Dr. Bill Niederee’s defining career moment came when he was an 8-year-old Cub Scout in Great Bend. On a tour of the former Weaver Veterinary Hospital (now Ark Valley Hospital), “I remember seeing the cages with the sick dogs, and I wanted to help.”

Today, along with dogs, he helps other small and large animals at Countryside Veterinary Associates, 2900 N. Main St., Great Bend. It provides a wide range of in-house veterinary medical services for Barton County and surrounding counties.

The clinic’s Main Street location has a long-standing history with the community as well. The building was built in 1947 by Dr. Reynolds as Reynolds Veterinary Hospital. It was renamed Schrader Veterinary Hospital, for Dr. Jerry Schrader, in 1959.

It was renamed again in 1967 as Countryside Veterinary Associates. Dr. Niederee bought the location from Dr. Schrader in 1994.

Hometown again

Dr. Niederee graduated from Great Bend High School in 1977. His college experience includes a 1987 bachelor of science degree at Kansas State University. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree in 1989.

After spending two years at a multi-doctor practice in Scott City, he returned to Great Bend, where he joined with Dr. Schrader’s practice at CVA. 

On the farm, Dr. Niederee and his wife Robin, a Larned native, have three daughters: Kaitlyn, Allison and Sarah. As expected, a number of dogs, horses and countless farm cats complete the rural veterinary experience.

Sharing the dream

In Niederee’s practice, mentoring has a big role. In addition to using good old-fashioned know-how and advanced technology to care for animals, Countryside Vet also encourages young people by providing part-time jobs.

“This is a good place for teenagers to work because they learn all the necessary office skills and how to meet the public,” Dr. Niederee explained. “We are a doctor’s office, emergency room and pharmacy all rolled into one; they learn about all of it. But there also is the emotional side of the job. We all get attached to the animals and have great empathy for families with a sick pet.”

Countryside Vet personnel regularly volunteer their time and talents to many groups, including the Boy Scouts, 4-H and the Humane Society. They also are involved in Kids’ Ag Day for Barton County fourth graders, the Health Fair for sixth graders, and numerous career days for high school students. 

New experiences are important, Niederee notes.

At last month’s Barton County Ag Day, Dr. Niederee invited a group of fourth graders to smell the handful of silage he was carrying, and shared a laugh with them. 

The life of a local veterinarian is animal-centered, but also people oriented, he said. The CVA website continuously posts notices of temporarily-lost family pets, and rejoices with the owners when they are found.

“I remember that tour at the vet hospital and what it meant to me when I was a kid,” Dr. Niederee said. “So I want to offer the same opportunities. We encourage kids to follow their dreams. If somebody doesn’t tell you that you can do it, you might not even try. We want to help plant the seed.”

Community Connections is a regular feature of the Great Bend Tribune, showcasing people who live in the Golden Belt. We welcome readers to submit names of individuals who are active in the community that they would like to see featured in a future story. Send suggestions to news@gbtribune.com and explain their “community connections.”