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Muddy Creek Animal Hospital

Our mission is to provide comprehensive, high-quality veterinary care with an emphasis on exceptional client service and patient care. We center compassion and empathy in everything that we do to support the bond our clients have with their pets in a friendly and nurturing environment.

NEW CLIENTS

FIRST EXAM ON US!

This offer entitles any first-time pet parent to our hospital (“New Client”) a FREE EXAM for one pet. Offer contingent on purchasing other services / products, will not be applied if the dollar invoice for the visit is $0. Offer can only be redeemed one time at our location. Once a pet parent has redeemed the coupon one time, they cannot redeem the offer again. Offer excludes urgent care exams and emergency exams. Fees apply for any additional services, and/or medications as provided during the visit. Coupon must be presented at time of visit. Not valid with previous purchases. Limit one coupon per New Client. Pet parents must be 18 years or older. No cash value. Void where prohibited by law. Expires 5/31/25.

Why Choose Us?

We are dedicated to providing the highest level of care along with friendly, compassionate service.

Compassionate and Quality Care for your Pet

Same Day Appointments and Walk-Ins Welcome*

Served Over 10,000 Fur Babies and Their Happy Families

About Muddy Creek Animal Hospital

Hours:

Muddy Creek Animal Hospital has provided optimal pet care to our local community since 1988. Muddy Creek Animal Hospital is proud to serve families from West River, Shady Side, Deale, Churchton, Galesville, Lothian, Harwood, Edgewater, and the surrounding areas. We are a general practice specializing in dogs and cats.

At Muddy Creek Animal Hospital, our mission is to provide the best possible care to your pet by treating every animal as if it were our own. Our veterinary team takes an integrative approach to manage your pet’s health through preventative wellness care and advanced comprehensive medical treatments, including acupuncture, laser therapy, ultrasound, pain management, and surgery. Our veterinarians work with you to develop a treatment plan that works for you and your pet, no matter their life stage. We desire to support our clients’ bond with their pets in a friendly and nurturing environment by centering compassion and empathy in everything we do.

Service Offerings

  • Rabies Vaccine
  • Distemper & Parvo 5-in-1 Vaccine
  • Canine Influenza Vaccine
  • Leptospirosis Vaccine
  • Bordetella/Kennel Cough Vaccine
  • Lyme Vaccine
  • Feline 3-in-1 (FVRCP) Vaccine
  • Feline Leukemia (FeLV) Vaccine
  • Rattlesnake Vaccine 
  • Comprehensive Nose-to-Tail Exams
  • Diagnostics & Comprehensive Bloodwork
  • Early Detection & Disease Screenings
  • Oral Exams
  • Behavior & Anxiety Evaluations
  • Nutritional Consultations
  • Flea, Tick & Heartworm Protection
  • Heartworm & Tick-Borne Disease Testing
  • Deworming
  • Fecal Testing
  • Skin & Coat
  • Allergies
  • Ear Infections & Eye Conditions
  • Diarrhea & Vomiting
  • Pain, Limping & Lameness
  • Wounds (Including Abscesses, Bites, Lacerations & Puncture Repairs)
  • Change in Appetite
  • Excessive Drinking and/or Urination
  • Excessive Panting
  • Bad Breath, Fractured Teeth or Oral Trauma
  • Cancer Treatment
  • End-of-Life Care
  • Dental Cleanings & Extractions
  • Dental X-Rays
  • Mass Removal & Biopsy
  • Foreign Body Removal
  • X-Ray & Ultrasound
  • Spay & Neuter
  • Antibiotics
  • Skin & Ear Medications
  • Allergy Medications
  • Behavioral Medications
  • Pain Relievers
  • Anti-Inflammatories
  • Eye Medications
  • Anti-Seizure Medications
  • Cardiovascular Medications
  • Steroids
  • Antiparasitic & Dewormers
  • Mobility & Joint
  • Vet-Prescribed Supplements
  • Vet-Prescribed Diets

We Are Committed to Making Care Affordable and Accessible

One Chew. Six Parasites. Complete Peace of Mind.

Credelio Quattro is a monthly chewable tablet designed to protect against parasites – including tapeworms.

Ask us how to save $65 on 12 doses or $30 on 6 when purchased during your next visit. 

Flexible Financing for pet care

We accept the CareCredit pet, health and wellness credit card with flexible, budget-friendly financing options that allow you to pay over time for a range of treatments and services – including procedures, medications and more.*

Subject to credit approval. See carecredit.com for details.

