About Us
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A Tribute to Dr. Richard Barta
Dr. Richard Barta was raised in Red Cloud, Nebraska. He knew from the time he was in the eighth grade that he wanted to be a veterinarian. After high school graduation in 1962, he enrolled at Kansas State University and was accepted into the veterinary school in 1964, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1966 and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1968.
In 1967 he married the love of his life, Joy Yung, in Guide Rock, Nebraska. They have two sons named Darin and Travis.
After Dr. Barta graduated from veterinary school, they moved to Independence, Kansas, where he began his veterinary career working for Dr. Robert Hayes. Dr. Barta opened Barta Animal Hospital in January 1973 in a former automotive repair shop that he had remodeled. He built a new clinic in 1997. Dr. Barta grew his clinic from one doctor and two staff into today’s practice, which is now three doctors and eight staff. The Pet Shop, next door to the clinic, was opened in the late 1980s. An attraction at Dr. Barta’s clinic was his beloved pet monkey, Gizmo, who accompanied him to work every day for 26 years (pictured).
Dr. Richard Barta was raised in Red Cloud, Nebraska. He knew from the time he was in the eighth grade that he wanted to be a veterinarian. After high school graduation in 1962, he enrolled at Kansas State University and was accepted into the veterinary school in 1964, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1966 and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1968.
In 1967 at Guide Rock, Nebraska he married the love of his life, Joy Yung. They have two sons, Darin and Travis. After Doc’s graduation from veterinary school, they moved to Independence, Kansas where he began his veterinary career working for Dr. Robert Hayes. Doc opened Barta Animal Hospital in January 1973 in a former auto repair shop that he had remodeled. He built a new clinic in 1997. Dr. Barta grew his clinic from 1 doctor and 2 staff into the practice of today, 3 doctors and 8 staff. The Pet Shop, next door to the clinic, was opened in the late 1980s. An attraction at Doc’s clinic was his beloved pet monkey, Gizmo, who accompanied him to work every day for 26 years.
Dr. Barta's Accomplishments
- Life member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association
- Served on the Board of the K.V.M.A., District Representative (for four years), and Treasurer (for one year)
- Kansas Companion Animal Advisory Board (for four years)
- Kansas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (for eight years)
- Received the K.V.M.A. President’s Award in 2006
- Received the K.V.M.A. Distinguished Service Award in 2012 – This award recognizes a Kansas veterinarian for their participation and service to the K.V.M.A. and the veterinary profession
- Participated as a team member for the Student Admission Process at Kansas State University (for six years), interviewing prospective students for admission to veterinary school
- Instrumental in the start of AWOL, the local animal shelter in Independence
- Served as the attending veterinarian for the Riverside Zoo in Independence
- Spent many hours providing veterinary services at the temporary animal shelter in Coffeyville, KS, after the flood in 2007
- Volunteered at the Montgomery County Extension Animal Health Day
- Volunteered at the Montgomery County 4-H Fair and the Coffeyville, KS Interstate Fair and Rodeo, checking in livestock
- Participated in the Independence High School Career Day and also the Community Volunteer Program
- Served on the Advisory Board for the Independence Community College Veterinary Technology Program
His hobbies included raising cattle, flying, woodworking, traveling, scuba diving, camping, and riding 4-wheelers in the Colorado mountains in his spare time. Dr. Barta and his wife, Joy, hosted several foreign exchange students over the years, which resulted in taking many vacations to visit these students in their countries.
Our community was greatly saddened at the loss of our beloved Dr. Richard Barta on January 12, 2021. He was a man who loved all animals and treated them with care and compassion His spirit will live on as we cherish and honor his memory here in our clinic.
“I loved and saw to the healing of animals. They are who God put on this earth to show us joy, love, and contentment!”