Meet the Team

Dr. Mary Buhman

Veterinarian, Owner

Dr. Mary Buhman is a South Dakota native and a graduate of Hill City High School. She received her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Minnesota-Morris. Dr. Buhman then attended the University of Minnesota where she received a Bachelors in Veterinary Science with Distinction and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1991.

After Dr. Mary’s graduation from veterinary school, she moved to Rock Springs, WY, where she worked as an associate for 4 years before purchasing the practice. In 2008, she moved back to South Dakota where she worked as an associate. In 2013, Dr. Buhman purchased Meiners Animal Clinic. Dr. Buhman has 3 children and 2 grandchildren. She also enjoys photography and gardening. If you have spoken with her, you will have heard about her golden retrievers and her cats with special needs. Dr. Buhman enjoys practicing small animal medicine and also working with exotics. The passion for exotics was cultivated during her 5 summers working at the Great Plains Zoo & Museum in Sioux Falls, SD while she was an undergraduate. She has treated rabbits, ferrets, small mammals as well as a variety of reptiles and amphibians. Having had the company of many personal and clinic animals over the years, Dr. Buhman has also experienced many of the medical and surgical conditions as her clients. Dr. Buhman hopes that pets are able to receive veterinary care in a kind, compassionate environment coupled with knowledge and experience.

Dr. Sheila MacLaughlin

Associate Veterinarian

Nicole

Technician

Nicole grew up in Sturgis, graduating from Sturgis Brown High School. After graduating, she was accepted into the veterinary technology program at NAU. Nicole started working at Meiners Animal Clinic in 2012 while in school. She received her Associates of Applied Sciences degree in Veterinary Technology in May 2014.

Nicole has 3 pets: a Persian cat named Theodore, a rescue cat Violet, and a heeler named Dally.. In her spare time, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family, camping/fishing, playing softball or just being home with her husband and son. What Nicole enjoys most about her job is the opportunity to connect with and comfort our patients.

Kirsten

Technician

Kristen graduated from Ridgewater College for Veterinary Technology in 2014. She started her career in Veterinary Medicine working as a technician at a Humane Society in Minnesota before moving to the Black Hills area in 2017. She joined the Meiners Animal Clinic team in May of 2020 and she loves working here!

She has one senior cat named Lexi that she has had since Kirsten was 12 years old. Golden Retrievers are her favorite dog breed, she had 2 growing up. She enjoys getting outside in the hills; hiking and kayaking. She also enjoys going to concerts, watching the Minnesota Twins baseball team, and spending time with her husband.

Julie

Kennel Manager

Julie has worked at Meiners Animal Clinic since 2008 as a Kennel Attendant and is now our Kennel Manager.

She is married with 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Julie has 2 dogs named Tallow and Shilo, 2 cats she adopted from the clinic, Daisy and Olive, and 2 horses named Copper and Junior. You may recognize her horses in the pasture across from the clinic. In her spare time she likes to read, garden, hike with her dogs and work with her horses.

Amanda

Daycare/Kennel Attendant

Amanda’s grandparents decided to stay here after her grandfather retired from the USAF. She was born and raised in Rapid City, SD. She started as a volunteer and foster parent for her local animal shelter and eventually graduated from the Grooming Apprenticeship Program at Petco in Rapid City. Her favorite thing about working with animals is that they let you know what unconditional love really means. Amanda knew that working with animals would be something she would do for a long time the first day she took home her first 2 fosters.

She has 2 sons, Anthony and Austin, and 2 adorable granddaughters, Zoey and Addy. In her free time, she spends most of her extra time with her other half doing things like gardening. She collects salt and pepper shakers.

Roberta

Daycare Attendant

Roberta, a Doggie Daycare Attendant, hails from Ottawa, Illinois, but has called her current town home since childhood, following her family’s relocation to be closer to her father’s relatives. She completed her high school education and is currently embarking on the journey to become an animal behaviorist.

Her passion for animals was ignited at a young age when she and her mother began volunteering and fostering at the local animal shelter. This commitment has endured into adulthood, with Roberta continuing to provide care for long-term foster cases requiring specialized attention, whether behavioral or medical. Her greatest satisfaction comes from witnessing animals’ joy, excitement, and unwavering affection.

Roberta’s conviction in her chosen profession solidified when she welcomed her first foster kittens into her home, affirming her dedication to animal welfare and behavior. Beyond her professional endeavors, Roberta cherishes her tight-knit family, relishing her role as an auntie to her niece and younger foster siblings. In her leisure time, she finds solace in reading, exploring nature with her beloved dogs Elsa and Nemo, and cherishing moments with her family.

Erin

Receptionist

Erin is a Receptionist at Meiners Animal Clinic. Originally from California, Erin spent her early years on the West Coast before moving to South Dakota to attend Black Hills State University, where she is currently studying psychology.

Growing up with a mother who worked as a veterinary technician, Erin was naturally drawn to the veterinary field from an early age. Her lifelong exposure to animal care inspired her to pursue a role where she could combine her love for animals with her interest in helping people. What she enjoys most about working in the veterinary industry is the unpredictability—every day brings something new and rewarding.

Outside of work, Erin enjoys expressing her creativity through crocheting, painting, and singing. She also loves writing songs on her baritone ukulele. Though she misses the beaches of Southern California, she has fallen in love with the beauty and charm of the Black Hills, which she now calls home.

Grayce

Veterinary Assistant/Receptionist

Grayce is a Veterinary Assistant and Receptionist at Meiners Animal Clinic. Born and raised in Rapid City, Grayce graduated from Iowa State University in 2025 with a degree in Biology. Her lifelong passion for animals and desire to make a difference in their lives naturally led her to pursue a career in the veterinary field.

Grayce’s favorite part of her work is seeing the positive impact she can make on an animal’s life—whether it’s helping them heal or witnessing their joy when they start to feel better. Moments like these, when she sees both pets and their owners filled with relief and happiness, reaffirm that she’s exactly where she’s meant to be.

Outside of work, Grayce enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family. At home, she cares for a lively assortment of pets, including chickens, ducks, cats, and dogs. In her free time, she also loves relaxing and watching football.