Dr. Gene Stine developed his strong affinity for animals at an early age. Growing up on an Ohio beef and dairy cattle farm provided Dr. Stine with ample opportunities to care for a wide array of animals. His ten year participation in 4H activities led to the development of his own award winning herd of black angus cattle who were shown at local and state fairs. Throughout his childhood, Dr. Stine won numerous awards for athletic and academic excellence.

Passing up several athletic scholarships, Dr. Stine enrolled in the University of Cincinnati's College of Pharmacy. There he won the prestigious Rexall award for outstanding academic achievement. Throughout his college years, Dr. Stine worked with several mixed practice veterinarians on weekends and during the summer. These experiences led him to the realization that his passion for animals was lifelong and to the decision to enter Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine. To pay for his education as well as broaden his knowledge of human and animal drugs, he worked as a pharmacist in both retail and hospital settings.

Upon graduation from Ohio State, Dr. Stine moved to North Carolina to practice small and large animal medicine. There he developed a keen interest in surgery and honed his proficiency in complex orthopedic and soft tissue procedures. His equine work led to his ownership of a large quarter horse breeding farm whose horses were shown on the AQHA circuit.

In 1982, Dr. Stine moved to Gainesville to specialize in small animal medicine. Eventually, he opened his own practice, Countryside Animal Hospital. Dr. Stine and his wife, Pam, live in High Springs and are owned by their beloved Maine Coon cats and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Dr. Stine remains active in research on health and genetic issues related to the Cavalier breed. When not at Countryside, Dr. Stine enjoys traveling, bicycling, reading, working out and college sports.