Meet The Team

Testimonials

See Us in Action

FAQs

What are your hours?
Monday 7a-5p
Tuesday 7a-7p
Wednesday 7a-5p
Thursday 7a-7p
Friday 7a-6p
Saturday closed
Sunday closed

We are a small animal practice specializing in dog and cat care with over 30 years of experience.

To schedule an appointment, call our office at 410-867-0770.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, CareCredit, Scratchpay, All Pet Card, Cash, and Checks with a valid driver’s license. 

We do not offer payment plans; we require that payment be made at the time services are rendered. Other resources that may help with the cost of services are pet insurance, Care Credit, Scratchpay and All Pet Card. There are many companies that offer pet insurance. To find the best fit for you and your pet, we recommend talking to those companies directly. CareCredit is a card that can be used to pay for out-of-pocket expenses not covered by medical insurance. Learn more about CareCredit here.  

We do not work directly with pet insurance but can provide you with any records and invoices necessary for you to submit the claim now to your pet insurance company. Many companies offer pet insurance. We recommend reaching out to those companies directly to find the best fit for you and your pet’s needs.

Your pet should have a preventative wellness examination on an annual basis. During this exam, the doctor will do a thorough “nose tip to tail tip” exam, discuss any health concerns you have for your pet, administer any necessary vaccinations, and any other diagnostic or medical treatments. On average, pets over six years of age are considered “seniors,” We recommend exams twice a year. As animals age, their health can change rapidly in a short period. By having exams six months apart, your veterinarian can treat any medical concerns more quickly and effectively.  

The earlier a potential health concern is caught and addressed, the more likely it is to be treated and resolved with less expense or difficulty and a higher success rate. These annual or biannual exams are also the best time for our doctors to check in with you about any changes in your pet’s lifestyle and health status and adjust your pet’s healthcare plan accordingly. The more your vet knows about your pet, the more successful they can be in keeping your pet on track to have a healthy life.

Vaccinations are essential to preventative care and can significantly reduce or prevent serious illness and disease in pets. Many different vaccinations are available for dogs and cats, and a vaccine schedule that works well for one pet may not work for another. Each pet and the life they lead are different from one another. This is where our veterinarians come in-they will determine what vaccinations are appropriate for your pet based on their breed, age, lifestyle, and overall health status. Before receiving any vaccinations for the year, your pet must have an annual preventative wellness exam, even if you think your pet is healthy. We always want to ensure your pet is in good health before receiving any vaccinations to prevent adverse reactions.
Additionally, there are guidelines in place through State Veterinary Boards and Federal Laws that we have to follow that dictate when a pet must have an exam before vaccination or medical treatment. We know your top priority is caring for your pet; ours is too! We treat every patient as if they were our own.
 

Muddy Creek Animal Hospital offers a range of services to offer your pet’s best care, including annual wellness exams and vaccinations, parasite prevention, in-house pharmacy, diagnostic laboratory, radiology, ultrasound, acupuncture, cold laser therapy, surgery, and more. To learn more about the services we offer, visit the Services page. We are glad you have chosen us to care for your pet and offer the most advanced veterinary services to help ensure your pet has a long and healthy life with you.

We make every effort to accommodate requests to see the same veterinary staff at your pet’s visit, however, we are not always able to guarantee that the doctor or technician you want to see is working that day. Circumstances such as scheduling conflicts, emergency situations, and vacation schedules may change who is available each day. When your pet has a medical concern that is urgent, our staff would prefer to see your pet and treat the issue as soon as possible and this may necessitate an appointment with different members of our veterinary staff. We always encourage our clients to get to know multiple doctors so they are more comfortable knowing their pet is in good hands no matter who is caring for them. Rest assured that our doctors and medical staff are highly skilled professionals whose top priority is helping your pet live their best life.

Your pet is weighed at each visit, even if they come in just for a nail trim, because keeping track of your pet’s weight tells our doctors important information about their health over time. Often weight gain or weight loss (either suddenly or as a gradual trend over time) is one of the first indicators of a change in an animal’s health status that veterinarians use as part of their diagnostic tool kit.

We ask that every pet that comes into the hospital be either on a leash or in a carrier, no matter their level of training. Coming to the vet’s office is very different from your pet’s regular daily routine, with many new and unfamiliar smells, sights, and sounds that can cause even the best-trained animals to behave unpredictably. In addition, many other pets are coming in and out of the hospital, which can be quite a distraction! Every animal must be on a leash or in a carrier for your pet’s safety and to protect other pets and humans in the buildingIf you arrive at the hospital and do not have a leash or a carrier for your pet, let our staff know, we are happy to provide one during your visit.

