About our hospital
The Animal Clinic of West Plains has been at its present location since 1978 when it was built by the original owner, Dr. Hollis Smith. In 1994, Dr. Eugene Ulmanis, a transplant from Michigan, purchased the clinic and remodeled it into the facility it is today. On January 3rd 2024, Dr. Jessica Buenger purchased the clinic from Dr. Ulmanis and will continue the same level of care and service that has defined the clinic's history. We are known by most as the "big red barn" as our big red building is hard to miss! We look forward to sharing our facility and services with you and your beloved pets.
A little more about us..
​
​Our 5000 square foot facility houses a complete small animal medicine and surgery facility with the capacity to undertake cutting edge medicine and surgical techniques, including orthopedic surgery. We offer complete preventative health care services, including (but not limited to) vaccinations, de-worming and parasite control, wellness checks, and dental cleanings.
​
We offer a wide variety of services for your canine, feline and pocket pet companions. Internal medicine is supported with comprehensive blood chemistry and diagnostics completed in-house or with optional outside lab diagnostics and consultation. Radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy and laser surgery are available as in-house services. Behavioral and nutritional consultations are also offered.
​
Dr. Jessica Buenger our clinic owner and primary veterinarian has been practicing medicine for over 15 years. A graduate of Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Buenger has spent her career working as a mixed animal practitioner focusing on canine, feline, pocket pets, and a variety of livestock. Dr. Buenger has deep interest in small animal surgery and is excited to bring her skill set to the West Plains community. Dr. Buenger and her family moved to West Plains from Laramie, Wyoming in late 2023 to pursue the transition of the Animal Clinic of West Plains from Dr. Ulmanis. Dr. Buenger's interests include outdoor recreation, camping, quilting and spending time with her husband Patrick and their three children and pets.
​
Dr. Ulmanis, "Doc" as most of us call him, our former clinic owner and veterinarian, has been practicing veterinary medicine for over 45 years. Originally from Michigan, he has been serving West Plains and the surrounding areas since 1995. He routinely travels to Alaska, where he is also licensed to practice veterinary medicine. Over the years he has also served in Mongolia, where he trained local veterinarians in conjunction with Christian Veterinary Mission. He loves to travel and has special interests in orthopedic and equine medicine. Dr. Ulmanis' skill set is very versatile and he has, over the course of his career, treated a wide variety of animals, including llamas, alpacas, a camel, a kangaroo, a wallaby, a spider monkey, snakes, iguanas, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, ferrets and once even a baby bear.
​​​
​
The Clinic Outlet - Pet Supplies​
​
Our retail store, located conveniently in the clinic's front lobby, is a one-stop-shop for all of your animal product needs. We offer only the best veterinarian recommended products to keep your dogs and cats happy and healthy.
​
A complete line of veterinary recommended Hill's Prescription Diets and Science Diet food and treats, as well as heartworm, flea, and tick preventatives, nutritional supplements, and much more is in-stock. We provide a wide variety of products to meet your veterinary needs and requirements and stay up to date on what is newly available for your pet.
We strive to meet every client's needs and requirements, however if there is a required product that you don't see on the shelves, just ask! We will be happy to place a special order for you.
​