Our Billings Team
Dr. Jaime Lehfeldt
Dr. Jaime Lehfeldt grew up in rural Nevada where she raised and showed horses, sheep, and cattle. She showed hunter/jumpers, three-day-eventers, western performance horses, and rodeoed. During summer months, she would work at a guest ranch leading rides and starting colts. Along with her horse experience, the FFA and 4-H organizations taught her leadership, perseverance, business skills, and compassion for the animals and their owners which would be applicable in her career later on down the road. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree at the University of Nevada, Reno, she was accepted to veterinary school at Oregon State University which allowed for a hands-on education with a small class size and wonderful staff at OSU as well as Washington State University. Following graduation, Jaime headed to Littleton Equine Medical Center in Colorado for a well-rounded internship. Dr. Lehfeldt did a residency at Oregon State University in Large Animal Internal Medicine doing research on equine metabolic syndrome, and camelid medicine. Following her residency, she returned home to Smith Valley, Nevada where she started a successful referral and general practice, focusing on preventative medicine, infectious diseases, and geriatric medicine. Internal medicine deals with the intricacies of the body, whether normal or abnormal, and how it responds to disease. During Dr. Lehfeldt’s career, her curiosity about ways to help heal the body with a natural approach has developed. This interest spurred her on to get certified in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture and spinal manipulation allowing her to combine eastern and western medicine for her patients. Jaime met her husband, Erik, a rancher out of Lavina, MT and moved to the area in 2015.
Dr. Elizabeth Krueger
Dr. Elizabeth Krueger grew up in rural Indiana where she competitively showed her horses and also raised goats, rabbits, and chickens. Her love of horses first began when her family would visit a dude ranch in Michigan every summer while growing up. Dr. Krueger was actively involved for 10 years in her county’s 4-H chapter and served as club president during her final years of 4-H. She competed mainly in western pleasure, trail, and showmanship classes but also dabbled in rodeo and English riding with her horse Dylan.
Dr. Krueger attended Purdue University (Boiler Up!) for her undergraduate bachelor’s degree in Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, while also obtaining minors in Animal Science and Chemistry. At Purdue, she worked at the state’s ADDL lab in the virology department, in a behavioral/habitat research project, and completed an internship at the local zoo. In her free time, she volunteered at Purdue’s veterinary school and served as an officer for her Pre-Vet Club. She earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed her clinical year at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Krueger had the great opportunity to complete a well-rounded equine internship at Brandon Equine Medical Center (Brandon, Florida) where she strengthened her knowledge and clinical skills. Her special interests include reproduction, foal management, and general wellness. In her free time, Dr. Krueger enjoys spending time with her dog Stevie, hiking, reading, riding, and spending time on the water.
Brooklee Stief
Veterinary Assistant
Brooklee was born and raised in Montana. After graduating high school, she moved to Oregon and worked in a small animal clinic as an overnight critical care and ER assistant for 10 years. Brooklee finally made her way back home to the mountains and the big sky country where her heart had always been. During her free time Brooklee enjoys horses, working dogs, fishing, hiking, the night sky, sunsets, camping, shooting, and spending time with her 98-year-old Grandma, 19-year-old son, and a few close friends.
Channing Ellingson
Veterinary Assistant
Channing was born and raised in Miles City, MT. She attended Montana State University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in animal science. She has always had a passion for horses and all other animals. In her free time, she enjoys any outdoor activity, hiking with her dog Nala, working out, and spending time with her family and friends.
James West
Veterinary Assistant
James grew up grew up on his family’s ranch in Butte Valley, NV raising cattle, horses, and sheep before moving to Pendleton, OR to finish high school. After high school he attended Oregon State University to get his Animal Science degree. His hope is to attend Veterinary school and focus on Equine/Rural medicine. He spends his free time working on school and spending time with friends.
Alyssa Cooper
Veterinary Assistant
Alyssa’s love for horses and wide-open country began in rural Iowa when she was a little girl. After moving to Montana in 2016, the need to learn everything she could about equines grew exponentially. When a horse she dearly loved passed away, Alyssa knew she wanted to be an equine veterinarian and joined the MEA team in October of 2023 to gain some in-field experience as a high schooler. Besides horses, Alyssa loves to read, write novels for her and her sister’s entertainment, and eat chocolate chip cookies, which she can never refuse!
Sara Kelly
Patient Caregiver
Sara grew up in western Colorado and moved to Billings a year ago for college. She is pursuing an equine science degree at Rocky Mountain College with the hopes of ending up in Vet school. Sara was introduced to horses her junior year of high school as a form of therapy and has been in love ever since. She rides both western and English but prefers a good trail ride over all. In her free time she enjoys hiking, planning events with her school, and sleeping.
Cassie Hull
Patient Caregiver
Cassie was born in Washington and moved to Montana with her family when she was 13. She was active in 4H and FFA throughout school and went on to raise and train horses for others and herself after graduation. She currently lives in Roundup, MT with her husband, dogs, cats, and horses. In her free time she enjoys riding and competing on her horses as well as spending time with her family and friends.