About Bear Country USA

Founder & Family

Doc Casey was born in Mitchell, S.D. He attended Carroll College in Helena, Mont., and graduated in pre-dental. He completed his dental education at Creighton Dental School in Omaha, Neb. Doc practiced dentistry in Rapid City for 30 years. After opening Bear Country U.S.A in 1972, he continued to practice dentistry on a limited basis. He retired from his practice in 1992 to devote all of his time and effort to the wildlife park.

Pauline Casey was born in New York City, and grew up in the Los Angeles area. She graduated from Mount Saint Mary's College in Los Angeles with a degree in nursing. She practiced public health nursing with the Los Angeles County Health Department in the Watts District. Pauline came to South Dakota in 1958 working as a public health nurse with the Pennington County Health Department. She also practiced as a staff nurse with the Rapid City School System and as a nursing education assistant in public health with South Dakota State College.

Doc and Pauline married in 1959 and opened Bear Country U.S.A. in 1972. They have seven children: Kevin, Dennis, Brendan, Sean, Shannon, Michael and John. They also have fifteen grandchildren. The entire Casey family is involved with the operation and management of Bear Country.