A german shepherd was brought to Dr. Steven Parvin D.V.M., after being hit by a car.

One of the dog’s front legs had to be amputated. Parvin, who is called “extremely compassionate” by his staff, decided to call him “Tripod,” and bring him home.

Parvin is an associate veterinarian at Bayside Animal Clinic North. He treats mostly cats and dogs and an occasional exotic animal.

“The best feeling I get is when you can tell that you have helped an animal and helped an owner,” he said.

Parvin was born in San Diego, Calif., and was raised in Starksville, Miss. He is a graduate of Mississippi State University where he also earned his D.V.M from the MSU College of Veterinarian Medicine.

Parvin moved to this area after he and a friend went to Destin, Fla., and began checking out clinics over a weekend drive. Three days after graduation, he accepted a position at Bay Animal Clinic.

“Small town living is easy. I was drawn to it here because of the beaches, the beauty and quaintness,” he said.

Family is a big thing to Parvin. He has been married to his wife, Danielle, a stay-at-home mom, for four years. They have a 21-month-old daughter, Emma. He said he has always been a hands-on father which included diaper duty.

“When you have a child the whole world changes, and everything you feel about the world changes,” he said.

In addition, he also has a total of four dogs, including Tripod.

“I do like adventure,” he said.

He is a real outdoors type of guy, growing up in the woods where he built forts as a child, he said.

“My hobbies are what brought me to this area,” he said.

He likes to fish for trout and redfish in the bay, and tuna and red snapper off shore. He said he goes fishing, but “not enough, but about once a month.”

In his spare time he also makes home improvements and enjoys yard work.

He recently built a toy chest for his daughter and refinished furniture for her room.

His staff has nothing but great things to say about him. They said he is adamant about seeing patients on time — he does not want animals to have to wait for treatment.

Parvin is also a humanitarian. He traveled to Gulfport and Louisiana with other area vets to help with pet rescue after Hurricane Katrina. He said it was sad to see so many animals that were lost.

“You could look into their eyes and tell they have feelings — their whole world was turned upside down,” he said.

But, he said it appeared the animals were really happy to have attention from humans. Parvin said it feels good to send an animal back home, healthy and alive.