About Us

The Essex Middle River Veterinary Center has served the greater Baltimore area for over 50 years.

We have great pride in our legacy.  We have been and will always be committed to the well-being of our patients, the challenge of their illnesses, and the concerns of our clients.

Formerly known as Essex Dog & Cat Hospital, the Essex Middle River Veterinary Center changed its name in 2007 to better reflect our comprehensive approach to medicine, our state of the art hospital, and our new geographic location between Essex and Middle River.

Back to top

Hours

  • Monday–Thursday 7:30am–8:00pm
  • Friday 8:30am–6:00pm
  • Saturday (Open 1st, 3rd, 5th) 7:30am–1:00pm
  • Sunday Closed

Back to top

Doctors

Dr. Marvin J. O'Connell, DVM

Dr. O'Connell is originally from Waverly, Minnesota.  He performed his undergraduate studies at St. John's University, Collegeville, MN and the University of Minnesota.   He received his DVM degree from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.  Following veterinary school he proudly served as a U.S. Army veterinarian in the Vietnam War.

He shares his home with his wife and daughter, their golden retriever named Lucy, and two cats Gus and Nick.

Dr. O'Connell has recently gone into retirement and now enjoys more time with his family here in Maryland and in Minnesota. Although retired, he is still close by.

Dr. Joseph C. Zulty, DVM

Dr. Zulty is the owner of the Essex Middle River Veterinary Center.  He is born and raised in Baltimore.  He performed his undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland Baltimore County earning a BA in molecular biology.  He received his DVM degree, graduating Cum Laude, from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He ultimately completed a residency in comparative medicine at the University of Maryland at Baltimore School of Medicine.

He shares his home with his wife and three children, their two Boston Terriers Cowboy and Stella, and a cat named Jacob.  When not at work he's running the road and trails locally, snowboarding in Vermont, or backpacking in Latin America.

Dr. Anne Hicks, DVM

Dr. Hicks is from Cambridge, Maryland.  She attended Western Maryland College finishing with a BA in chemistry.  She received her DVM from the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, Virginia.  

She shares her home with her husband and two children. They have two Australian Sheperds, Abbey and Cassie.

Dr. Melissa Jones

Dr. Jones was born and raised in Catonsville, MD. She received her Bachelors degree in Animal Science from the University of Maryland at College Park then attended veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania. Immediately after graduation she worked at a small animal emergency clinic outside of Philadelphia. Much to her excitement, her fiance was recently tranferred back to Maryland permanently. They currently share their home with 8 furry children (1 cat and 7 ferrets).

Dr. Cathy Robertson

Dr. Cathy Robertson became an associate veterinarian at Essex Middle River Veterinary Center in July, 2011. After graduating with a BA in Biology with honors from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she attended veterinary school at Michigan State University (class of 2006). She had been working as a full time associate at a small animal practice outside of Detroit, Michigan since graduating.

She and her husband relocated to Baltimore where he is beginning a medical pathology residency at Johns Hopkins. Currently they have pet rats, but plan to get a dog. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, movies, and talking with friends and family.

Dr. Andrew Walther

Dr. Walther was born and raised in Catonsville. Shortly after graduation from high school he enlisted in the Army and became a Medical Specialist in the 82nd Airborne Division based in Ft. Bragg, NC.

After being honorably discharged from the Army, Dr. Walther returned to school and attended Catonsville Community College and later majored in chemistry at Northeastern University in Boston, MA.

Dr. Walther earned his DVM degree from The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia, and afterward completed an internship in equine medicine and surgery at The University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Walther practiced both general medicine and emergency medicine and surgery in Southern Maryland until 2010.

He shares his life with a beautiful daughter (Olivia), two cats (Timmy, Mow-Mow) and a Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Taz.

Personal interests include reading, music, and being outdoors (especially fly fishing in Maryland's Gunpowder River).

Back to top

Staff

Practice Manager

  • Tanya Andrews

Accounts Manager

  • Debbie Keen

Client Care Manager

  • Anita Fritz

Client Care Representatives

  • Sara Baker
  • Amber Horrocks
  • Jen Wright
  • Mary Zulty
  • Christina Priet

Technician/Kennel Manager

  • Monica Casey, RVT

Veterinary Technicians

  • Karen Comer, RVT
  • Connie Thomas, RVT
  • Lauren Moomaw, RVT
  • Nicole Schrack
  • Timea Molnar
  • Piper Sines
  • Kira Lutz, RVT

Veterinary Assistants

  • Jessica Cook
  • Jenine Gangi
  • Zack Kluttz
  • Autumn Matterson
  • Heather Mills
  • Arielle Shepherd

Back to top

Sorgen Conference Center

Sorgen Conference Center

The Sorgen Conference Center is a new state-of-the-art, multi-purpose meeting room available for business presentations, educational seminars, meetings, and staff retreats.

The Center is conveniently located off of I-695 just 15 minutes from downtown Baltimore. We offer a warm and inviting atmosphere with comfortable seating for up to 20 people. Internet access, a large viewing screen for presentations, and convenient off street parking make the center an ideal location to host your event.

Call 410-687-1111 for availability and a competitive price quote. Catering by Pappas Seafood can be arranged for an additional cost.

Back to top