need. Julie and Kelly live with dogs Kaper and Roger (one of her rescues), seven cats, a horse, a miniature donkey and a burro.	Dr. Jillian Dougherty earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Animal Science from Texas A&M and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Mississippi State University. She has been practicing both small and large animal medicine in Helena since 2009. In addition to her work her at the Animal Center she also has a private equine practice called Dougherty Equine.
Karen Elliott is the Practice Manager. She has been with the Animal Center since April 2006 and has worked for the clinic in many capacities. Karen is a member of the Tri Arabian Horse Club and enjoys being involved in local endurance events. She volunteers with Spay Montana and occasionally travels on the weekends as a surgical technician. When Karen is not at work, riding horses or travelling, she enjoys spending time with her dog Isaac and her cats Coco and Feral Fawcett.	Diane Shute has been at the clinic for three years. She loves horses and Irish wolfhounds. She also has been trained in auto mechanics and welding, but doesn’t find much use for those skills as a vet tech.
Kiara McCurry is also a vet tech. She loves snowboarding and folf, as well as animals. She is—in her own words—awesome!	Christina Gallardo started working at the Animal Center in April 2009. She was a student at Carroll College until 2007 and started her first job at a veterinary clinic doing reception and assistant work. In early 2010 she began training to become a fulltime veterinary technician. She enjoys going out to the lake when it is warm and staying inside by the fire when it is cold. Her furry company at home includes two cuddly cats Max and Penny, and her ferret Charlie. She says, I'm grateful to have a job such as this where I can always learn new things and meet new people. And of course, help their animals.
Christine Antonia Stipich has worked as a part-time vet tech at the Animal Center for 12 years. She completed veterinarian assistant school and went to Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina to work with abandoned animals.	Keli Smith worked at the Animal Center for five years, then took a few years off. She is back now on a part-time basis, and very excited to be back. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, and riding her horse whenever possible.
Becky Dawsey has been with the Animal Center for more than 11 years. She enjoys everything in the outdoors—fishing, hunting, and working in her flower beds. She shares her home with both dogs and cats.	Chrisanne Eldridge is a transplant from Oregon to the wide open skies of Montana. She has ten years of “varied experience” in offices and retail establishments. She has worked at the Animal Center since April 2010 and is certified by Hills/Science Diet as a Veterinary Nutritional Advocate. She is married and has four active, growing children. They live with a boxer, seven cats and a turtle.
Maria Roberts is a third generation Montanan, born and raised in Kalispell. She is a U of M alumni who has worked part time at the Animal Center for more than four years. She has two cats, Rascal and Houdini.