11/01/2026
Celebrating 10 Years at Our New Home: The Story of the Animal Clinic of Whiteford
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This year marks an incredibly special milestone for us. We are officially celebrating 10 years at our current facility at 2424 Whiteford Road!
While this modern space has allowed us to expand our diagnostic capabilities, upgrade our surgery suites, and comfortably welcome generations of local pets, the true heart of our clinic stretches back much further. As we celebrate a decade in our "new" home, I wanted to take a moment to look back and share the rich history that built the Animal Clinic of Whiteford into the trusted community staple it is today.
The Home Office Roots (1963–2016)
Our clinic’s story began over sixty years ago, in 1963, when the legendary Dr. Donald Wilson Merryman established the practice. Instead of a commercial storefront, Dr. Merryman opened his doors directly out of his personal residence. For 53 years, he ran a dedicated solo practice straight from his home office.
In the early decades, Dr. Merryman was a true country vet—splitting his time between performing surgeries in his house and making ambulatory farm calls to care for local cattle, horses, and dairy herds.
Over more than half a century, he became a pillar of the Harford and York county communities, known for his pragmatic approach, fair pricing, and deep respect for the human-animal bond.
Passing the Torch in 2016
I had the absolute privilege of working alongside Dr. Merryman during the final chapter of his remarkable career. Getting to know the families, understanding the unique needs of our community, and learning from a master of the trade was a transformative experience. When Dr. Merryman made the decision to retire at the age of 86 in 2016, I knew how vital it was to preserve what he had built.
I proudly took over the reins of the practice, stepping in as owner to ensure his clients and patients would never see a gap in the compassionate care they had counted on for decades.
A Decade of Growth at Whiteford Road
Shortly before Dr. Merryman's retirement, the physical practice transitioned from his home office to our beautiful, modern commercial space just down the road. Ten years ago, we opened the doors to this new location with a clear mission: to preserve the independent, small-town, family-oriented feel of Dr. Merryman's original practice while elevating the medical care we could offer.
Today, we operate under a simple, guiding philosophy inspired by Proverbs 12:10: "Created by God. Cared for by You. Loved by Us."
As an independently owned practice, we aren't bound by corporate quotas or rigid, one-size-fits-all medical templates. This milestone belongs to you just as much as it does to us.
Thank you for trusting us with your furry family members for the last ten years at our new facility—and for allowing us to carry Dr. Merryman's 1963 legacy proudly into the future.
Here’s to many more years of health, happiness, and wagging tails!
With gratitude,
Dr. Melinda Everhart, DVM
The Animal Clinic of Whiteford Team
