Bayside Animal Hospital – Veterinarians
Announcement – Dr. Shepherd’s Retirement – June of 2025
Dear Bayside Family,
After more than 20 years of caring for your beloved pets and being a part of the Bayside Animal Hospital family, I am writing to share that I will be retiring and relocating out of state in June.
This decision comes after more than 2 decades with Bayside. It has truly been an honor to serve this community, to meet your pets as puppies, kittens, and newly adopted fur babies, and to walk alongside you through every stage of their lives. I’ve been humbled by your stories, kindness, trust, and the deep bonds we’ve shared. My top priority has always been to ensure that your pets receive the very best in local veterinary care.
Bayside has always been more than a workplace to me—it’s a second home. A place where I’m surrounded by dedicated colleagues and compassionate families who care deeply about their pets. I am proud of what we’ve built together here and feel incredibly grateful for every paw I’ve had the privilege to care for and every family I’ve connected with.
While I will truly miss Bayside pets and families, I am retiring with full confidence in the exceptional veterinary team at Bayside Animal Hospital. They remain committed to the same high standard of care and compassion you’ve come to expect, and I know you and your pets will continue to be in excellent hands.
Thank you all for your friendship, kindness, and community, and for letting me be a part of your family’s story. The memories and relationships formed here will stay with me always.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Dr. Dale Shepherd
Bayside Animal Hospital
Veterinary medicine has always been a large part of Dr. Murphy’s life. From the time he was a small child, he spent many hours working alongside his father, Vance Murphy D.V.M., at Clear Lake City Veterinary Clinic. After graduating from Texas A & M in 1995 with his D.V.M., Dr. Murphy had the opportunity to work with his father as a colleague. Dr. Murphy has worked hard to create a caring, friendly, state-of-the-art facility. His special interests in the veterinary field include dentistry & orthopedics. Dr. Murphy enjoys martial arts and is a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He is also an avid wind surfer and enjoys kettle bells. Dr. Murphy, his wife, Trisha, their children reside in Clear Lake Shores.
Dr. Jonathon Given joined Bayside Animal Hospital in 2014. He is originally from Galveston, TX. He graduated from Texas A&M in 2004 with a bachelors degree in Animal Science, he then went on to earn his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 2008. After graduation, Dr. Given returned to his hometown of Galveston and served that community from 2008 until December of 2012. He is a member of AVMA, TVMA and the Galveston County VMA. He also sits as an adviser on the Galveston County Health District’s Animal Advisory Committee. His profession interests include radiology, cytology, and surgery. He lives in League City with his wife Annamary and daughter Emma, along with his 4 legged family members, Buddy, a Siamese rescue, and Cassie, a tortoise-shell kitty. His hobbies include reading, tending to his garden, and cheering on his favorite football teams, the Houston Texans and Texas A&M Aggies.
Dr. Rhiannon Thornburg joined Bayside Animal Hospital in April of 2016. She was born in London, England and moved to Galveston, Texas when she was very young. Dr. Thornburg had a love for animals growing up and raised many animals included cats, dogs, and horses. She started working in small animal veterinary clinics in high school and throughout her undergraduate work at Texas A&M, where she received her bachelors in Biomedical Science in 1988. She continued her education at Texas A&M, graduating with her DVM in 1993. After graduation, she returned to Galveston and practiced small animal medicine from 1994-2008. Dr. Thornburg relocated to the League City area in July of 2008 where she worked at Marina Bay Animal Hospital until April of 2016. She has a special interest in endocrinology and other difficult cases. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, gardening, traveling and scuba diving.