Serving Clarksburg since 2004, Clarksburg Animal Hospital is now owned by Steven Rapp, DVM, and remains dedicated to caring for dogs and cats.
Clarksburg, MD (PRUnderground) November 13th, 2026
Clarksburg Animal Hospital, one of the first businesses to open in the growing Clarksburg community, has entered a new chapter under the ownership of Steven Rapp, DVM. Dr. Rapp assumed ownership in August 2026 and will continue to practice from the hospital's longtime home at 23321 Frederick Road, preserving the independent, veterinarian-owned model that has defined the practice for more than two decades.
Continuity of care was central to the transition. Clients will find the same location, phone number, and familiar faces at the front desk and in the treatment area, with patient records and medical histories carried forward intact. Dr. Rapp personally sees every patient, ensuring that each family's relationship with the hospital is with the veterinarian who owns it and is accountable for its standard of care.
Dr. Rapp graduated from veterinary school in 2018 and brings more than eight years of clinical experience to Clarksburg. He spent nearly six of those years at Olney-Sandy Spring Veterinary Hospital, also in Montgomery County, where his practice centered on the two areas of medicine he values most: preventive care and the long-term management of chronic disease. He chose Clarksburg deliberately: a community where the veterinarian can know the families who walk through the door, and a practice with the history and independence to let him care for their animals throughout their lives.
"Ownership means accountability," said Steven Rapp, DVM, owner of Clarksburg Animal Hospital. "When a family brings their pet to this hospital, they are placing their trust in me directly, and I take that personally. I sought out this practice because I wanted to be responsible for the medicine, the relationships, and the outcomes. That responsibility is exactly what I find most rewarding about veterinary medicine."
Clarksburg Animal Hospital sees dogs and cats exclusively, and the practice is designed around that focus. Appointments run thirty minutes, roughly double the industry norm, giving the veterinarian time to examine thoroughly and the patient time to settle. Handling follows low-stress, Fear Free principles, and when a pet is known to find visits difficult, calming medication is sent home ahead of the appointment rather than after a stressful one. A practice that has learned to be gentle enough for cats brings that same patience to every dog it sees.
The attention to feline care is intentional. Cats receive less veterinary care than dogs on average, less because owners care less than because the visit itself is hard on the animal, and a single difficult experience can stretch a yearly exam into three. Cats are also adept at concealing illness; kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and dental disease all develop quietly and are far more manageable when found early. Dr. Rapp, who shares his home with four cats, is a member of the Feline Veterinary Medical Association, a Cat Friendly certified practitioner, and is working toward board certification in canine and feline practice through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. He has a particular interest in complex feline cases, including senior cats managing several conditions at once.
The hospital provides comprehensive care for dogs and cats, including wellness examinations, vaccinations, and preventive medicine; evaluation and treatment of common illnesses such as dermatologic and ear conditions, allergies, gastrointestinal upset, respiratory symptoms, lameness, and masses; long-term management of chronic conditions including diabetes and Cushing's disease; therapeutic cold laser treatment; and health certificates for travel.
Dr. Rapp's clinical philosophy places equal weight on prevention and on client understanding. "Much of what we accomplish in this profession is keeping problems from ever developing," he said. "When a concern does arise, my commitment is that every client leaves with a clear understanding of what we found, what their options are, what each option involves, and what I would choose for my own animal. An informed owner is a pet's best advocate."
That commitment extends beyond the exam room. Clients who email the hospital hear back from Dr. Rapp himself, typically the same day, and he personally follows up on laboratory results as they return. "Your dog will be well cared for here," Dr. Rapp said. "Your cat will be understood."
Current and prospective clients are invited to schedule a visit and meet Dr. Rapp. To learn more or request an appointment, visit the hospital's page for a veterinarian in Clarksburg, MD, or call 301-482-2535.
Clarksburg Animal Hospital is an independently owned veterinary practice located at 23321 Frederick Road, Clarksburg, MD 20871. Devoted exclusively to dogs and cats, the hospital provides wellness, sick-patient, dental, laser therapy, and chronic disease care throughout Clarksburg, Germantown, Boyds, and surrounding Montgomery County communities.
