About Us
Jackie Martin, DVM Owner
Shanae HR & Front Office Manager
Jackie Martin, DVM Owner
Dr. Martin graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and practiced in Iowa for several years before relocating to Spearfish. In 2025 she purchased the clinic from Dr. David Elsom.
Dr. Jackie enjoys general medicine, surgery, ultrasonography and echocardiograms, acupuncture and working with hobby farm ani
Dr. Martin graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and practiced in Iowa for several years before relocating to Spearfish. In 2025 she purchased the clinic from Dr. David Elsom.
Dr. Jackie enjoys general medicine, surgery, ultrasonography and echocardiograms, acupuncture and working with hobby farm animals.
In her spare time you will find her gardening or exploring the hills with her boxers Elmer and Elna.
Melanie Garbel, DVM
Shanae HR & Front Office Manager
Jackie Martin, DVM Owner
Originally from St. Louis, Dr. Melanie Garbel moved to the Black Hills after graduating from the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She joined Spearfish Veterinary Clinic in 2024.
Dr. Garbel enjoys preventative care and developing a relationship with her clients and their pets. However, her niche is in orthopedics and
Originally from St. Louis, Dr. Melanie Garbel moved to the Black Hills after graduating from the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She joined Spearfish Veterinary Clinic in 2024.
Dr. Garbel enjoys preventative care and developing a relationship with her clients and their pets. However, her niche is in orthopedics and mobility/pain management. She routinely performs TPLOs, fracture repairs and joint injections, all aimed at providing the highest quality procedures to fit the needs of each individual pet.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, and their small herd of animals at home!
David Elsom, DVM
Shanae HR & Front Office Manager
Shanae HR & Front Office Manager
Dr. David Elsom graduated from the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He first owned a veterinary practice in Mobridge, SD for 12 years before buying Spearfish Vet Clinic (formerly known as Spearfish Animal Hospital) in 1999.
In 2008 he opened a pet cremation facility, Cremations at Lone Tree and in 2018 he opened Pa
Dr. David Elsom graduated from the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He first owned a veterinary practice in Mobridge, SD for 12 years before buying Spearfish Vet Clinic (formerly known as Spearfish Animal Hospital) in 1999.
In 2008 he opened a pet cremation facility, Cremations at Lone Tree and in 2018 he opened Paws & Relax; a dog boarding and daycare facility. Then in 2025, Dr. Elsom sold the vet clinic to Dr. Martin and stepped back to semi-retirement.
Shanae HR & Front Office Manager
Shanae HR & Front Office Manager
Shanae HR & Front Office Manager
Shanae is a Wyoming native who enrolled in the Veterinary Technology program in Torrington and worked at a local veterinary hospital. She made a move to the Black Hills and joined our team at Spearfish Veterinary Clinic in 2020.
Shanae enjoys attempting to keep plants alive, concerts, visiting back home and spending time with her son and her dog and cats.
Steph RegistereD VETerinary TECHnician
Hailey Veterinary Technician
Steph RegistereD VETerinary TECHnician
Steph began her career in veterinary emergency medicine and oncology while going to school in Seattle, WA. After graduating as a Licensed Veterinary Technician she moved back home to the Black Hills and joined SVC in 2010.
Steph enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, the winter weather and the outdoor activities that come with it.
Amanda Veterinary Assistant
Hailey Veterinary Technician
Steph RegistereD VETerinary TECHnician
Amanda graduated from National American University and joined Spearfish Veterinary Clinic in 2019.
On the side, Amanda also manages Dr. Elsom's pet cremation business, Cremations at Lone Tree.
Amanda enjoys hiking with her dogs, loving on her cats, collecting plants and going to concerts.
Rachael VETerinary technician
Hailey Veterinary Technician
Hailey Veterinary Technician
Rachael is our part-time and relief help. She graduated in 2002 in Michigan and started working at Spearfish Veterinary Clinic in 2005.
When she's not at the clinic she's tending to her children, chickens, cats, dogs, flowers and crafting.
Hailey Veterinary Technician
Hailey Veterinary Technician
Hailey Veterinary Technician
A seasoned vet tech, Hailey moved to the area from Arizona and joined SVC. She loves small and large animal medicine and performs equine fascial integration therapy on the side.
Hailey is currently training in to become Dr. Garbel's surgery assistant for her TPLO procedures.
Hailey enjoys hiking, ATVing and exploring the Black Hills with her fiance and their pup, Jessi Mae.
MESA Veterinary Technician
MESA Veterinary Technician
MESA Veterinary Technician
Sheryl Groomer
MESA Veterinary Technician
MESA Veterinary Technician
Sheryl is a retired music teacher who started as a groomer's assistant in 2010 and has blossomed into a very talented groomer herself. Her always positive attitude, kind spirit and patience helps keep our visitors comfortable while they're in for their spa days.
Sheryl enjoys the outdoors, traveling and time with her family.
Lucy Grooming Assistant
MESA Veterinary Technician
Jodi RECEPTIONIST
Lucy is a retired teacher from Custer who relocated to the Spearfish area.
Lucy loves the outdoors, people and especially, animals. Like Sheryl, her patience and calm demeanor are traits so beneficial for our visitors.
We also love how regularly spoiled we are with treats!
Jodi RECEPTIONIST
MESA Veterinary Technician
Jodi RECEPTIONIST
Jodi was one of our long-time clients until we had an opening and gladly welcomed her to our team! Jodi has a heart of gold and a soft touch that makes clients feel welcome and cared about in our clinic.
In her free time she loves spending it with her pups, Franklin and Bowie and golfing with her husband.
Kryss Receptionist
Kryss Receptionist
Kryss Receptionist
Kryss grew up in the Black Hills and graduated from BHSU in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree.
She enjoys plying outside, going to concerts, and eating cheese. She is admittedly obsessed with her dog Sequoia (aka Koi Bear, Truffle Pig, Princess Kitty or Demon Rat) and spends her free time bothering her as much as possible.
It's also
Kryss grew up in the Black Hills and graduated from BHSU in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree.
She enjoys plying outside, going to concerts, and eating cheese. She is admittedly obsessed with her dog Sequoia (aka Koi Bear, Truffle Pig, Princess Kitty or Demon Rat) and spends her free time bothering her as much as possible.
It's also highly likely Kryss will ask to pet your dog when you're visiting SVC!
Harley Kennel Staff
Kryss Receptionist
Kryss Receptionist
Kailynn Kennel Staff
Kryss Receptionist
Scurvy Kennel Staff
Scurvy Kennel Staff
Kryss Receptionist
Scurvy Kennel Staff
Preferably known only by his nickname "Scurvy," he has been with the vet clinic since 2013 and keeps a close watch on our kennel visitors during evenings.
He's always willing to lend a helping hand where he needs to and always checks in with our technicians whenever he has a concern after hours. And don't forget the comedic relief he pr
Preferably known only by his nickname "Scurvy," he has been with the vet clinic since 2013 and keeps a close watch on our kennel visitors during evenings.
He's always willing to lend a helping hand where he needs to and always checks in with our technicians whenever he has a concern after hours. And don't forget the comedic relief he provides!
In his spare time, he enjoys carving beautiful bowls out of wood and eating burritos at Guadalajara.