Contact Us
Photo of Tiffany, Chris, and Dogs

Our Story

Local Care, Lifelong Compassion

Trailhead Veterinary Services was founded with a clear purpose: to provide affordable, expert veterinary care with heart—right here in Billings, Montana. In a time when large corporate clinics are crowding out personalized service, Trailhead offers something different: a local, compassionate alternative rooted in real relationships and honest care.

The clinic is led by Dr. Kristopher Norris and Tiffany Smith, who bring nearly 14 years of combined experience in veterinary medicine and animal welfare. Both saw a growing need for high-quality care that didn’t feel rushed, transactional, or corporate—and they set out to meet it.

Why “Trailhead”?

Billings is Montana’s Trailhead—the starting point for adventure.

For our team, it’s also a symbol of fresh starts, a local clinic built to guide pets toward better health with care that’s personal.

Who We Are

Meet the Trailhead Team

Meet the passionate professionals behind every tail wag and purr—each one committed to treating your pet like family and making their well-being our top priority.

Dr. Kristopher Norris

Founder, Veterinarian

Tiffany Smith

Founder, Clinic Manager

Laura R.

Lead Veterinary Technician

Alicia R.

Veterinary Assistant

Ruby

Canine Operations Overseer

Locally Trusted

Proudly Serving the Billings Community

Trailhead is more than a name—it’s a reflection of where we are, what we believe, and who we serve. This clinic isn’t owned by a national chain. It’s owned and operated by two people who live in Billings, care deeply about its animals, and are proud to serve the people who love them.

Your Local Partner in Pet Health

If you’re looking for veterinary care that feels personal, honest, and rooted in your community—you’ve found your trailhead. From your first visit to every stage of your pet’s life, we’re here to offer guidance, support, and high-quality care you can count on.

Contact Us
See All Services

Dr. Kristopher Norris

Founder, Veterinarian

Dr. Norris was born in Gunnison, Colorado, and moved to Montana with his family at age 12. Before becoming a veterinarian, he served on the US Forest Service fire and trail crew, worked as an underground miner, and was an electronics technician on a US Naval aircraft carrier. Motivated by his lifelong love of animals and a desire to tackle challenges, he pursued a career in veterinary medicine, graduating from Colorado State University. Shortly after, he joined a high-volume, low-income clinic near Denver, where he performed over 2,000 TPLO surgeries with a 95% success rate—cementing his passion for orthopedics and soft tissue procedures. Now one of the few veterinarians in Yellowstone County specializing in orthopedic care, Dr. Norris brings critical expertise to the Billings market, backed by years of experience in both Colorado and Montana. Outside the clinic, he enjoys fly fishing, hiking, pack rafting, and cherishes time with his family and friends.

Tiffany Smith

Founder, Clinic Manager

Tiffany brings a lifelong love of animals and a passion for accessible care to her role as co-founder and Clinic Manager at Trailhead Veterinary Services. Born and raised in Billings, Montana, Tiffany took a brief detour to Bozeman, where she earned a degree in human services from Montana State University. While she’s always had a heart for helping people, it was clear early on that animals were where she truly gravitated. Over the years, Tiffany has explored that passion from all angles—spending time behind the scenes at ZooMontana, running her own small business, and eventually diving into the fast-paced world of animal shelters. There, she wore many hats over the years, from cleaning kennels and customer service, managing the medical team, helping develop public programs such as vaccine and spay/neuter clinics, while also leading efforts in community outreach, special events, and fundraising. When she’s not keeping things humming behind the scenes, Tiffany’s usually adventuring with her dogs or dreaming up her next travel escape.

Laura R.

Lead Veterinary Technician

Bio coming soon!

Alicia R.

Veterinary Assistant

Bio coming soon!

Ruby

Canine Operations Overseer

As Trailhead’s four-legged COO, Ruby oversees big-picture priorities like boosting team spirit, snack-time optimization, and enforcing mandatory belly rub breaks. When she’s not busy strategizing, Ruby is off hiking, swimming, and reminding everyone that joy is just as important as a job well done. She may not have a stethoscope, but she’s got a nose for adventure and a heart of gold(en retriever).