We recommend every pet be spayed or neutered not only for their health but to also reduce the number of unwanted puppies and kittens. Spaying and neutering are beneficial for your pet’s health as the procedure can lower or entirely prevent the risk of several diseases and types of cancer. Problematic behaviors are often reduced or eliminated after a pet is spayed or neutered such as aggression, spraying, roaming, or crying. If you are unsure what age it is appropriate for your pet to be spayed or neutered, talk with one of our doctors. They can give you a recommendation based on your pet’s breed, age, and current health status.  

Although puppies and kittens are adorable and hard to resist, there is already a nationwide pet overpopulation problem. Nearly all animal rescues and shelters are bursting at the seams and unable to take in every pet in need, including unwanted litters of puppies and kittens. By choosing to spay or neuter your pet you are helping to reduce dog and cat overpopulation.  

These procedures are surgical and do require an animal to undergo anesthesia. The cost includes complete surgical care, including anesthesia, the medical team’s time and expertise, monitoring before, during, and after the procedure, surgical supplies, pain management, and hospitalization. Although the cost to spay or neuter may seem high, it is less expensive than caring for unwanted litters, pregnancy complications, or future health concerns from not having your pet spayed or neutered. Some pet insurance may help cover the cost of these procedures or there are other payment options such as Care Credit, Scratchpay, and All Pet Card.

We are always happy and able to send a copy of your pet’s vaccination and rabies records to a kennel or grooming facility. To request this just call or e-mail our office and let us know where you would like them sent, and either a good e-mail address or fax number for the facility.

 

Reach out to us. Although our veterinarians make every effort to diagnose and treat your pet during their visit, sometimes a successful treatment can be a multi-step process. Just like with humans, animal health is complex with many factors affecting your pet’s overall health and the likelihood of successful treatment. Muddy Creek Animal Hospital is here when your pet needs us the most, and we want to know if a medication or treatment is not working so we can find the right solution for them. If your pet’s medical concerns are not resolving, please call us so we can determine the best course of action; whether that entails further diagnostics and treatment, or having a conversation with our medical staff to put your mind at ease. You are your pet’s best friend and most important advocate.

By Federal law, veterinarians must establish a valid client-patient-doctor relationship before treating any animal or providing medication. Licensed veterinarians are the only people who can diagnose and treat animal illnesses. In order to make sure your pet is receiving the appropriate care and medication for whatever ails them, our veterinarians need to have examined your pet and determined the proper course of treatment and/or medication. Just like a physician is unable to prescribe medication to you without an established relationship and health examination, veterinarians also need to have an established relationship with their patients. If your pet has never been seen at our office, is overdue for an annual health exam, or experiencing a medical concern, call our office to schedule an appointment today.

YOUR PET’S

FIRST EXAM

ON US!

This offer entitles any first-time pet parent to our hospital (“New Client”) a FREE EXAM for one pet. Offer contingent on purchasing other services / products, will not be applied if the dollar invoice for the visit is $0. Offer can only be redeemed one time at our location. Once a pet parent has redeemed the coupon one time, they cannot redeem the offer again. Offer excludes urgent care exams and emergency exams. Fees apply for any additional services, and/or medications as provided during the visit. Coupon must be presented at time of visit. Not valid with previous purchases. Limit one coupon per New Client. Pet parents must be 18 years or older. No cash value. Void where prohibited by law. Expires 5/31/25.

Richard Roskell

FOUNDER

Rich Roskell boasts an impressive track record as a seasoned executive in the animal health industry, coupled with over two decades of overarching experience in healthcare. Throughout his career, Rich has spearheaded pivotal business development initiatives and led teams at well-known companies such as VCA Antech and Trupanion. With UVC during its inception, Richard played a pivotal role in charting its course for success by formulating a strategic blueprint that united founding members, private equity partners, and his wealth of expertise in steering enterprise-level animal health organizations. His passion lies in empowering veterinary professionals to devise innovative solutions, thereby enhancing patient outcomes and elevating the overall customer experience.

Michael Tuder, DVM

FOUNDER

Dr. Michael Tuder was born and raised in Jersey City, and after becoming a veterinarian, he returned to the area to begin practicing. A warm and caring veterinarian, Dr. Tuder has been practicing in Hudson County since 1982. He is always interested in advances in veterinary medicine; he trained and became a Fellow of Veterinary Laser Surgery. Dr. Tuder is an honorary Professor of Surgery at PHU National University, School of Veterinary Medicine in the Dominican Republic. He introduced the use of Laser surgery to the veterinary community there. Dr. Tuder is also accredited by the US Department of Agriculture for International Animal Transport and is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), and the NJ Veterinary Medical Association (NJVMA).

