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.

Jennifer Dike, DVM

Graduated from the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2007 and has spent the last few years traveling and working in the western states and abroad.  Dr. Dike enjoys both large and small animal medicine, and is quite experienced in sheep obstetrics.  She is a member of AVMA, AASRP, and AABP.  Her personal interests include hiking, backpacking, and biking, and she is looking forward to exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Kristin Ripka, DVM

Graduated from Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009. She is a member of the AVMA, WSVMA, Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians, and the American Association of Feline Practitioners. She and her husband, Justin, enjoy spending time outdoors, doing vet working internationally (such as Honduras) and playing with their dog Chester. Dr. Ripka is interested in small animals, including pocket pets, and she enjoys internal medicine and soft tissue surgery.