It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Dr. Dean Rice. He passed away Thursday after a brave three-year battle with cancer. He was a valued and respected member of our family of AAEC since organized in 1997.

Dr. Dean Rice was a man who had one mission in this life: to be all that he is and continue to improve upon that every day of his life while helping others while on his journey through this life.  He was a friend, colleague, mentor, teacher, father, husband, and a highly successful veterinarian that shared his gift with others at every age level. His can-do attitude affected everyone that he met and worked with, and his presence significantly influenced everyone who came in contact with Dr. Rice and made you feel at ease and trust in his abilities.

His accomplishments are extensive, reaching both locally, nationally, and internationally. But he did not dwell on what he did but instead what he needed to get done today.

The family will be planning a “Celebration of Life”  sometime in the future, and information will follow at a later date.