About Us
Jackie Martin, DVM Owner
Shanae, Front Office Manager / HR
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, acupuncture and working with hobby farm animals.
In her spar
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, acupuncture and working with hobby farm animals.
In her spare time you will find her exploring the hills with her boxers Elmer and Elna.
Melanie Garbel, DVM
Shanae, Front Office Manager / HR
Jackie Martin, DVM Owner
Originally from St. Louis, Dr. Melanie Garbel moved to the Black Hills 8 years ago after graduating from the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She met her husband in vet school; he is a large animal veterinarian in the area. Together they have a daughter who also loves animals!
Dr. Garbel takes an interest in dermat
Originally from St. Louis, Dr. Melanie Garbel moved to the Black Hills 8 years ago after graduating from the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She met her husband in vet school; he is a large animal veterinarian in the area. Together they have a daughter who also loves animals!
Dr. Garbel takes an interest in dermatology and preventative care, but her niche is in orthopedics; specifically fracture repairs and TPLOs.
David Elsom, DVM
Shanae, Front Office Manager / HR
Shanae, Front Office Manager / HR
Dr. David Elsom graduated from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He first owned a veterinary practice in Mobridge, SD for 12 years before buying SVC (formerly Spearfish Animal Hospital) in 1999.
In 2008 he opened a pet cremation facility, Cremations at Lone Tree. In 2018 he opened Paws & Relax; a dog boarding and da
Dr. David Elsom graduated from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He first owned a veterinary practice in Mobridge, SD for 12 years before buying SVC (formerly Spearfish Animal Hospital) in 1999.
In 2008 he opened a pet cremation facility, Cremations at Lone Tree. In 2018 he opened Paws & Relax; a dog boarding and daycare facility. Then in 2025, Dr. Elsom sold the vet clinic and stepped back to semi-retirement.
Shanae, Front Office Manager / HR
Shanae, Front Office Manager / HR
Shanae, Front Office Manager / HR
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, visiting back home and spending time with her son and her dog and cats.
Steph, Registered VET TECH / Back Office
Steph, Registered VET TECH / Back Office
Steph, Registered VET TECH / Back Office
Steph started her career in veterinary oncology and emergency medicine while going to school in Seattle, WA. After graduating as a Veterinary Technician in 2009 she moved back to the Black Hills in 2010 and joined SVC.
Steph enjoys making memories with her family, the winter weather and the outdoor activities that come with it.
Amanda, Vet Tech
Steph, Registered VET TECH / Back Office
Steph, Registered VET TECH / Back Office
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 collecting plants and buying expensive clothing from the UK! :)
Rachael, VET TECH
Steph, Registered VET TECH / Back Office
Rachael, VET TECH
Rachael is our part-time and relief technician; you may see her when one of our technicians is on vacation or we need extra 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.
Lexi, VET TECH
Steph, Registered VET TECH / Back Office
Rachael, VET TECH
Lexi has always been passionate about animals and what better way to fulfill this passion than by working at SVC! She graduated from SDSU with degrees in animal science and wildlife and fisheries sciences.
In her free time she enjoys documenting her dogs' every waking moment, spending time outside and painting.
Hailey, Technician
Lucy, Grooming Asst.
Hailey, Technician
Sheryl, Groomer
Lucy, Grooming Asst.
Hailey, 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 Asst.
Lucy, Grooming Asst.
Lucy, Grooming Asst.
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, Front Desk
Lucy, Grooming Asst.
Lucy, Grooming Asst.
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, Front Desk
Kailynn, Kennel Staff
Harley, Kennel Staff
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
Kailynn, Kennel Staff
Harley, Kennel Staff
Kailynn, Kennel Staff
Kailynn, Kennel Staff
Kailynn, Kennel Staff
Scurvy, Kennel Staff
Kailynn, Kennel Staff
Kailynn, 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.
Welcome to Spearfish Vet!
Please note: The first Wednesday of every month we will be closed from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for a staff meeting. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.