For Dr. Jayson Longoria and his wife, Crystal, the wild beauty of Montana isn’t just a picturesque backdrop—it’s the realization of a dream. After years of working long hours in bustling West Coast cities, where Dr. Jayson’s days were filled with fluorescent lights and corporate clinics, and Crystal’s role as a vet tech kept her tied to demanding schedules, the couple made a life-changing decision: they would trade city living for the wide-open spaces of Montana’s Big Sky Country.

Today, they are not just surviving in Montana—they are thriving. With their two young boys and their deep love for the land, they’ve turned a dream into reality on their own working ranch. But getting here wasn’t easy. They had to be resourceful, passionate, and ready to face challenges head-on.

Together, they built Last, Best Vet, a veterinary practice that reflects their shared values of compassion, community care, and hard work. The name, inspired by Montana’s nickname, "The Last Best Place," is a fitting tribute to the couple’s dedication to this special place—and to each other.

Building a Life and Practice From Scratch

Starting a practice in rural Montana came with its unique hurdles, but Jayson and Crystal were ready to tackle them together. With Jayson’s hands-on skills in carpentry and car maintenance and Crystal’s experience as a vet tech, they approached their new life with creativity and grit. Jayson’s vision for a mobile veterinary service was born out of necessity. Many people in rural Montana struggle to access veterinary care, and the couple wanted to find a way to bring high-quality, affordable service directly to their community.

They found their answer in an unexpected place: a retired ambulance at a local auction. Seeing the potential in the old vehicle, Dr. Jayson and Crystal turned it into a fully equipped mobile veterinary unit, giving the practice flexibility and mobility. It wasn’t just about building a clinic on wheels—it was about creating a lifeline for ranchers and pet owners in remote areas who would otherwise struggle to get the care they needed.

“I knew the ambulance could be something special,” Dr. Jayson says. “Montana is vast, and so many people can’t easily access care. This lets me bring the clinic to them—whether it’s an elderly couple with a sick pet or a family with a new puppy. It’s about meeting people where they are.”

A Shared Dream

For Crystal, being a part of this dream was about more than just supporting her husband’s vision. It was about creating a life where both of them could put their skills to use while raising their children in a community they loved. Crystal helps run the mobile unit, using her expertise as a vet tech to provide compassionate care alongside Jayson. The couple works as a team, often on the road together, ensuring that people in need get the care they deserve.

“It’s not just about the animals,” Dr. Jayson explains. “It’s about the people who rely on them. Whether it’s a rancher’s livelihood or a kid’s first puppy, I get to make a difference every day.”

Raising their children on a ranch has been a dream come true for both Dr. Jayson and Crystal. Their sons spend their days exploring fields, helping with chores, and learning the kind of life lessons only a ranch can teach. For the Longorias, the wide-open spaces of Montana are more than a backdrop—they are the foundation of the life they’ve always wanted for their family.

“This is the childhood I always wanted for my kids,” Dr. Jayson says, smiling as he watches his children play. “They get to grow up with animals, learn responsibility, and see what it means to truly invest in a community.”

A Future Built Together

Jayson and Crystal’s story is a testament to the power of pursuing a dream, not just individually, but as a team. Together, they’ve created something truly special in Montana. From the mobile veterinary unit that serves as a beacon of hope for those in need to the ranch that symbolizes hard work and community, their lives reflect the heart of what it means to build a future together.

“It’s not just about fixing a fence or fine-tuning a mobile clinic,” Jayson says. “It’s about building a life that we’re proud of, with our family and our community. And for us, that’s the best way to live.”

For those in Montana who see the Last, Best Vet ambulance rolling up their dirt roads, they know Jayson and Crystal aren’t just their vet and vet tech—they’re neighbors, problem-solvers, and friends. And for the Longorias, there’s no better way to live than in the place they’ve always dreamed of, together.