88 Equine: Veterinary service cares for community needs
Located in Buffalo, 88 Equine is dedicated to providing exceptional veterinary care and customer service under the leadership of Dr. Dallas Shaw.
Dallas grew up ranching in Buffalo and returned home to establish her practice in 2022. In addition to offering veterinary services at her clinic and throughout Johnson County, Dallas works for the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) and American Bucking Bull Association.
A busy schedule caring for patients at home and on the road helps her achieve her goals while doing what she loves – working hard and helping animals.
Getting established
Growing up on her family’s cow/calf operation near Deadhorse Creek laid the groundwork for Dallas’ love of animals and desire to become a veterinarian.
An opportunity to shadow a local veterinarian in high school began her journey to her eventual career path.
She briefly changed directions to play basketball at Chadron State College in Chadron, Neb. for a couple of years, but eventually changed her focus back to veterinary science.
Dallas worked for a local veterinarian in Chadron, Neb. while applying to graduate school and earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, Wash. in 2020.
Following graduation, Dallas worked exclusively in equine practices in Texas and South Dakota before a need for equine veterinary services in Buffalo prompted her to move back home and establish her own practice.
Dallas opened the doors to 88 Equine in 2022 on the border of her family’s ranch. The clinic’s proximity to family is a plus and its location off of I-90 makes it easily accessible for clients in Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming alike.
“It’s the best of both worlds,” she says.
Services and specialties
Dallas offers a host of veterinary services through her practice, but her main specialty is horses.
Although she offers bovine services through her work with the PBR and around Johnson County – including working as the main veterinarian at Buffalo Livestock Marketing – Dallas’ heart lies with horses.
She says focusing primarily on one species helps her stay competitive, keeps her skills sharp and provides the best possible care in her area of expertise.
“Veterinary medicine is such a broad term,” she says. “I think it’s important for veterinarians to stick to what they’re good at, focusing on the medicine and the animals attached to the medicine.”
She also notes equine medicine in particular is incredibly diverse and constantly evolving.
From stallion services and mare management to lameness exams and emergency services, Dallas and the team at 88 Equine stay busy.
In addition to Dallas, a team of three main technicians – Kassie Swartz, Lauren Olsen and Hannah Cheeley – and seasonal interns keep operations running smoothly.
Another technician, Lisa Downs, takes the lead on in-house laboratory services like Coggins testing.
Dallas says the staff at 88 Equine plays a crucial role in keeping things up and running whenever her work takes her on the road.
In October, Dallas travels to Las Vegas to offer her services during the PBR Teams Championship, covering everything from general sports medicine to internal medicine and fractures.
When work around town slows down for the winter, Dallas also provides occasional relief work for veterinary clinics in Texas.
There’s a lot on her plate, but a strong work ethic grounds her.
“If you work hard every day, you can achieve the things you want to achieve in this life,” Dallas says. “I promise nobody is going to give it to you.”
Special bond
Dallas’ love for horses drives many aspects of her life, both professionally and personally. When she’s not in the clinic or on the road, Dallas can usually be found in the saddle.
Dallas loves to ride and rope, and she says spending time with her horses helps clear her mind.
“My favorite part about home is my horses,” Dallas says, adding the close-knit community of Johnson County is also particularly special.
Each fall, 88 Equine helps sponsor and put on the Johnson County Memorial Roping, in partnership with Larry and Deanna Steele.
The event brings neighbors from across the county together to honor the lives of past generations of local cowboys and cowgirls.
Dallas’ passion for horses connects her to her clients, who all share the same deep love for animals. As a veterinarian and a horsewoman, Dallas loves to see horses and riders alike achieve their goals.
She takes pride in helping horses feel good and perform to the best of their abilities and strives to provide quality care across the board.
“Whether it’s a $2 million horse or a $200 horse, we treat them all the same,” says Dallas. “I want the absolute best for every horse. They are important to their owners, and they are important to me.”
For more information on 88 Equine, visit 88equine.com or call 307-621-1860.
Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
