Meet our team.

Megan Puchlerz, DVM, CRPM

Dr. Meg is a Montana native whose entire family calls the Bitterroot Valley home. She earned her veterinary degree at Oregon State University (Go Beavs!). In addition to her veterinary doctorate, she is certified in canine rehabilitation and physical medicine (PT). We even have an in-house tread mill and rehab center.

When she’s not caring for your pups, you can often find her chasing after her setters in the pursuit of upland birds. She’s a passionate advocate for the human/animal bond, sporting dogs and public lands, and regularly writes and speaks about sport dog safety.

She also loves skiing, hiking, fishing, attempting to grow a garden, and anything else that will get her outside.

Memberships:

• American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians

• Montana Veterinary Medical Association

• American Veterinary Medical Association

• International Sled Dog Veterinary Medical Association

• Pheasants Forever Member

• Montana Wildlife Federation Member

Lauren Barkley, DVM

Dr. Barkley obtained her veterinary degree from Western University in 2015 and spent the first several years of her career in emergency medicine before transitioning to general practice. This experience will help her successfully treat your pup whether you’re coming in for a routine visit or those not so routine concerns.

Though not originally from Montana, Dr. Lauren and her family plan to embrace the local lifestyle and look forward to becoming active members in our vibrant community.

She looks forward to meeting you and your canine companions!

Joseph Adrian, DVM - Visiting Surgeon

Dr. Adrian visits our hospital about every other month to perform advanced orthopedic surgeries such as TPLO’s as well as other advanced surgical procedures.

Dr. Adrian and his wife call Iowa home and have a menagerie of pets on their family farm. He attended the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine and has since attended numerous advanced CE courses and labs on orthopedic repair and advanced surgical repair.

He has primarily practiced as a traveling surgeon since 2018 and travels to Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Idaho and of course, Montana.

Kezia - Hospital Manager

Kezia is a Montana native originally from Polson where she grew up surrounded by animals. She started working in the Veterinary field over 16 years ago where her passion for animals has flourished!

Outside of work she enjoys the Montana outdoors and everything her home state has to offer. Her summers are filled with camping, hiking, floating the rivers, catering to all the demands of her cat Sebastian and riding her horses Cody and Rogue. In the winter she insists on staying warm and loves reading books, painting, embroidery and visiting local hot springs.

She finds the veterinary field extremely rewarding and her favorite moments at work are seeing a dog’s reaction when they are reunited with their owner! The incredible love a dog gives people is such an amazing thing and she can’t wait to have a dog of her own again. In the meantime, she’s happy to hand out treats to the patients coming through our doors!

Lea - Lead Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)

Lea obtained her veterinary technician education in Germany where she was born and raised. Lea has called Montana home since 2016. She then became a Licensed Veterinary Technician in 2024 in the US. She feels so fortunate to have found this beautiful place and to call it home.

In her off time, she loves exploring the mountains, lakes and nature Montana has to offer. Her dog Roy has been her hiking and adventure buddy for many years and she could not imagine being without a dog. She loves that dogs are such great companions and that they have the ability to put a smile on her face everyday!

Laura - Veterinary Technician Assistant (VTA)

Laura moved to the Bitterroot Valley with her husband in 2023 from St. Louis, MO. Through her years traveling and competing with horses she grew to love the outdoors and mountains. After meeting her husband they both realized they wanted to live the mountain life and moved with their two dogs, Tres and Ellie Mae.

Whether it was volunteering at a shelter or working at veterinary clinics, Laura knew she wanted a career helping animals. She loves spending time with her dogs taking them on hikes and swimming. If she isn’t throwing the ball for her dogs she is cooking up a new recipe or rooting for her alma mater Oklahoma State!

Heather - Veterinary Technician Assistant (VTA)

Heather moved to Montana from Massachusetts in 2014 with her now teenaged daughter. She loves to spend time outdoors hiking, fishing and exploring. She feels Montana is the absolute best place to get lost in.

She's had a passion for animals all her life, and has been working with them professionally for the past 4 years. In her previous career she helped rescues find their forever homes and finds it amazingly rewarding to continue to work in the animal field.

Her dogs are one of the best parts of her life, and she feels there are things you get from the silent, devoted companionship of a dog that you can't get anywhere else. She loves the quote, "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than they love themselves."

Chloe - Veterinary Technician Assistant (VTA)

Chloe was born and raised in Montana and she knew from the time she was just a kid that she wanted to work with animals. Chloe grew up doing 4-H and FFA where she was able to raise her own animals. After high school she continued her education through Pima medical institute and become a certified veterinary technician assistant. She loves working with dogs and being able to make a difference for them even if they can’t recognize it!

Kayla - Client Service Coordinator (CSC)

Kayla has been working with dogs professionally for 15 years. She ran a large scale boarding/training facility for dogs in Southern California before moving here in 2017. Shortly after, she started her journey into the veterinary world in Missoula, where she worked at various primary care vet offices, then Sentinel Emergency Hospital for a few years before moving back to Hamilton.

If Kayla’s not running around having fun with her daughters, you can find her training, exercising and prepping enrichment activities for her four active dogs and pet sitting around town.