Eric Gofreed, DVM

Dr. Eric Gofreed has worked at the Indian Head Animal Hospital since 1957.  Ever since he can remember, he wanted to be a veterinarian. Perhaps it was his love of animals; perhaps it was his fascination with medicine, or perhaps having a veterinarian for a father influenced his life-long dream. His father, Dr. Edward Gofreed, founded the Indian Head Animal Hospital when Dr. Eric was just  7 years old, and he has been working with animals ever since.  He would clean cages and work in the kennels on the weekends and summers. As a teenager he was a groomer, doing all the bathing and haircuts. As a kid Dr. Eric worked as the receptionist, the surgical assistant, the lab technician, the janitor, the gardener, the painter, the plumber and any other work needed. It was hard work, but it was also fun.  It has been a privilege for Dr. Eric to work with his father and family throughout childhood and as a veterinarian. It has been a dream come true, and it's a dream he will continue to live until he can no longer be of service to clients, patients and the profession.

Dr. Eric graduated from Kansas State University in 1974 and came home to join his father and brother (Andrew Gofreed KSU class of 1972) at the Indian Head Animal Hospital. The practice has always been a family practice, not just in the sense that the veterinarians were family, but that our staff, our clients, and their pets were family too! Our goal has been to offer high quality veterinary medicine with compassionate and friendly service.

Dr. Eric is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the Maryland Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA), and the Veterinary Surgical Laser Society (VSLS). He is also an associate member of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Dr. Eric is a family man. Joanne and Eric were married in 1971. They have three grown children, Philip, Erin, Sharon and one grandson, Jared. Eric also has a little black cat named Nemo.

Dr. Eric has many hobbies. He is a weekend artist. He started painting when he was thirteen and our walls are covered with landscapes and portraits of family. He loves birds and bird watching. He knows most North American birds on sight and perhaps 350 birds by their songs. He creates highly detailed bird carvings out of wood. He also turns wood on a lathe creating decorative wood bowls, plates and such. To satisfy his exercise needs, he finds joy in hiking, weight training, and biking. He enjoys carpentry and home renovations. He loves books, movies, music, people, the great outdoors and practicing veterinary medicine.  His hobbies at the moment is primarily photography of birds and bugs.  View his pictures here!