DR. Philip Stine DVM

Gene Stine was a great person and a great Veterinarian. Sorry for the loss.
Todd Steinman

Dr. Stine hired me into my first job in animal care when I was just 16 years old, eventually training me as a veterinary technician. When I unexpectedly changed my career path in 2002, he supported me through the process. Thank you, Dr. Stine for dedicating your life to caring for countless pets throughout your storied career, including the many law enforcement working dogs from multiple agencies, including the Alachua Police Department. You are a legend in the business and will be missed by many. 

Jesse J. Sandusky
Chief of Police
Alachua Police Department 

I was shocked and saddened to hear about Dr Stine's passing. Dr Stine hired me shortly after my graduation and we spent the next 16 years working together.
Dr Stine was an excellent mentor and I was able to develop my confidence, as well as my diagnostic and surgical skills, under his patient tutelage. I will miss his practical approach to veterinary medicine and the good-natured jokes we shared over the Florida – Ohio State rivalry. Oh, excuse me, THE Ohio State.
Pam, I hope you know that Andy and I will be thinking of you and hope you are surrounded with friends and loved ones at this heartbreaking time.
RIP Dr Stine, and say "hello" to George from me.
Love,
Trysh Hamilton, DVM

My elderly dog became ill and it was clear it was time for me to let him go. I called my vet of 12 years to see if they would come to my house to put him down as he was in a great deal of pain and to move him would have been excruciating for him. They said no. I was heart-broken. My friend, Guy Webster, told me to call Gene Stine. He said he would come to my house. But, I said, he didn't even know me or my dog…I couldn't believe he would come when my own vet wouldn't. But I called, he said of course, and he came to my house a few hours later. His compassion and gentle manner won my heart and he became my vet for the next 20 or so years until he retired from Countryside. I even drove from Jacksonville for the 4 years I was there because I wanted my dog to be in his loving hands. He was a remarkable man and gifted vet and I will never forget his kindness and compassion for my fur babies and for me. I pray you will find some peace and solace in knowing how loved and respected he was. He will always have a very special place in my heart. RIP, Dr. Stine.

When I found out recently that Dr. Gene Stein had passed away, I felt like the best Veterinarian I had ever known was lost to us all forever. It was already hard dealing with the fact that he had sold his life’s business, Countryside Animal Hospital some years ago. I’ve been having problems dealing with that to begin with for some years now. The animals were his life’s passion. I remember when I first met Dr. Stein. I had been bringing my little dachshunds to Dr. Yoho since I moved to Ft. White in 1981 and he eventually started using the old Dr. Calderwood office just south of Alachua. He and his partner preferred to work with large farm animals and they hired Dr. Stein who was new from Ohio to work the office for small animals. We made a fast friendship since I’m from Ohio myself. As we got to know each other, I told him I worked at the 1st National Bank of Alachua. He said he wanted to open his own animal hospital. I encouraged him to apply for a loan at my bank. To my sadness my bank president turned his loan request down. I’d never been so sad or embarrassed to ever say where I worked again. I never encouraged anyone to apply for a loan at that bank again. I was so angry with the bank president. In the end I feel Dr. Stein got his revenge and so did I. He built up the best animal hospital in this area that there has ever been. And years later the bank president and his wife got one of there daughters a puppy and the wife ask my opinion of a good Veterinarian…and of course I recommended Dr. Stein. And she loved him. Eventually, Dr. Stein helped me out enormously because I ended up with a endless supply of cats and dogs. When you live in the county as I do, you get a lot of unwanted animals that city folk dump here in the woods. If the Vet office hadn’t gone digital my animal portfolio would probably be 3-4” thick. Everyone got a check-up and shots, neutering or spading right off the bat with Dr. Stein. When I would get too over loaded with animals he would help me find good homes for some of them. Dr. Stein was a God send to us all here in the area to care for all our little pets. He loved them as much as we did ourselves. I know that we all miss him greatly. I know I do and always will. I know where Dr. Stein will forever be. Gods Angels carried him to be with Him forever in Heaven.

We are saddened to hear about Dr. Stein’s passing. He was the best veterinarian and no one else could compare to him. I have yet to find another Dr. like him with his compassion, kindness and love of animals. Condolences to his family and and again so sad to hear this news. Suzanne Carson and Dennis Smith