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About the Bozeman Animal Medical Center

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Dr. Barrows opened Animal Medical Center in 1992 to offer comprehensive veterinary services for household pets including exotics in a convenient downtown location. Her practice was founded on her special interest in avian and reptile medicine. While dogs and cats make up a large percentage of our business, every veterinarian at Animal Medical Center treats one type of exotic pet or another. Our support staff are trained in the handling, treatment and nursing of everything from Great Danes, large Macaws and iguanas to young kittens and miniature hamsters.

Meet Our Staff

Doctors
Management
Technicians
Vet Assistants
Front Office Assistants

The human-animal bond is very powerful. We are energized by people who have a strong connection to animals. We make bringing joy to them by helping their pets our personal mission.

Dr. Barrows performs a surgery, Julie does a dental on a poodle, and Laura takes blood pressure from a brown lab in this colage


Doctors

Susan Z. Barrows, DVM
Practice Owner

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In 1992, Dr. Barrows simultaneously opened AMC and founded the Bozeman non-profit organization known today as the Montana Raptor Conservation Center. Dr. Barrows attributes her keen interest in veterinary medicine and exotics to her upbringing in a household full of orphaned wild animals and stray dogs and cats in Connecticut. Her veterinary preceptorship at the University of Minnesota Raptor Center and the New York Bronx Zoo further fueled her passion for avian and exotic animal medicine. She loves the teamwork fostered in a clinical setting and the challenge of diagnosing and treating illnesses in all household pets. Dr. Barrows graduated from Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984 and was hired there as a Laboratory Animal Clinician.  She founded the Iowa State Wildlife Care Clinic and taught raptor and wildlife medicine to vet students. In 1987, Dr. Barrows moved to Bozeman with her husband Rick, a fish nutritionist, their son and German Shorthair Pointers.  Today, she has two sons, a Pug named Yogi Barrows, a Griffon named Zeke, saltwater fish and numerous horses. Horseback riding and packing, scuba diving, fishing, photography, and playing guitar are her favorite pastimes.

Dr. Barrows is a member of several professional organizations including:  the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Montana Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, the Association of Avian Veterinarians, and the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians. 

 


Eric Klaphake, DVM, DABVP, DACZM
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Diplomate, American College of Zoological Medicine

Diplomate, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Avian)

Dr. Klaphake (pronounced "Claw Paw Key") moved to Bozeman in 2006 and has been in practice for over ten years. His previous practice experience includes work at the Columbus Zoo, Knoxville Zoo, University of Tennessee and all-exotic animal practices in both Columbus, Ohio, and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Dr. Klaphake also provides veterinary care for ZooMontana in Billings. He is involved in several local wildlife research projects, including studies involving wolverines of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem through the Wildlife Conservation Society and lesser scaup (duck) migration and nesting research in association with an MSU research project.

A 1997 Kansas State University graduate, he is a board-certified zoo medicine (ACZM) and bird specialist (ABVP). He is currently the president of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians and has been an active member of that organization for many years. Other organizations he is a member of include: the Association of Avian Veterinarians, the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, the Wildlife Disease Association, and the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians. He recently accepted a post as Associate Editor for Review Articles in the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery.

His pastimes include spending time with his wife Jessi and son Xavier Ursus, photography, snowboarding, hiking and other outdoor activities. Two Indian star tortoises, a Mexican mountain kingsnake, a maroon-bellied conure and a budgerigar (parakeet) complete the family.

Eric Wood - DVM
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Dr. Wood, a native of Rhode Island, went to Montana State University after working in Yellowstone National Park and later graduated from Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006.  After graduation, he completed a year of small animal clinical practice in Connecticut where he fostered special interests in orthopedic surgery, ophthalmology, oncology and feline medicine.  He thoroughly enjoys every aspect of veterinary medicine and is looking forward to further developing and enhancing his medical skills with exotic and avian patients.  He is a current member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Montana Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners.

