Business Details
30 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Veterinary Clinic in Stillwater, MN
Rivertown Animal Hospital has been a trusted provider of veterinary care in Stillwater, Minnesota, since 1996. Founded by Dr. Ginger Garlie, our practice combines decades of experience with a commitment to compassionate, Fear Free-certified care for cats and dogs. We specialize in dental services, diagnostics, pain management, and surgical procedures while maintaining a Gold-Certified Cat Friendly Practice designation. Our team of skilled veterinarians and staff prioritize patient safety, utilizing advanced technologies like digital radiology and cold laser therapy. With over 25 years of service, we emphasize preventive care, nutritional guidance, and senior pet wellness programs tailored to individual needs.Our facility accommodates urgent care cases and partners with specialists for complex treatments, ensuring comprehensive healthcare solutions. Community-focused and locally owned, we strive to make every visit stress-free through cat-friendly handling techniques and multimodal pain management strategies. Continuous staff training keeps us at the forefront of veterinary advancements, from dental extractions to orthopedic surgeries. Client testimonials consistently highlight our professionalism, expertise, and genuine concern for animal welfare, making us a ten-time winner of Best Veterinary Clinic awards.
Services
Pet Dental Care
Animal Diagnostic Clinic
Pain Relief and Management
Pet Surgery
Pet Wellness
End-of-Life Care
Details
- Year established: 1996
Highlights and features
- 25+ years of veterinary expertise in Stillwater community
- Fear Free-certified professionals reduce pet anxiety during visits
- Gold-Certified Cat Friendly Practice with specialized handling techniques
- Advanced diagnostic capabilities including digital radiology and ultrasound
- Multimodal pain management combining medication and cold laser therapy
Associations and certifications
- Fear Free Certified Professionals
- Gold-Certified Cat Friendly Practice
What people say
Exceptional staff
High-quality care
Compassionate treatment
Cat-specific needs
Positive visit experiences
Services
Pet Dental Care
Our comprehensive dental services prevent and treat oral health issues through cleanings, digital x-rays, extractions, and oral surgeries. Veterinarians use advanced pain management techniques and cold laser therapy for post-operative recovery. Home care guidance helps maintain dental health between professional treatments.
Animal Diagnostic Clinic
We employ in-house lab testing, digital radiology, ultrasound, and endoscopy for accurate diagnoses. Pre-anesthetic blood screening ensures surgical safety while chronic condition monitoring tracks medication effectiveness. Referrals to specialists handle complex cases requiring echocardiograms or advanced imaging.
Pain Relief and Management
Multimodal approaches combine NSAIDs, gabapentin, and monoclonal antibody injections with cold laser therapy and chiropractic care. Weight management programs and physical therapy address arthritis while acute pain management prioritizes rapid recovery from injuries or surgeries.
Pet Surgery
Routine and complex procedures include spays/neuters, tumor removals, gastrointestinal foreign body extractions, and orthopedic repairs. Pre-surgical bloodwork and multimodal anesthesia ensure patient safety. Post-operative care combines cold laser therapy with detailed home recovery instructions.
Pet Wellness
Annual exams track health changes while vaccinations and parasite prevention guard against diseases. Senior pet programs address age-related concerns through specialized bloodwork and mobility assessments. Nutritional counseling tailors diet plans to individual health requirements.
People
Dr. Ginger Garlie
Founder/Veterinarian
Graduate of University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine with 30+ years experience. Special interest in dentistry and pain management. Past MVMA president and veterinary medical association committee member.
Dr. Carrie Thorson
Veterinarian
20-year internal medicine specialist. University of Minnesota graduate focused on lifelong learning. Balances family life with providing high-quality medical care to companion animals.
Dr. Carrie Howe
Veterinarian
Former veterinary technician turned DVM graduate. Specializes in wellness care and nutrition. Combines technical expertise with family-centered pet health education.
Dr. Lacey Rutledge
Veterinarian
Recent graduate with surgical and dental focus. Enthusiastic about preventive care and community pet health education through outdoor activities.
Dr. Sharon Dekker
Veterinarian
Veterinary medical college graduate with research background. Special interests include dentistry and geriatric pet care. Actively involved in continuing education programs.
Questions
What veterinary specialties do you offer?
We provide dental care, diagnostics, pain management, surgery, and wellness programs. Referrals handle orthopedic and advanced soft tissue procedures through board-certified specialists.
Are you certified for cat care?
Yes, we're a Gold-Certified Cat Friendly Practice with specialized handling techniques and feline-specific exam rooms to reduce stress during visits.
How do you manage pet pain?
Multimodal approaches combine medication, cold laser therapy, and chiropractic care. We use monoclonal antibody injections for arthritis and weight management programs.
What payment options exist?
CareCredit financing available. We accept major credit cards and work with pet insurance providers for dental and medical procedures.
Do you handle emergencies?
We provide urgent care during business hours. After-hours emergencies connect with Animal Emergency Clinic Oakdale, BluePearl, or University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center.
How often should pets receive checkups?
Annual exams recommended for adult pets. Senior animals and those with chronic conditions require bi-annual visits for preventive care and early disease detection.
