A 1980 graduate of Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Eric Bollier grew up in a suburb of Kansas City known as Prairie Village. There, his love of animals was fostered through his many family pets – dogs, cats and guinea pigs.

"Between a love for animals, a strong interest in caring for and being around them, as well as my interest in the biological sciences, veterinary medicine was a natural fit for me," he says.

For the past 35 years, Dr. Bollier has been sharing his passion with clients and patients of Stiern Veterinary Hospital. He considers the relationships he has developed with them over the years a rewarding aspect of his career.

"Being able to effect a positive outcome in a challenging case has got to be one of the most rewarding aspects of my job," he says. "After all, keeping pets as healthy as possible is the main reason why I chose a career in veterinary medicine."

Dr. Bollier is a member of the American, California, Kern County and Sierra Veterinary Medical Associations and the Veterinary Information Network. He is a former officer of the Kern County Veterinary Medical Association and past member of the Bakersfield SPCA's Board of Directors and Advisory Board. His veterinary interests include general medicine and surgery, internal medicine and orthopedic surgery.

In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities such as cycling, fly-fishing, hiking, camping, snow-skiing and off-roading, as well as travel, concerts, photography, and local events. He has a smaller-than-average-sized hound dog named Ranger, who isn't very fond of cats – hence why he currently has none. He has two adult children, a son who is a firefighter and a daughter who is a horticulturalist.