Dr. Tammy Brown

Dr. Tammy Brown is one of the founders of Virgin Valley Veterinary Hospital. She graduated summa cum laude from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1992. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. After finishing her undergraduate studies she attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa and earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1996, also summa cum laude. Dr. Brown continued to do postgraduate work in Immunobiology at Iowa State University.

Dr. Brown holds a special interest in working on the digestive systems of small animals as well as liver and renal management. She also has studied extensively the effects of endocrine management, diabetes, Cushings disease and thyroid disease in animals. Continuing her interest from her postgraduate work, Dr. Brown is well versed in treating allergies in dogs and cats. She and Dr. Steyee both are well trained in abdominal and thoracic ultrasound.

Dr. Tammy Brown is a member of the following associations:

AVMA member (1995)
USDA National Veterinary Accreditation (1996)
NVMA member (1997)
AAHA Accredited member (2000)

Dr. Brown has a very full personal life filled with family and hobbies. Along with her husband, James, they have 2 children: Aiden and Madeline. To complete their family they also have 2 dogs; a beagle named Abby and a schnauzer named LT. A shared hobby amongst their family is the showing of two quarter horses: Libby and Penny. In 2014, Penny and Dr. Brown were in the top 10 at the AQHA Novice Championships.

The Brown/Steyee household works with We Care for Animals by fostering kittens until a happy home can be found for them.

When not practicing animal medicine at Virgin Valley, Dr. Brown stays busy being a mom! She not only practices horse riding with her kids, but makes sure they make their piano, violin, dance, gymnastics, Tae Kwon Do, basketball, soccer, softball and swimming lessons!

Dr. James B Steyee

One of the founders of Virgin Valley Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Steyee is a highly experienced and knowledgeable animal medicine provider. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. He then attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, receiving his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1979.

Dr. Steyee holds a special interest in orthopedic surgery (especially stifle repairs), ophthalmology, general and oral surgery. He and Dr. Brown both are well trained in abdominal and thoracic ultrasound.

Dr. Steyee is a member of the following associations:

AVMA member (1978)
USDA National Veterinary Accreditation (1978)
NVMA member (1997)
AAHA Accredited member (2000)

Dr. James is married to his partner, Tammy Brown. Together they are raising two children, Aiden and Madeline. To complete their family they have two dogs, Abby and LT as well as two quarter horses that he helps maintain for his wife and children.

When not practicing medicine on animals, Dr. Steyee stays busy with honey-do lists, numerous chores on their acreage, family vacations, building train layouts with Aiden and teaching Madeline to box.

Dr. Samantha Shaffer

Dr. Samantha Shaffer joins our team again at Virgin Valley Veterinary Hospital as an associate veterinarian. After working as a licensed veterinary technician for ten years, she graduated cum laude from Nevada State College in Henderson, Nevada in 2016 with her Bacehlor’s of Biology. After finishing her undergraduate studies, she attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2021.

Dr. Shaffer enjoys educating owners and working with them to achieve the best health and preventative care possible for their pets. She is very passionate about anesthesia, nutrition, surgery, and internal medicine. Most of her experience is with cats and dogs, although she has a soft spot for some pocket pets as well.

When Dr. Shaffer is not in the clinic, she enjoys being with her spouse and son, as well as all their animals. Their home is currently filled with a dog, two cats, a lizard, and a bird; outside live their two horses for pleasure riding. The family enjoys any outdoor activities, movies, and family time.