Having served the pets of the citizens of Billings for the past 30 years, Dr. Edie Best, DVM, DABVP, CVMA came to a fork in the road – to retire or go for the dream?

She is going for the dream, the ground breaking was held on July 3 at 1616 1st Avenue North. “Why not?” said Best in speaking to the friends and clients and dignitaries who gathered to celebrate the new facility for Billings Animal Family Hospital. It’s a dream come true for Best, who said that her clients and their pets, as well as her staff, deserve it.

Best and a team of financial, architectural and construction supporters have been working on that dream for the past four or five years. With construction now underway, it is expected to open in the spring of 2026.

Best purchased Billings Animal Family Hospital in 2008, with the goal of providing a greater level of personal care for pets and their entire family.  “. . . I hope that a lot of my clients would attest to that, we try to treat you like family,” said Best, who views her business as one big family, of whom many were in attendance at the groundbreaking with their pets in tow.

Best noted that their location at 1321N. 27th Street in Billings is cramped; it doesn’t have great street visibility and parking is limited. My team and clients deserve the new clinic, declared Best.

Mike Burke of HGF Architects, who designed the new clinic, praised Best for pursuing “her vision,” adding that it will be “a great addition for downtown. Customers deserve it, the city deserves it and Edie deserves it,” he said.

The Billings Animal Family Hospital is being whole heartedly welcomed into “The Bird” — The East Billings Urban Renewal District (BIRD), a TIF district that serves the area from downtown Billings to MetraPark. The clinic, in fact, received $475,000 in tax-increment financing dollars for the project.   

Best also thanked Big Sky Economic Development for their assistance in getting financing through the US Small Business Administration.

“There is so much potential for this part of town,” said Best.

The new location will have high visibility from 1st Avenue North, as well as provide ample parking. Th clinic will be state-of-art, larger, plus waiting rooms, additional exam rooms, and upgraded facilities.

Best also announced that they will be partnering with Rocky Vista’s proposed new veterinary clinic, providing an opportunity for training for third and fourth year students. She stressed how important the new school will be, given the shortage of veterinarians that exists in Montana.

Best also recognized some of her staff including Dr. Sarah Bruggman, Associate Veterinarian & Medical Director; Dr. Esther Musselman, Associate Veterinarian, and Dr. Mark Albrecht, Orthopedic Surgeon.

Best was born in Hardin, Montana where she grew up on her family’s cattle farm. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Montana State University and graduated with honors from Colorado State University with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Best and her husband, Les, have two dogs, four barn cats, and two old horses.

Best is dedicating the new clinic to all pets, including her deceased pets.