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Welcome to your local veterinarians, the Animal Center of Helena.

Animal Center Veterinary Hospital is proud to serve the Helena MT area for everything pet-related. The Animal Center Veterinary Hospital is run by Dr. Ed Newman and Dr. Elizabeth Dagnall, both of whom are licensed, experienced Helena veterinarians.

Our team is committed to educating our clients on how to keep their pets healthy year round, with good nutrition and exercise. Animal Center Veterinary Hospital stays on top of the latest advances in veterinarian technology and above all, remembers that all animals and pets need to be treated with loving care in every check-up, procedure, or surgery.

Highlights Of Our Practice

We support our community by providing discounted veterinary care for the Police and Sheriff’s Departments K9 officers, as well as the dogs in the Anthrozoology Program at Carroll College. We have a decades-old relationship with the local Humane Society, providing emergency and routine care to the homeless pet population. We also have hosted several student interns from the local high schools as well as 4-H clubs.
We pride ourselves on client communication. Many clients have been patrons at the clinic for decades. Our clinic has a collaborative environment and with a combined experience of over 110 years between 5 doctors, we can offer a diversity of medical insight and treatment preferences. Our doctors have high level skills in dentistry, internal medicine, dermatology, radiographic interpretation, lameness diagnosis, and geriatric care.

Our Compassionate Veterinary Team

Meet the Veterinarians & Team of the Animal Center Veterinary Hospital of Helena in Helena, MT. We’re pleased to provide exceptional vet care for your pets!

Dr. Mandy McGowan

Veterinarian & Medical Director

Dr Mandy McGowan is a Helena native who graduated from both Capital High School and Carroll College.  She then completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at Colorado State University in 2007 and has been practicing in her hometown community ever since.   She is our Medical Director.  Outside of the clinic, Dr Mandy enjoys many outdoor activities provided by life in Montana including rafting, running, horseback riding and swimming. 

Dr. Liz Dagnall

Veterinarian

Dr Liz Dagnall, a California native, received her master’s degree in public health in 1986 and her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine degree in 1990 from the University of California.  She has been practicing at the Animal Center since 2003.  Before moving to Montana, she gained extensive experience as an emergency veterinarian.  She and her husband Rob live on a ranch with numerous dogs and horses.  She breeds and shows Brussels Griffons.  

Dr. Ed Newman

Veterinarian

Dr Ed Newman is a Montana native.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in microbiology in 1977, then a Master of Science in Microbiology in 1981.  He married his college sweetheart, Kim, in 1981 and worked for two years at the Montana State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory before moving to Colorado to attend Colorado State Veterinary School.  He received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1987.  After spending a few years practicing in California, he returned to Montana and has been at the Animal Center since 1992. 

When not working, Dr Newman and his family enjoy the usual outdoor activities offered by Helena and the surrounding area – hiking, camping, fishing, hunting and skiing. 

Dr. Haven Leavitt

Veterinarian

Dr. Haven Leavitt was born and raised in Fairbanks Alaska.  After spending her youth mushing dogs and riding horses, she headed south to Montana to complete a BA in German with a minor in French at the University of Montana, and then her pre-veterinary requirements at Montana State University.  She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Colorado State University and was happy to return to Montana following graduation in May 2017.  Dr Haven has been practicing medicine at the Animal Center since June of 2017.  She spends her days off exploring Montana with her husband, children and her dog Lindy.  She enjoys hiking, knitting, cross-country skiing, watercolor painting, and ceramics. 

Dr. Lori Giuffre

Veterinarian

Dr. Lori Giuffre’ is a native New Yorker.  She received her bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996.  She then moved to Maryland where she met her husband and practiced small animal medicine for over 20 years.  Dr. G relocated to Montana with her family and has been practicing medicine at the Animal Center since 2019.  Since moving to Montana, she and her family have enjoyed the gentler pace of life that Montana affords them by spending time outdoors and hiking with their 3 dogs.  A soccer fan, she also enjoys Pilates and cooking.