Dr. Gaines starts from scratch By J1 Reporter Ally Ravnsborg
Growing up, most people have an evolving picture of what their future looks like. At a young age most children dream of being a rock star, doctor or astronaut. Most of the time, these dreams will stay just that, dreams. However for Dr. Joey Gaines, the dream of becoming a veterinarian started from the age of 4 and never faltered. While attending high school, Gaines was tasked with writing an autobiography that included her past but also her possible future. She wrote that she wanted to own her very own clinics, which soon became her reality. After attending Millard South High School and Salina Central High School, Gaines felt prepared to enter into undergrad at Kansas State University. After making it through undergrad, she went straight into vet school and received her doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1999. While attending high school, Gaines met her life partner, Adam Gaines, and they married in May of 1997 while attending college. Getting a degree while starting a life together may be hard for some people, but the couple managed to find a way and started their family soon after in 2000. Before her first child was born, Gaines decided to move back to Omaha because she previously knew it as home, and it was in close proximity to her parents, which
was a major factor in her decision. Once she returned to Omaha, Gaines didn’t wait to continue making her dreams a reality. Just a year after her first child was born, Gaines opened the doors of Ridgeview Animal Hospital. It is located at 180th and Center. By 2003, Gaines hired two full time vets. Today Ridgeview has a staff of 6 female doctors. In her early career, Gaines found it difficult to be confident and find the perfect work-life balance because, “I was just trying to start a family and do a really good job,” said Gaines. Finding this balance, she admits, is still a struggle today. Seven years after starting her first practice, Gaines opened Walnut Creek Veterinary Clinic with Dr. BJ Ravnsborg, the only male doctor in the practice. The Walnut Creek Clinic is located in Papillion. The two also opened Skyline Veterinary Clinic, in 2016, further growing the business to the Elkhorn area. This
clinic also employs 5 female doctors on its staff. The most recent addition to the family is The Ridge, which was opened in April of 2021. It is located at 150th and Center. The Ridge is another practice that belongs to the family and also employs a full female doctor staff. Through building all of these clinics, Dr. Gaines considers the team she has built to be her greatest accomplishment. She also considers the opportunities that are given to her employees to climb the ranks to be a major accomplishment. Being a veterinarian is very important to Dr. Gaines. By building a relationship with her clients, she finds that connecting with them is her favorite part of the job. When generations of clients come in, Dr. Gaines said, “I just have so many clients that want to come in and talk to me…I love that family relationship.” Gaines recognizes many qualities that help her to be the best mother and businesswoman possible. She identifies that she is a good multitasker, or-
“Let that stuff go... you don’t have to be at everything and be in charge of everything.”
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ganized, and an overachiever. She is eager to learn which helps her become a better veterinarian by learning the newest procedures and techniques to best help animals in need. One of the most innovative ways that Dr. Gaines is able to help her clients by entrusting them to Dr. Michelle Beck who was the first Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) in Nebraska. Gaines recommends that juniors in high school, “Let that stuff go...You don’t have to be at everything and be in charge of everything and always get 100% on everything.” She recognizes that it can be very hard to determine what your priorities are. Students should also know, “what you’re working towards is going to be able to pay off your debt and you’re going to be able to survive on it” Gaines said. The people who influenced Gaines to become the person she is today, were her parents. They were excellent role models and exhibited many good qualities. Her parents always set a good example by demonstrating a good work ethic and being very independent. By setting a good example, her parents helped this truly inspirational person grow and become a leader to many. Gaines followed her dream to become a veterinarian which continues to inspire people every day.
