Easton, MD Veterinarians
Donna Nizolek, DVM
Dr. Donna Nizolek was raised in a farmhouse in northern New Jersey across from a breeder of Old English Sheepdogs, and just down the road from a Brown Swiss dairy and a quarter horse farm. She grew up with two cats (Pinky Dinky and Puff), an Irish Setter and a Norwegian Elkhound, a Java Rice Bird, three banty chickens (Araminta, Samantha, and Cornelia), a mouse named Yankee Doodle, two rabbits, and as many orphaned wild animals as her mother would tolerate. Although she spent years studying astronomy and cell biology, it didn't surprise anyone when she grew up to be become a veterinarian!
"Animals have always ranked among my best friends, and I realized early in life that each has a unique personality and place in our hearts," she says. "I feel I can provide the best service to my patients when I know the whole family. That way, I can develop a treatment plan that is realistic and effective, create a personalized wellness plan, and give meaningful advice on such things as training and nutrition."
Dr. Nizolek attended Wellesley College and received a Bachelor's Degree in Molecular Biology. Her graduate work at Yale University led to a Master's Degree in Cell Biology. She continued her education at the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University and earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1981. Dr. Nizolek is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, the Potomac Valley Dressage Association, the United States Dressage Association, and the United States Equestrian Federation.
Dr. Nizolek and her husband Dr. Joe Nizolek opened Community Animal Hospital in 1984 and have been caring for pets and their people in the mid-shore area ever since. "I tell young people that there's no better profession than veterinary medicine. It is deeply rewarding, intellectually challenging, and never boring. Best of all, you get to spend your days with animals and the people who love them."
Dr. Nizolek and her husband live in Easton and enjoy the company of their two dogs, Tiger Lily and Brexie. Donna spends many hours at the Preston Horse Farm, where she and Travellier are in training for dressage competitions. Donna and Joe's son Tom earned his Ph.D. at the University of California at Santa Barbara and is continuing his research at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. Their daughter Amy has completed an M. Phil. at Oxford University and an M. Litt. at the University of St. Andrews. She is working on her Ph.D at the University of Bristol in the U.K.
Chad Hutchison, DVM
Talbot County native Dr. Chad Hutchison grew up close to nature on his family's farm in Cordova. "My earliest memories involve animals. Whether caring for our domesticated farm animals or observing creatures in the wild, I quickly became fascinated with the various ways we interact with animals and how much they enrich our daily lives."
Dr. Hutchison has a long history with Community Animal Hospital, beginning when he worked as a veterinary technician while an undergraduate. He attended Virginia Tech and received his Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Sciences, a subset of Natural Resource Management. Dr. Hutchison was awarded his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2003 from the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. His professional interests include reptile medicine and husbandry and small animal surgery.
"Growing up, we didn't have pets inside the house," he recalls. "The only exception was fish, as they were in an aquarium. I convinced my parents other pets would be acceptable, provided that they lived in an aquarium. That's when my love of reptiles really progressed; I got around the rules on a technicality! The aquariums were quickly left behind for larger, more appropriate, home-made enclosures."
Dr. Hutchison's four-legged companions include 2 rescued dogs, 3 cats (also rescues, one of whom is a rear leg amputee), 2 guinea pigs and various reptile species. Outside the hospital he spends time observing native species through bird watching and nature walks.
"I love animals, especially how each one is truly unique!" Dr. Hutchison says. "However, the human-animal bond is what is most amazing, and our pets have such a tremendous ability to enrich and improve our lives. Unconditional love and devotion, which are among the best characteristics of the human species, are always given freely from our animal friends."
Chad is an active member of the Fairview Church of the Brethren. He spends many hours as a volunteer coach for youth sports teams in Talbot County, primarily for the local soccer club, Shore F.C. Chad and his wife Susie, a teacher at Talbot's Chapel Elementary, have three wonderful children: Julian, Samuel and Violet Grace.
Teri White, DVM
There were many chores for a little girl growing up on a small farm in New Jersey, but caring for the 20 or so barn cats was perhaps Teri's favorite. "I feel like the cats spoke to me. I've never forgotten the bonds I established with those wonderful creatures."
Dr. White attended Kansas State University and received her Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology in 1981. She went on to attend the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University and was awarded her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1985. She is a member of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the Cornell Feline Health Center, and the American Animal Hospital Association. Dr. White's professional interests include feline medicine, behavior and shelter medicine.
Dr. White is co-founder and President of TomCat Solutions, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to reducing the number of free-roaming and abandoned cats in the mid-shore area. "We want to help the people feeding stray or feral cats in their backyards, barns, or communities and assist them in getting their cats sterilized. Our efforts have helped reduce the number of kittens born into a short, hard life and have kept them from being surrendered to local shelters."
She and her husband Tom live in Easton and share their home with many rescued cats. Both are active participants in TomCat Solution's trap-neuter-return and adoption programs.
Jill Yaissle, DVM
Community Animal Hospital was excited to welcome Dr. Jill Yaissle back to our team in August 2021. A graduate of the University of Delaware, she has known that she wanted to work with animals since she was a child. Dr. Yaissle went on to receive her DVM and also a Master's degree in Animal Nutrition from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
She has many years of experience working in general veterinary practices and also completed an internship in oncology at the Ohio State University Teaching Hospital. Dr. Yaissle's professional interests include treating renal and gastrointestinal diseases, cytology and animal nutrition, especially weight loss programs. However, one of her favorite aspects of veterinary medicine is the interaction with clients and animals.
In her free time, she enjoys cooking, swimming and spending time with her husband Greg. They share their home with five rescue cats: Monito, Ruby, Lort, Kuzya and Millie.
Joe Nizolek, DVM (Retired)
We thank Dr. Nizolek for over four decades of caring for the pets and families of Easton and his dedication to Community Animal Hospital. We wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement