End of Life Care

As loving pet parents, we’d all love to see our animal companions live as long as we do. Unfortunately, these precious souls are only with us for a finite amount of time. It’s important that we take the appropriate measures to make sure that the end of that time is spent as comfortably as possible.

The end-of-life care services at Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic are designed to help extend those final days while also relieving pain and minimizing suffering. We understand that, as difficult as it is to say goodbye to a loved one, deciding when to do so can be even more challenging. Our compassionate staff will be there to explain options and support you in those tough decisions.

To further ease this difficult time, we offer cremation services on-site. We will handle your pet’s remains with care and respect, ensuring that you can focus on remembering and honoring their life.

Are you struggling with end-of-life decisions for your elderly or terminally ill pet? Perhaps you just have questions about how hospice care works or whether it would be a good fit for your situation. In either case, we encourage you to pick up the phone and give Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic a call. We’re here to help make this difficult time a little bit easier.

Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic

1571 E. Hwy 44
Rapid City, SD 57703
t: 605-342-7498
Also serving Black Hills, SD and surrounding areas.

Working Hours

Monday-Friday 7am-7pm
Saturday 7am-5:30pm
Sunday Closed

    
 
 
       Posted on Yelp  
   
   G L. 
 
 
 
   The team at Dakota Hills Vet Clinic is wonderful! We stopped here while out of town with a sick pup (eye infection and respiratory issue) and they were so kind and caring. We got everything we needed without having to pay an arm and a leg. Dr Jordan Stratman made sure we understood everything that was going on and made suggestions of other non-prescription things we could do to offer our pup relief. Services were thoroughly explained before being performed and we were even able to get monthly medication we had forgotten to bring with us. They even coordinated with our home vet to review the record and fully understand the medical history. Excellent service and very thankful to have found them!
  
 
      Posted on Yelp  
   
   Christa M. 
 
 
 
   Dixie had an issue develope all of a sudden while we were at the truck stop in town on a Saturday. I called Dakota Hills and they got her in & didn't charge an emergency fee. Her issue was just an inflamed eye. The people here were so nice and caring. Definitely recommend them, if your pets are in need of a vet in this area to check them out.
  
 
      Posted on Yelp  
   
   Paul W. 
 
 
 
   The best vet in town.  We have been bring our pets to Dakota Hills and they have been getting the best care.  Dr Stonecipher and staff have took care of our dog throughout it's life; leg injury rebuild at age 8 and later years around 12 when going blind after developing diabetes and cushions disease. Daisy is still active around home at age 14 1/2.  He and staff have took care of daughter's chinchilla's Lotti and Azazel during their many times of needing care.  Azazel with it's many visits taking care rehabbing it's left back leg has been great care and attention.  The office staff and facility hours have accommodating to the many times our pets have needed care.  Evening and weekend hours have assisted us also around our busy schedules.  Thanks for all you do and the compassionate care to our pets. Paul, Barb, Amanda Warren
  
 
      Posted on Yelp  
   
   Rita D. 
 
 
 
   Can't say enough good about our experience at Dakota Hills today! Abra and Dr Shipman were so loving and gentle with our 14-yr-old Chihuahua mix. We just arrived from Oklahoma yesterday for a 5-day camping trip outside of Custer.  Apparently, our pup tweaked her knee after being spooked as we were hiking, and she can't put any weight on that back leg. We called this morning, and Emma was very kind, efficient, and able to give us an appointment right away. They had a steady stream of local patients, so we were grateful our girl could be seen, especially on a holiday weekend. They were thorough, knowledgeable, and very fairly priced.  Would highly recommend this vet practice!
  
 
      Posted on Yelp  
   
   Lise V. 
 
 
 
   Just the best place: staff, doctor, the building itself are all top notch. We were tourists in town for a few days, and were concerned about our lab's ongoing ear infection. She's been seen twice by our vet back home, we just needed to make sure we weren't backsliding. We got an appointment the same day, saw Dr. Shipman who examined her thoroughly, and discussed what to do, what to look for, possible options about future treatment etc.  great bedside manner.  Couldn't be more pleased.
  
 
      Posted on Yelp  
   
   David J. 
 
 
 
   Five years later.   A friend needed a vet and went to "one that was closest."    That clinic had two vets and one vet he felt was not very compassionate.   I told him about this place and how they had four  very nice vets.  I also mentioned the Animal Hospital certification and as I mentioned that I thought I had better confirm my facts.   Yup.   Five years later and there still are only TWO vet clinics in all of Rapid City that are certified as animal hospitals. ( Like hospitals for people,  there are a set of standards that have to be met.)   I have never had a problem getting my Chihuahuas in to be seen.   A routine appointment is usually within a week and an urgent one is less than a day.   They have recently remodeled the place and it looks great and is always very clean.   Staff is friendly and helpful.

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End of Life Care

Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic