About our Staff

John L. Smith, DVM

Graduated from Kansas State University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1969. Dr. Smith worked at Deschutes as a senior extern and returned after graduation to join the staff full time.
He and his wife, Lori, have raised two children. Dr. Smith is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Washington State Veterinary Medical Association (WSVMA), South Puget Sound Veterinary Medical Association (SPSVMA), and American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Dr. Smith's professional interests are small animal medicine, canine training and behavior. His pastimes are: fishing, collecting family photographs and history, gardening, and gourmet cooking. Dr. Smith is the current President of the Deschutes Animal Clinic.

John M. Flory, DVM

Graduated from Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1985. He and his wife, Kris, have two children. Dr. Flory is a member of the WSVMA, SPSVMA, American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners (AASRP), and Hoorah Horseshoe Tournament Champion. Dr. Flory's interests are small animal medicine and soft tissue surgery (removing stones from the intestinal tract or urinary bladder is his idea of a fun surgery). He enjoys gardening, building banjos for himself, and playing them at various small town/historical venues throughout the Puget Sound. He is also a renowned "wood-a-holic" aka a collector of figured and exotic woods.

Virginia S. Balius, DVM

Graduated from Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1982. She and her husband Mick live on "Nighthawk Acres" with 3 cats, a herd of 28 elk, coyotes, deer, and nighthawks. Dr. Balius is a member of the AVMA, WSVMA, SPSVMA, The American Rabbit Breeders Association, the American House Rabbit Society, and serves on the Board of Thurston County Animal Services. Dr. Balius' special interests are feline and rabbit medicine, and soft tissue surgery. She enjoys piano, landscape gardening, crafting, volksmarching, and cooking.

Larry E. Castle, DVM

Graduated from Oregon State University and Washington State University jointly in 1998 and enjoys both large and small animal practice. Dr. Castle takes a special interest in internal medicine and also enjoys working on small ruminants. He is a member of AVMA, WSVMA and ABP. His personal interests include motorcycling, fishing, gun sports, playing his bass guitar, and an occasional knock-um, sock-um, action packed movie.

Carol Hoaglund DVM

Graduated from Washington State University in 2003. She and her husband reside on a small farm with cats, chickens, goats and Daisy the cow. Dr. Hoaglund is interested in small animal and small ruminant medicine. She is a member of the AVMA and WSVMA. Dr Hoaglund joined the Deschutes Animal Clinic in 2005. She enjoys gardening, cooking and kayaking.