Dr. Tuder is married with two grown children and a grandson. In his retirement, he is enjoying the extra time to play golf, travel, and, of course, spend time with his family and moyen poodle, Winnie.

Matthew Lender, JD, LLM (Taxation), MBA, CPA

FOUNDER

Matt Lender was literally born into the veterinary profession; both his sister and late father are/were renowned veterinarians. Growing up around a successful veterinary practice, Matt went on to become a lifelong student of business, finance, and the law.

Matt earned his BA from McDaniel College with a double major in Economics and Business Administration. He went on to earn both an MBA and JD from Quinnipiac University School of Business and Quinnipiac University School of Law, respectively. Matt also earned a Master of Law (LLM) in Taxation from the University of Alabama School of Law. He is a licensed CPA in Maryland and Connecticut.

Coming back full circle to his beginnings in animal health, Matt effectively leveraged his business and legal training and his expertise as a financial services executive to build upon his father’s legacy, Orange Veterinary Hospital. Together with Dr. Scott Crawford, they grew that one hospital to 16 practices in a very short amount of time. From there Matt, Scott and Dr. Michael Tuder became the founding members of United Veterinary Care.

Scott Crawford, DVM

BOARD VICE-CHAIR & FOUNDER

Dr. Crawford has over 20 years of experience in the animal health space and an impressive track record of supporting the veterinary profession and veterinary practices across the United States.

Dr. Crawford graduated with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in North Grafton, Massachusetts. A true entrepreneur, Scott became a veterinary practice owner less than a year after graduation.

Always the champion for independent veterinary hospitals, he co-founded Veterinary Purchasing Group (VPG). With VPG, he built an animal hospital client base of over 3,000 independent hospitals in less than five years with over $300 million of industry purchasing power, helping local veterinary hospitals compete better in a rapidly changing landscape.

More recently, Scott and his partner, Matt Lender, amassed a group of 16 veterinary hospitals, which they leveraged to form United Veterinary Care (UVC). Together, he and Matt, along with Dr. Michael Tuder, became the founding members of UVC.

Steve Collins

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

Steve Collins joins UVC as the Chief Information Officer (CIO). In his role, Steve will work closely with shared service and hospital leadership to upgrade our digital capabilities and make secure all aspects of UVC technology. He will develop an Enterprise Architecture to optimize UVC PIMS systems, improve quality of service, reduce IT costs, improve cybersecurity, and set us up for continued growth.

Steve has over 25 years of leading institutions on developing distinctive IT capabilities across multiple industries. He brings a consultative approach from his consulting time as well as a practical and thoughtful investment approach from his time working with Private Equity companies. Steve’s calling card is working closely with the frontline to develop a compelling vision, developing the plan, and bringing the right clinical, operations and support teams together to execute the vision.

Prior to joining UVC, Steve led the digital transformation and establishing a shared service organization, for 4 years, as CIO at Great Expressions Dental Centers. He led the migration to a single PMS system across 300 locations, launched Teledentistry, introduced AI to improve diagnostic capability, and dramatically improved the data and advanced analytics capabilities. Prior to Great Expressions, he served as Chief Information Officer for Driven Brands and led technology and operational improvement at Burroughs, Marlin Equity Partners, PricewaterhouseCoopers, General Motors, Grainger, and Deloitte Consulting. Before Steve embarked on his professional career Steve served in the United States Marine Corps as a Signals Intelligence Analyst.

Steve and his wife Kim live in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan and his son David is in college. Steve enjoys the outdoors and working on various trucks the family owns.

Janice Brown

CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER

Janice joined UVC with 20+ years of experience in multi-site Human Resources with oversight of all things HR, Payroll and Talent Acquisition. Janice has spent most of her career in retail and healthcare, in which the last decade has been devoted to the veterinary field. Most recently she served in various HR leadership roles at Mars Veterinary Health including Antech Diagnostics, VCA, and Pet Partners. She has an immense passion for enhancing the lives and careers of veterinary professionals and aspires to ensure that UVC is the destination employer.

Janice is native to the Northeast, residing in upstate New York with her husband and young adult children. She has a beloved German Shepherd, Stella, and recently added two beautiful ginger kittens, Hazel and Violet, to the family.  Outside of work, Janice enjoys spending time in the beauty of the Adirondack Mountains, reading, traveling, cooking and decorating cakes.

