Meet the Team

Julie Oghigian, DVM CVA
Owner

Dr. Julie Oghigian has been working in the veterinary profession for well over 30 years, with over 20 of those in practice as a small animal veterinarian. She graduated from Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and chose to pursue a prestigious rotating internship at the nation’s third largest small animal referral hospital.

Dr. Julie has a strong interest in canine reproduction, canine sports medicine and rehabilitation, feline medicine/surgery, dentistry, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), zoo animal and wildlife
medicine/rehabilitation. Dr. Julie is also a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA), having undergone extensive training through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. She was a Founding Fellow of the International Association of Cat Doctors and Fellow of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and is currently a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Montana Veterinary Medical Association, Society For Theriogenology, American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians, American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture, International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, International Sled Dog Veterinary Medical Association and multiple other organizations. Dr. Julie was the staff doctor at Guide Dogs of America for almost 5 years and was very excited to see the advancements and growth of the GDA veterinary program during that period.

Outside of work, Dr. Julie loves spending time with her husband, who grew up in Montana, and their children, friends, family, cats, and enjoys competing with her champion Labrador retrievers in the AKC conformation ring, hunt tests, obedience, rally, and other performance venues. Dr. Julie is a veterinary columnist in the world-renown Labrador Quarterly magazine. She also enjoys movies, books, photography, SCUBA diving, art, and the outdoors- hiking (especially with their pack llamas!), camping, fishing, shooting, gardening, rock-climbing, and exploring the wilderness.

Ryan Black, DVM
Veterinarian

Dr. Ryan Black started working at Alpenglow Animal Hospital on March 1st, 2022. Dr. Black is originally from Mississippi and has been in the Gallatin Valley since 2019. He received his undergraduate from The Ohio State University and doctorate from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013.

Throughout his career, he has gained a strong interest in orthopedics and joint health. He has completed numerous post-graduate courses in advanced orthopedics, allowing him to better serve his patients as a general practitioner. This includes learning the tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) technique for ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments, simple and complicated fracture repair with external fixtures, and internal fracture repair with bone plating. He also thoroughly enjoys general practice and meeting new additions to your family.

Outside of work Dr. Black enjoys spending time with his wife Mary Ward, daughter Anna Christine and numerous pets. He is an avid fly fisherman, waterfowl and upland bird hunter, and alpine skier. He also enjoys all the local activities that Bozeman has to offer.

Jennifer McMahen
Office Manager/Lead Client Services Representative

Jen was born & raised in central Ohio. Her love for animals came from growing up with a variety of pets including cats, dogs, sheep, rabbits, chickens, and even a Shetland pony!

In 2009, she and her family moved to Louisville, KY in order for her husband to attend Boyce College. In 2013, they moved to Lewistown, MT where her husband was the Associate Pastor of a local church; and in July of 2021, they transitioned to Bozeman to plant a church. Her background in administration and love of animals makes Alpenglow Animal Hospital a perfect fit!

She has been married to her high school sweetheart for 25 years. They have three thriving adult children & one amazing grandson! They enjoy spending time with their family, taking walks, traveling, and cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes!

Annie Trotter
Certified Lead Veterinary Technician

A native of Colorado, Annie grew up in Steamboat Springs where she developed a love of all things outdoors. She attended the University of Southern California where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Business. Annie’s passion for animals lead her to obtain her Associate’s of Applied Science and is a Certified Veterinary Technician. In 2016 she and her husband moved to Bozeman where her love of the outdoors and animals continues to flourish. As a veterinary technician, she enjoys all aspects of medicine especially assisting in surgeries. She continues to spend her free time outdoors skiing, hiking, rafting, and backpacking.

Christine Thompson
Veterinary Technician

Christine started working at Alpenglow Animal Hospital on March 7th, 2022. She lived in Memphis, TN for 26 years and graduated from St. Benedict at Auburndale High School in 2013. She spent some time at The University of Memphis, eventually, her husband got a job in Big Sky at the beginning of 2021.

She has always loved animals and used to work at an animal hospital in TN. She knew the Veterinary world was right for her when she became a technician and got to save lives. At that point, she knew there was nothing else she wanted to do. She feels it is the most rewarding job she has ever had and can’t imagine not working with animals. Christine and her husband Brandon live a busy life with two kids, Abby and Kade, and all her focus goes to them.

In her spare time, she likes to draw and do puzzles. One day she hopes to open an animal shelter. Animals are her passion and they always have been. Dogs are her favorite animal, hands down.

Felicity
Veterinary Assistant

Felicity joined the Alpenglow team in June 2023 after completing her Bachelor’s in Microbiology at Montana State University. Felicity has a strong interest in veterinary medicine and hopes to attend veterinary school this upcoming fall. Until then, she is enjoying her time in Bozeman, MT with her boyfriend and their cat Oliver.

Felicity has had a strong passion for veterinary medicine all her life, and before becoming part of the Alpenglow team, she worked as a socialization/clean-care volunteer at Town Cats in Morgan Hill, CA for two years. Felicity has also worked at the local Bozeman Petco as a cashier and even passed a dog training course while employed there!

Despite working all over, Felicity has always felt happiest and most fulfilled when working in a clinic- after shadowing her uncle at 15 years old, Felicity dreamed of being able to make a living doing what she loved and she is so happy to be here to help with all of your furry friends and their needs!