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 is a dedicated Veterinary Technician at Meiners Animal Clinic. Originally from Sturgis, South Dakota, she graduated from Sturgis Brown High School in 2009 before moving to Rapid City to pursue her passion for animal care. Nicole attended National American University’s Veterinary Technology Program, earning her Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology in 2014. She now resides in Box Elder with her husband and their two sons.

Nicole entered the veterinary field with a lifelong connection to animals and a strong belief that caring for them was her true calling. She finds the most joy in building meaningful bonds with her patients and being someone both pets and their owners can trust. Shortly after beginning her career, Nicole knew she was exactly where she belonged—part of a supportive team making a positive impact on countless lives. Her dedication to the profession was recognized early on when she received the Dana Award in 2012 for exemplifying the Human–Animal Bond. During her studies, she also served two years as Vice President and one year as President of the Vet Tech Club.

Outside of work, Nicole’s greatest joy is being a mother to her sons, Reed and Rowen. Together as a family, they love spending time outdoors—especially camping—and enjoying simple moments at home playing games, reading books, or sharing time with their beloved pets. Their furry family includes a Red Heeler named Dally, a Persian cat named Theodore, a DSH cat named Violet, and a Sphynx cat named Harriet.

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.

Bryce

Veterinary Assistant

Bryce is a Veterinary Assistant at Meiners Animal Clinic. Born and raised in Banning, California, she and her husband moved to South Dakota earlier this year to settle down and begin a new chapter in the Black Hills. Bryce has wanted to work with animals for as long as she can remember—her interest began during childhood visits to the veterinarian with her parents.

Bryce officially began her veterinary career in 2021 as a receptionist at her hometown clinic, the same practice her family had relied on for years. She loves getting to know each animal’s unique personality and finds fulfillment in supporting both pets and their owners. She knew she was in the right profession when she witnessed firsthand the positive impact veterinary care can have on animals who cannot speak for themselves and on the people who love them.

Outside of work, Bryce enjoys relaxing and spending quality time with her family and friends. She and her husband share their life with their dog, Tank, and she loves camping and spending time outdoors. Although she misses her family in California, she is grateful to call the Black Hills her new home.

Amanda

Groomer

Amanda is a Groomer at Meiners Animal Clinic and a lifelong resident of Rapid City. A professionally trained dog groomer with more than 15 years of experience, she has dedicated much of her life to working with animals. Her background in fostering made the transition into a veterinary clinic feel natural, and she values every opportunity to expand her knowledge and skills.

Amanda’s passion for animal care began early—she knew she was in the right profession the very first time she volunteered. Helping animals and witnessing the impact of her work continues to be deeply rewarding. For her, the best part of working with animals is the unconditional love they give, a reminder of why she chose this path in the first place.

Outside of work, Amanda is a proud mother of two sons and a devoted grandmother to four grandchildren. She shares her home with three wonderful cats and two angel fish, and she brings the same compassion she shows at work into her life at home.