Meet Our Team

Becky Prior, DVM

Veterinarian/Owner

Becky Prior received her Doctorate of Veterinary medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1997. Over the past 25 years Dr. Prior has practiced small animal medicine, surgery, and emergency and critical care in practices in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and Wyoming. Dr. Prior assumed ownership of Lifetime Animal Hospital August 1, 2013. She is the lead DVM of the practice and serves as the Veterinary Medical Director of the Lifetime Veterinary Medical Staff and Technicians who care for the patients of Cody and the surrounding communities in NW Wyoming. She also provides Small Animal Emergency Veterinary care for the community of Cody in partnership with other Cody Veterinarians.

Dr. Prior and her husband, Jim, have been married for over 20 years and have two adult children attending the University of Wyoming, Laura and Brendan.

Emergency On Call Veterinarian Partnerships

Lifetime Animal Hospital Partners with other Veterinarians in our Region to provide After Hours Emergency Services:

• Dr. Becky Prior
• Dr. Britt Whitt
• Advanced Care Veterinary Clinic

Tammy Satterthwaite, MBA, CMPE

Hospital Administrator

Tammy joined Lifetime Animal Hospital as the Hospital Administrator in 2024. Tammy received her Masters of Business Administration from John Brown University in 2009 and has worked as a Certified Medical Practice Executive in Clinical Practice for over 20 years. Tammy began her career as a Veterinary Hospital Administrator in 1998 changing careers in 2002 to Healthcare Executive leadership for OU Physicians in Oklahoma City, a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center in Casper, and as a Clinic Director and Executive in Cody and Sheridan, WY. Most recently Tammy and her family lived in Medford, WI where she served as a Regional Clinic Director for a large healthcare system. While in WI they spent time with kids and grandchildren. Making the decision to return to Cody, WY, Tammy has renewed her work in Veterinary Medical Leadership. Tammy is joined by her husband Rick, who is a Licensed Behavioral Counselor and her two children, Olivia, a student at the University of Wyoming and Zachary, a student at Cody High School.

When she is not working, Tammy enjoys singing at her church and spending time outdoors, walking and camping. Rick and Tammy are avid dog lovers and call Tucker, a Giant Schnoodle and frequent blood donor for critically ill canines, and Timber, an energetic English Springer Spaniel, as members of their family.

Tessa Baker, CVT

Clinic Manager

Tessa graduated from Hot Springs County High School in 2006 and went right into the United States Marine Corps, where she served 4 years and received an Honorable Discharge in 2010. After serving her country she became passionate about taking on a career as a Veterinary Technician. Tessa joined us in September 2014 while on her externship for her degree. She graduated from Pima Medical institute, Mesa, AZ in October 2014 with an Associates of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology. She became a full time employee with us in November 2014 and in April 2015 she became a Certified Veterinary Technician in the state of Wyoming. She has a strong passion for horses and in 2015 she became certified as an Equine Veterinary Technician as well.

She has been around animals her entire life, mostly livestock and horses. Growing up on a ranch in Thermopolis, WY she had to learn at a young age how to care for sick and injured animals. The fact that she can help an animal that can’t help itself gives Tessa a strong sense of purpose. She has had the pleasure and opportunity to assist in major orthopedic and prosthetic surgeries in horses with Dr. Ted Vlahos a local equine specialist and owner of Yellowstone Equine Hospital.

Tessa shares her life with her husband Joe and together they have 3 children. Their family also consists of 3 dogs and 4 horses. When Tessa isn’t working she is hunting, camping, riding horses, and practicing cowboy mounted shooting in her home arena.

Jim Prior

Co-owner/Controller

Jim and Dr. Prior have had animal hospitals in other parts of the country. We are happy that they settled in Cody, WY and created a wonderful place to work and care for animals. Jim majored in music and is also a student of foreign languages. In addition to overseeing Hospital Operations he is very involved in the Community of Cody where he serves as a worship pastor for a local church and where he lends his time to direct the Cody Chamber Ensemble. When he isn’t working, he enjoys listening to music and spending time with family and friends.

Olivia

Social and Media Marketing Coordinator

Tessa Baker, CVT

Lead Technician

Lydia

Veterinary Technician

Sierra

Veterinary Assistant

Ashley

Receptionist

Gemma

Receptionist

Olivia

Receptionist

Dan

Kennel Assistant

Casey

Kennel Assistant