While on the east coast, he missed the beautiful country and great fishing in Montana, but what he missed most were the people. Having joined Animal Medical Center in August 2007, he is enjoying meeting new clients and patients alike and is extremely excited to be back in the Bozeman area. His pastimes include fishing, skiing, camping,  racquetball and spending time with his wife Erika, daughters Hannah and Piper and the family pets - Sorcha the dog and Pirate the cat.

Management
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Diane Grant -
Practice Manager

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Diane Grant became a member of AMC’s team in February 2007. Prior to coming to Bozeman, she worked as a senior buyer at SNC-Lavalin Thermal Power and as a Human Resources Manager at Osborne Construction Company in the greater Seattle, Washington area. She also spent over twenty years working for a public utility as a liaison between the corporate power plants, coal mining operations and various modes-of-transportation contractors (rail, truck, conveyor belt, etc) at PacifiCorp (Pacific Power & Light/Utah Power & Light) in Centralia, Washington; Portland, Oregon and Salt Lake City, Utah. Diane’s interests include genealogy, writing, needle work, and spending time with her husband, Alan, and their five-toed cat, George Townsend and Milo Hathaway III.


Martha – Hospital Manager/Vet Assistant
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office staff


Martha is a jack-of-all-trades. She is an Assistant to the Doctors, performs many laboratory and other diagnostic tests, manages schedules and keeps the hospital running smoothly. Prior to her employment at AMC, Martha graduated from MSU with a degree in Animal Science. Like many of the staff members, she appreciates the unconditional love animals have for people. Born and raised on a farm in central Montana, Martha now lives in Bozeman with her ferrets, Brett and Shane. She also has cows, a dog, Jake, and a cat, D-Con, at her parent’s home. Her favorite pastimes are reading, cross-stitching, watching TV (Duke basketball, Packers football and the series Firefly are her favorites) and attending NASCAR races. A memorable event for her was attending her first NASCAR race (which was held on her birthday) and seeing Dale Earnhardt win.

Tiffany -
Front Office Manager

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Tiffany graduated from MSU-Billings with a degree in Psychology. After graduation, she became involved in the veterinary field as a kennel attendant at a clinic in Miles City. She joined AMC in July of 2004. Tiffany and her husband have a Corgi - Cabo, and a cat- Emmy. Her hobbies include scrapbooking and photography. She has a photography business as well. She is also the Secretary of the Galloping Dog Agility Club. Tiffany enjoys AMC's clients and appreciates their willingness to do anything for their pets.

Technicians

Julie - Certified Vet Technician
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Julie Todd holds a black kitten


Julie graduated from MSU with her Nursing degree in 1994. She practiced as an R.N. in Seattle and on Cape Cod. Eight years later she graduated from Bel-Rea Institute with a degree in Veterinary Technology and began working at AMC, in November 2002. When asked what sparked her interest in being a Vet Tech Julie kiddingly remarks that she prefers cat litter boxes over human bed pans. She finds her nurses training a perfect complement to her work with animal patients. She respects and admires the dedication and unconditional love people have for their pets. Julie shares her home with her dog, Millie. She loves spending time with her family, watching movies and skiing.

Laura – Vet Technician/
Inventory Manager

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Laura joined the Animal Medical Center in 2003 starting as an Assistant to the Doctors and the front office staff. She is now performing as a Technician and manages the hospital’s inventory. She is also currently working towards her technician certification through an accredited distance learning program. Laura grew up in the Midwest and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, with an emphasis in Animal Behavior, at Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. While in college she was involved in wildlife rehabilitation programs and the Wolf Research Team before starting an internship at a small animal veterinary clinic where she developed a passion for animal medicine. She moved to Montana because of a love for the region’s natural beauty and fantastic fishing and snowboarding. She has two adopted cats, Nermal and Carl, and rescued an abused Siberian husky, Madeline, along with a Shar Pei mix, Nanook, who have become excellent hiking companions.

Noah – Vet Technician
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Noah Lindgren and his dog Ed


Prior to joining AMC in May 2007, Noah worked as a Veterinary Technician for eight years in Durango, Colorado; he was also a sled dog guide there. In 2005, he spent several weeks capturing and treating stranded animals in Mississippi and Louisiana in the wake of hurricane Katrina. He is thrilled to be working here in Bozeman with exotic animals and the occasional wildlife client. Noah graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Graphic Design from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. His hobbies include biking, photography and hiking with his best friend “Ed”, a 7-year old Border Collie.  

Vet Assistants

Randi– Vet Assistant
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Randi Giddings sits with her cat Twinkle Toes


Randi began working at Animal Medical Center in April 2009. She grew up on a ranch near Deer Lodge, MT and graduated from MSU with a degree in Philosophy and History. She is currently going to college with hopes of getting into veterinary school.  Most of her time is spent studying, working, interning and volunteering.  In her free time she likes to garden, cook and play in the mountains around the Gallatin Valley.   Randi and her husband have two cats, Fuzzybottom and Twinkletoes, and a conure named Pazoozoo.

Michelle –Vet Assistant
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Michelle Abrams holds a white cat

Michelle joined the team at Animal Medical Center, in mid-February, as a Veterinary Assistant.  Prior to AMC she worked for several veterinary hospitals and an emergency veterinary clinic in the Chicago, Illinois area.  Michelle has four cats:  Stimpy, Mister, Bubba and Sassy and 2 dogs: Matilda and Natasha.  She enjoys hiking with her dogs in her free time and gardening.  Michelle does an excellent job of managing the care of our boarded on Sundays and is here assisting doctors during the week.

Carmen –Vet Assistant
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Carmen joined Animal Medical Center in August of 2009.  She grew up in Southern Africa where her fascination grew for animals, both wildlife and domestic, and where she hopes to return someday to work for those animals.  Carmen attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where her studies focused on Theatre Arts and Political Science.  Though taking a different turn in her career towards animal care and animal behavior studies, she spends all her other moments studying and celebrating the performing and visual arts.  Prior to coming to AMC she worked as a Kennel Manager at a vet hospital in Livingston.  Her faithful followers at home include eight beagles (Analise, Alley McBeagle, Grey Owl, Bongo, Cherub, Griffin, Shiloh and Megaera), two cats (Jasper and Sushi Nori), four rabbits (Festus, Snoopy, Lizzie and Bocaccio), an assortment of game birds and several thousand fish".

Lana – Front Office Assistant
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Lana joined AMC’s team in August 2009, as a Front Office Assistant.  She grew up on her family’s Charolais Cattle Ranch near Lindsay, in eastern Montana .  She attended Dawson Community College , in Glendive, graduating with an Associates Degree in Agriculture Business.  She then went on to MSU to pursue a degree in Animal Science Livestock Management.  Lana has two new little kittens, Tallulah and Matilda.  She spends her free time working on the family ranch, traveling, shopping and spending time with her family; especially her nieces and nephews.

Cady – Front Office Assistant
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Cady joined AMC’s team in late May.  Her previous experience included working as an Animal Caretaker at MSU Marsh Lab as well as various other customer service positions.  She is currently attending MSU where she will graduate in December 2008 with a degree in Organismal Biology; her plans are to attend graduate school after that.  She has always loved science and hopes to go into the medical field someday.   Cady has one cat, Daisy and enjoys playing basketball in her free time.  Her bright smile and love of animals makes her a great addition in our front office.

Ronald-"Hospital Cat"
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Ronald the hospital cat sits with his fresh mohawk haircut


Ronald joined the AMC staff in January
2008. He was adopted by AMC after his
family could not care for him anymore.
Ronald's duties at AMC include boosting
staff morale and looking adorable as
resident kitty. In his "free time" Ronald
enjoys: sun bathing, eating, sleeping and
indulging in catnip. Ronald has a passion
for fashion. He shows this by sporting a stylin' mohawk and a diamond studded "R"
bling necklace. He has quite the cat-titude,
especially after being published in November's Butler supply catalog.