Creekside Veterinary Clinic Blends Personal Care with Advanced Treatment in Black Earth

In an industry increasingly dominated by corporate ownership, Creekside Veterinary Clinic in Black Earth is taking a different approach—one rooted in local ownership, personalized care, and strong relationships with both pets and their owners.

Co-owners Dr. Tanya Hoffman and certified veterinary technician Becca Phillips opened the clinic in October 2024, bringing with them a shared vision of what veterinary care should look like.

“We wanted to keep something locally owned where we could build real relationships and keep care affordable,” Phillips said.

Hoffman, who previously lived in nearby Cross Plains while attending veterinary school, said the Black Earth location felt like a natural fit.

“I really fell in love with the area,” Hoffman said. “When this space became available, it just made sense to build something here.”

At the core of Creekside’s philosophy is a commitment to personalized, flexible treatment plans.

Rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all solution, Hoffman said the clinic works closely with pet owners to determine what is realistic for their situation—whether that involves financial limitations, time constraints, or a pet’s temperament.

The clinic’s certified veterinary technicians—Jayde Rundle, Alesia Chalmers, and Dani Eastman—along with technician Krisann McElvain, assistants Leah Mason and Kayla Cribbs, and student intern Laura Rettenmund, two doctors, CC Sheldon and Ellen Richardson, and the three groomers, Alissa Doyle, Anya Armbrust, and Jennifer Moralesall, play key roles in ensuring each patient receives attentive, individualized care.

“It’s about asking what the client and the patient both need,” Hoffman said. “We guide them through the options so they can make the best decision for their pet.”

That approach stands in contrast to what the owners describe as a growing corporate model in veterinary medicine, where clinics may follow stricter protocols and shorter appointment times.

“People don’t always realize a clinic has gone corporate,” Hoffman said. “But they start to notice changes—less time, higher costs, more turnover.”

Creekside Veterinary Clinic offers a mix of traditional veterinary medicine alongside holistic and alternative therapies.

One of its standout services is veterinary chiropractic care, which Hoffman has practiced since becoming certified in 2009.

“I’ve always found it incredibly rewarding,” she said. “You can actually fix problems instead of just managing symptoms.”

The clinic also uses a Class IV therapeutic laser, a high-powered device designed to reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and accelerate healing.

The laser is used for a wide range of conditions, including arthritis, injuries, wounds, ear infections, and post-surgical recovery. In some cases, Hoffman said, pets show improvement almost immediately.

“You can see them relax during treatment,” she said. “Some dogs walk out better than when they came in.”

The clinic also incorporates supplements, including Chinese herbal options, to complement traditional treatments when appropriate.

In addition to its holistic offerings, Creekside continues to invest in new technology.

One recent addition is a non-invasive scanning device that evaluates lumps and masses, helping determine whether they may be cancerous without the need for immediate biopsy.

“It gives owners peace of mind right away,” Hoffman said. “Sometimes that alone is huge.”

The clinic also works with visiting specialists, including a board-certified surgeon who performs advanced procedures on-site. This allows clients to access specialized care locally, often at a lower cost than traveling to larger cities.

Ultrasound and echocardiogram services are also available through visiting professionals.

Looking ahead, the clinic hopes to expand into rehabilitation services, including the addition of an underwater treadmill, as well as potentially offering large-animal care in the future.

Another rapidly growing part of the business is grooming, which has expanded from one groomer to three, with added hours including Saturdays.

The integration of grooming and veterinary services provides convenience for clients and added benefits for pet health.

Groomers often identify issues such as lumps, ear infections, or skin conditions, allowing the veterinary team to step in immediately.

“Sometimes we can treat something the same day instead of making the owner come back,” Phillips said.

For Hoffman and Phillips, the most rewarding part of their work goes beyond medical care.

“The relationships are everything,” Phillips said.

Hoffman agreed, noting that those connections help guide pet owners through every stage of their animal’s life—from puppyhood to end-of-life decisions.

“Being able to help families through both the good times and the hard times—that’s what really matters,” she said.

Creekside Veterinary Clinic also partners with several animal rescue organizations, offering discounted services for animals in need and supporting adoption efforts across the region.

As a locally owned business, the owners say their mission is simple: provide high-quality care while staying connected to the community they serve.

“Every dollar spent here stays local,” Hoffman said. “It goes right back into helping the people and pets we see every day.”