Dr. Justin Ripka, DVM

Justin Ripka was very excited to join Steamboat Animal Hospital at the beginning of 2021. He attended Washington State University for both his undergraduate studies as well as for his veterinary education. This is where he met his future wife (another Dr. Ripka!) and he spent many years exploring the Palouse and beyond. In 2009 he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and began to work in the Olympia area.

Growing up with animals his whole life, he was instilled with respect and compassion for animals and decided that he would be a veterinarian when he was 5 years old. He feels very blessed that his dream was able to come to fruition and is excited to help pet owners care for their furry friends with the best care possible. Dr. Justin Ripka’s interests in veterinary medicine lay in small animal dentistry, internal medicine and surgery. Dr. Ripka finds that the most important part of his work is to work with owners to help form an individualized plan to help treat and prevent health problems. He does not believe in cookie-cutter medicine and realizes no two situations are the same.

In his spare time, Dr. Justin enjoys cooking, backcountry skiing, brewing, exploring the outdoors, and  spending time with his wife, son and daughter. He is also an active volunteer and President of Covenant Creatures, an Olympia-based non-profit focused on providing veterinary care to the low-income in our community. Justin has been active in the international community in veterinary relief trips and mission work to Haiti, Honduras, Thailand, and Mongolia and hopes to continue this service into the future.