Kristan Chesnut

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Kristan brings 10 years of public accounting experience, and most recently, Kristan was a partner at PwC’s Deals practice. Kristan also worked for 3M for eight years, where her roles included corporate development, business development and strategy, global business director, debt capital markets and global treasury operations. Kristan specializes in the health services, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences industries. Kristan lives in Minnesota, with her husband Jed, and two children, Maddie and Flynn. Outside of work, Kristan spends as much time as possible outside hiking and skiing.

Paula Bamford

Chief Operations Officer

Paula Bamford has joined our UVC team in the capacity of Chief Operating Officer. Paula has more than 20 years in building operational strength in organizations like UVC. Paula comes from Petco, where she spent the last 6 years as their operations leader building and managing 280+ Pet Care hospitals. In her role with UVC, Paula will work closely with Dr. Hutchins to rapidly build our operations capabilities so we can grow faster and profitably.

Paula comes to us with a demonstrated reputation for implementing and enhancing operational procedures and efficiencies in both public and private companies. Paula is a dynamic and persuasive communicator who is respected for establishing and sustaining loyal professional relationships. She is known as an inspirational leader and motivator with impressive emphasis on quality, accountability, and performance excellence.

Prior to joining UVC, Paula most recently led the Veterinary Services expansion at Petco, as the SVP of Vet Services and Retail Operations. She oversaw both the de novo and M&A growth of 280 GP Veterinary hospitals, 1,200 weekly vaccination clinics, and retail operations of 440 Pet Care Centers on the west coast. During her time at the helm of Veterinary Services she built the infrastructure of corporate support center and field operations in partnership with her Medical Operations counterparts. Prior to spending the past 6+ years with Petco she spent her first 17 in the convenience and fuel industry with Sunoco and global brand 7-11 in field operations and communications roles.

Paula and her partner, Keith live in a suburb of San Diego, and enjoy all that the outdoors of SoCal has to offer.

Rae Hutchins, DVM, DACVIM

Chief Clinical Officer

Dr. Hutchins has 23 years of experience in the animal health field, over 10 of which she spent practicing as a veterinarian and board-certified internal medicine specialist.

Dr. Hutchins received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from the University of North Carolina and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from North Carolina State University. She completed a rotating internship and small animal internal medicine residency at North Carolina State University and went on to become board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Dr. Hutchins served as Medical Director of a large, multi-specialty hospital for 3 years prior to transitioning into hospital operations. She maintains an adjunct faculty position at North Carolina State University and has 6 peer reviewed published scientific articles.

Prior to joining UVC, Dr. Hutchins served as Group Vice President at VCA’s Animal Hospital Division. In this role, she was responsible for promoting and coordinating streamlined operations to support and enhance the experience of teams in more than 100 general practice, hybrid, and specialty hospitals. She was previously the Chief Operating Officer for Pet Partners, a community of over 90 general practice and specialty hospitals across the U.S.

Dr. Hutchins joined the United Veterinary Care team in 2021, crediting a shared belief in empowering and supporting the incredibly resilient and talented people who make up the veterinary profession with drawing her to our organization.

Dr. Hutchins lives in North Carolina with her family, which always includes a rescued beagle! When she’s not working, she enjoys paddle boarding and sharing her love of the outdoors, music, and animals with her family.

Joseph M. Garcia

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Joseph M. Garcia has a broad range of healthcare experience. Over his career, Joseph has led teams at high growth provider-based healthcare companies.

Previously, Joseph was the Chief Executive Officer at Gastro Health. Over the course of six and a half years, Gastro Health grew from 60 physicians in one state, to nearly 400 physicians and 200 advanced practitioners in seven states. This growth allowed Gastro Health to recapitalize in 2021 and partner with OMERS Private Equity. Previously, was the CEO at Sage Dental. While at Sage, Joseph oversaw the rapid expansion of the group from twenty, to over sixty practices in Florida and Georgia. Prior to Sage, Joseph was the Chief Operating Officer at 21st Century Oncology, which he helped to grow into the largest provider of Radiation Oncology in the United States and Latin America. Prior to Joining 21st Century Oncology, Joseph was a Division Vice President at DaVita. At DaVita, Joseph honed his multi-site experience and recognized the power of culture. Prior to DaVita, Joseph was a Vice President of Operations at Sterling Healthcare, iHealth Technologies and Vivra Specialty Partners.

Joseph has a BSBA and M.B.A. from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.