Best Veterinarian

Dr. Grant Nisson,

Muddy Creek Animal Hospital

When Bay Weekly’s editor-at-very-large Moe is feeling punky, he takes our readers’ recommendation and visits Dr. Grant Nisson at Muddy Creek Animal Hospital.

Dr. Nisson has been practicing veterinary medicine for 28 years. Originally from Rockville, Nisson began his career in Southern California, until the lure of home brought him back to Maryland. His uncle, once a baker at the old Pat’s Bakery on Deale-Churchton Road, told him the community needed a vet. He and his wife Debbie came, saw and stayed.

“Southern Savings bank gave us the loan to start the practice,” Debbie tells Bay Weekly. “We started the practice on September 30, 1988 at 7:15 in the morning.”

The practice has grown since those early days, but Dr. Nisson still practices old-fashioned pet doctoring. He still makes house calls.

“We make house calls for people who need them,” Dr. Nisson says. “People who aren’t mobile or who have animals that don’t do well in the clinic setting. Sometimes they have so many animals it makes more sense for me to go to them.”

A poster hangs in one of his examining rooms, summing up his love and respect for his patients: “A dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative.”

“I’m honored but surprised by the recognition,” Dr. Nisson tells Bay Weekly. “We try to do a good job, and I’m happy that our patients think so too.”

Woof.

Muddy Creek Animal Hospital, 5518 Muddy Creek Rd., West River: 410-867-0770: www.muddycreekanimalhospital.com