About Us
At Pintler Veterinary Service, we offer preventative, medical, dental and surgical care, as well as herd health management at our mixed-animal practice, located in Philipsburg, Montana.
With long-time Montanan Dr. Dustin Rich at the helm, we have a dedicated team of animal-lovers who bring a unique combination of expertise to the practice, which serves the communities and ranches from Philipsburg, Hall and Drummond, to Anaconda, the Deer Lodge Valley, Helmville and beyond.
Our Story
Pintler Veterinary Service was founded in 2012 as a mobile large animal practice. In 2013, Dr. Rich acquired Flint Creek Valley Veterinary Clinic, which had been established by Dr. Mark Ransford and served the greater Granite County area for many years. Continuing operations as Pintler Veterinary Service, the practice grew over the next ten years, combining mobile large animal services and in-clinic companion animal services for area residents and their critters.
Our New Chapter
We are excited to announce that we have officially moved into our new facility just a short distance down the road from our original office on Broadway. Our new location includes a brand-new haul-in facility for horses and cattle, companion animal boarding, and improved spaces for all of our existing services.
As we continue to serve our communities, we remain committed to providing the same personal, knowledgeable, and compassionate care that has always been our priority.
Meet our Team
Our incredible team led by Dr. Rich are highly skilled and ready to take care of any animal needs that come our way!
Dr. Dustin Rich
DVM / Owner
Dr. Dustin Rich (DVM) was raised near Bozeman and grew up around horses - largely trail riding and packing - and this early exposure would later influence his inclusion of equine health in his veterinary practice.
Dr. Rich received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Montana State University in 2003 and initially worked in the engineering field. However, a combined love of science, animals and people led to his return to school - this time to attain his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009. He was an associate vet in a mixed-animal practice in Cody, Wyoming before moving to Twin Bridges, Montana and in 2012, Dr. Rich founded Pintler Veterinary Service, a mobile veterinary practice that covered Anaconda, Butte and Philipsburg.
It was during this time that Dr. Rich became aquainted with Dr. Mark Ransford of Flint Creek Valley Veterinary Clinic in Philipsburg. Ultimately, Dr. Rich purchased the Philipsburg practice, expanding operations and merging its services with that of his growing large animal practice.
Dr. Rich enjoys spending time in the mountains with horses and mules, hiking, skiing, recreating with his family and cheering for the kids in their sports and activities.
Dr. Rich’s primary professional interest is as a jack-of-all-trades, bringing a high level of service to his mixed animal patients and their clients. He enjoys the challenge and diversity of providing medical and surgical services for livestock, horses and companion animals.
Heather Rich
Business Admin / Owner
Born and raised in Anaconda, Heather graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane in 2000, earning a degree in business administration, with a concentration in finance. She went on to work in commercial banking, and later in business administration across a number of industries, after she and Dr. Dustin Rich returned to Montana to raise their three children - Averee, Owen and Emersyn.
Heather is looking forward to using her background to contribute to the 2025 expansion of Pintler Veterinary Service, but isn’t opposed to jumping in to help out with the animals or answer phones in the front office as needed.
“We’re excited to bring an expanded facility to the community, especially with the growth we have had here,” she says, adding that they are thankful to be settled and established in Granite County. “We’re both from Montana and we always knew this is where we wanted to be. We feel like we are home.”
Dr. Kiana Muehlberg
DVM
Kiana's Bio is COMING SOON
Cindy Ruana
Veterinary Assistant
An Ohio native, Cindy moved to Montana in 1977. She has worked as a veterinary technician for more than 30 years, both in Missoula and here in Philipsburg, where she and her husband, Don, have lived since 2005.
While Cindy has assisted in the care of a wide range of animals throughout her career - from injured raptors, lynx, and an iguana, to bobcats and even a black bear - she still enjoys the challenge of a more domestic patient list of cats, dogs, cows and horses at Pintler Veterinary Service.
Cindy always says a prayer for her patients and their owners and believes that one of the greatest privileges of her job is caring for an animal for their entire life span.
“I’ve been able to hold them as a puppy, watch them grow up and then be there for them at the end of their life,” Cindy says. “That’s the hardest part - but it is such an honor to be there as it all comes full circle.”
When she’s not at work, Cindy enjoys hiking, trail riding, skiing and exploring the Montana outdoors and spending time with her family and animals - a cat, a dog, and two horses.
Kelly Fernatt
Veterinary Assitant
A Chicago native, Kelly moved to Montana in 2001 and enrolled in Pre-Veterinary courses at Montana State University. In 2010 Kelly moved to Philipsburg and worked in the guest services industry for fifteen years.
“I’m excited to be returning to what I’ve always wanted to do, working around animals,” Kelly says.
Kelly is a lifelong animal lover and has always had many animals including fish, lizards, birds, dogs, and cats. She loves that she gets to be around and help animals for her job! In her free time, Kelly enjoys cross country skiing, mountain biking, fishing and hanging out with her friends and dog, Pepper.