He shares his home with his dear wife Kathy, and three dogs – Puma the 3-legged dog from the streets of Peru, Poppi the rescue on Prozac, and the most recent addition, Frankie, the Boston who rules everyone.
Caring vets, healthier pets: That’s been our promise to the Essex and Middle River community for more than 70 years. At Essex Middle River Veterinary Center, we combine advanced medicine with a compassionate touch, offering everything from preventive wellness to surgery, dentistry, and in-house diagnostics.
Our comprehensive exams, personalized vaccines, and preventive screenings (like parasite testing and vaccine titers) are tailored to your pet’s lifestyle and stage of life.
Our advanced imaging tools help us see the bigger picture, allowing for quick, accurate diagnoses so your pet can get the treatment they need without delay.
Healthy smiles and expert surgical care all happen here. From routine teeth cleanings to spays, neuters, cystotomies, and orthopedic procedures, your pet is always in experienced, compassionate hands.
Dr. Joe Zulty, Chief Medical Director and former owner of EMRVC, has been practicing for over 35 years. In 1988 he graduated from the Ohio State University School of Veterinary Medicine.
Following completion of a residency in Comparative Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, he began his career at EMRVC in 1993. Many years have passed, but he remains passionate about veterinary medicine.
His non-profit GeoVeterinary International has taken him to Cambodia, Peru, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and now to Baltimore where he, in collaboration with Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter, brings much needed veterinary care to communities and people in need. Veterinary medicine has indeed been good to Dr. Joe Zulty! It defines him.
He shares his home with his dear wife Kathy, and three dogs – Puma the 3-legged dog from the streets of Peru, Poppi the rescue on Prozac, and the most recent addition, Frankie, the Boston who rules everyone.
Dr. Anne Hicks has been a trusted member of the Essex Middle River Veterinary Center (EMRVC) team since 1995. A graduate of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, she brings decades of experience, a warm and thoughtful approach, and a deep passion for helping pets live long, healthy lives.
Her special interests include internal medicine and geriatric care—areas where she enjoys building strong relationships with both pets and their families, and guiding them through complex or chronic health concerns with compassion and clarity.
Above all, Dr. Hicks is committed to providing the best care possible for every patient she sees.old.
Outside of work, Dr. Hicks enjoys gardening, traveling, and taking long walks with her dogs: Coco the Westie, Nala the Australian Shepherd, and Milo the Shepherd/Husky mix. She also shares her home with Mr. K., a confident (and often opinionated) Domestic Shorthair cat who happily acts as the boss of the househ
Dr. Beizavi grew up in upstate New York’s Finger Lakes region. He attended undergraduate near home — earning a bachelor’s in biology from St. John Fisher College in Rochester — then attended Ross University of Veterinary Medicine.
He completed his veterinary education at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. He first worked at Banfield Pet Hospital, and came to EMRVC in 2013.
Dr. Beizavi’s professional interests include diagnostic imaging, geriatric care, and dermatology.
He spends his free time working out, golfing, kayaking and playing online games with friends. He has three cats and two dogs.
Dr. Franchini was born and raised in Harrisburg, PA but has lived in many different places throughout the US and overseas. She has been a practicing veterinarian since 2012.
She received her BS degree in Animal Sciences from the University of Illinois, her Master’s degree in biology from the University of South Carolina, and her veterinary degree from St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies, doing her clinical year at the University of Minnesota.
She settled in Baltimore, MD after coming here for her first job. She met her husband soon after and has remained here since! As much of a cliché as it sounds, Dr. Franchini had wanted to be a veterinarian for as long as she can remember, having had multiple dogs growing up and just having a love of animals in general. Dr. Franchini has a special interest in soft tissue surgery, neurology, and preventative care. She is excited to help clients’ pets live their best lives!
In her spare time, Dr. Franchini enjoys traveling, skiing, running, yoga, reading, and DIY projects. She and her husband Steve are the proud parents of a Goldendoodle named Nacho, who is also a therapy dog with Pets on Wheels, and a Blue Heeler named Trike. They are also owned by three cats: Isosceles, a mildly chunky but perfect DSH; Mr. Piggy, a needy Sphynx; and Bucket, a one-eyed beauty that was rescued and nursed back to health by the loving staff of EMRVC after being found on the side of the road (in a BUCKET) by a good Samaritan.
Dr. Stoll grew up in Carney, MD not too far from Essex Middle River Veterinary Center. She graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor’s degree in biology in 2012 while working full-time as a veterinary technician.
She continued working in the veterinary field for a few years, gaining experience, before attending Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed her veterinary education at Colorado State University and earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2022.
She started out as a doctor at Essex Middle River Veterinary Center before completing a small animal rotating internship at Hope Advanced Veterinary Center in Virginia, followed by practicing emergency medicine at Pet+ER in Columbia, MD. Dr. Stoll is thrilled to continue her veterinary career back at Essex Middle River Veterinary Center and is excited to continue to work with and learn from the doctors and staff.
Dr. Stoll’s professional interests include small animal cardiology, respiratory diseases, wound repairs, and geriatric medicine. Dr. Stoll spends her free time with her husband, Senor Sanchez (a little old chihuahua), Leo (a cute dachshund), and Oliver (a sweet fat cat).
Bio coming soon!
We’re at 1609 Eastern Blvd, Essex, MD, just minutes from Middle River and an easy drive from Baltimore.
We’re not a dedicated urgent care hospital, but we do our best to offer same-day appointments when we can. Call us as early as possible if your pet is sick or injured.
We do. Dr. Franchini is USDA-accredited and can help with both domestic and international health certificates, so you and your pet can travel with confidence.
Expect a warm welcome, a nose-to-tail exam, and plenty of time to ask questions. Bringing your pet’s records, a list of medications, and even their favorite treats can help them feel comfortable and cared for from the very start.
