Rocky Gorge Animal Hospital

Rocky Gorge Animal Hospital handles dog boarding in Laurel, MD, from a single location at 7515 Brooklyn Bridge Road that also houses its veterinary practice. The lodging side operates as a resort and spa for dogs and cats, with day care and grooming available. A veterinarian works on site, and staff supervise the animals around the clock.

Services and amenities

• Resort and spa lodging for dogs and cats
• Doggy day care
• Grooming
• On-site pharmacy and wellness plans for dogs and cats
• Birthday and celebration parties for dogs

What sets it apart

The clearest difference is the veterinarian on site. Owners of senior dogs, or dogs on daily medication, tend to weigh that heavily when choosing where to board, and it is the reason many people look for veterinary boarding instead of a standalone kennel. The team is Fear Free Certified, an approach built around lowering an animal's stress during handling. Tours are offered, so owners can walk through the lodging areas before they book. Cats board here as well, which simplifies things for households with both.

Practical details

The resort keeps its own phone line and email, separate from the hospital's main desk, and reservations are placed online. Doors open at 7:00 AM every day. Pickup runs until 8:00 PM Monday through Friday and until 4:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday, so weekend returns need a little more planning. There is a small gift shop in the resort lobby for anyone picking up a dog after a long trip. The main number is (301) 776-7744, and the practice email is rgah@rockygorgevet.com. Rocky Gorge also posts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, which is a reasonable way to see the place before committing to a stay.