Pioneers in Veterinary Orthopedic & Sports Medicine
Orthopedic Surgery
& Arthroscopy
Sports & Performance Medicine
Orthobiologic Regenerative Therapy
Rehabilitation & Return to Activity
Pioneers in Minimally Invasive Care & Modern Orthopedic Medicine
For decades, our specialists have advanced the standards, techniques, and technologies shaping modern veterinary orthopedics and sports medicine.
Research & Scholarship
Peer-reviewed publications, textbook chapters, funded clinical research, and scientific presentations advancing orthopedic disease, musculoskeletal injury, orthobiologic therapy, objective outcomes assessment, and functional recovery.
Technology & Innovation
Foundational contributions to canine arthroscopy, minimally invasive diagnosis, orthobiologic systems, musculoskeletal ultrasound, surgical instrumentation, rehabilitation protocols, and return-to-performance planning.
Education & Leadership
Board-specialty and professional-organization leadership, national and international lecturing, ACVS and ACVSMR procedural laboratories, national specialty-program development, and resident, intern, fellow, and clinician mentorship.
TPLO Specialists for the San Francisco Bay Area
The Sams Clinic specialists have performed thousands of TPLO procedures and designed TPLO implant systems widely used by veterinary surgeons.
TPLO Experience
Performed thousands of TPLO surgeries across routine, complex, revision, and second-opinion cranial cruciate ligament cases.
TPLO Innovation
Designed TPLO plates and implant systems widely used by veterinary surgeons performing TPLO surgery.
Complete Cruciate Care
Treatment may incorporate arthroscopic joint and meniscal evaluation, orthobiologic therapies, rehabilitation, and progressive return to activity based on each dog’s injury and long-term functional needs.
For Bay Area Families & Performance Dogs Around the World
Whether you're our neighbors in the San Francisco Bay Area or traveling to us from farther away, our team carefully coordinates your pet's care together with you every step of the way.
Bay Area Families
For pets whose best days mean comfortable couch time, neighborhood walks, Marin trail hikes, and family playtime, The Sams Clinic helps dogs and cats regain comfort, stability, and mobility so they can return to the moments that matter most.
Sport & Working Dogs
For dogs trained for precision, power, and control — where every stride, turn, and hesitation matters — The Sams Clinic tailors diagnostic and treatment pathways to your dog’s condition, capabilities, and performance demands. Learn more >
Our Specialists
Andrew Sams, DVM, MS, DACVS
Founder & Medical Director
Orthopedic Surgery & Arthroscopy
Sherman Canapp, DVM, MS, CCRT, DACVS, DACVSMR
Orthopedic Surgery & Arthroscopy
Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation
Dana Whitlock, DVM, MS, CCRP, CVA, DACVSMR
Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation
Patient Stories
Vail
Lure Coursing
“Vail spend 6 weeks in a SPICA splint and then another 2 weeks in a soft splint. Afterwards, Vail went through several weeks of rehab which included gym work, underwater treadmill, and pool therapy. Shortly after her 2nd birthday, she was out on the lure coursing field competing!”
Cole
Agility
“Cole is now back doing the things he loves: agility, herding and hiking. I can’t say enough good things about my experience with Dr. Canapp and his team. Their love for the animals and friendliness toward the owners made the experience very pleasant. I am so happy that this level of technology and range of treatment options were available to us.’
Bang
Agility
“after considering and some research I decided on most experience and also the possibility for radiofrequency ablation (RF). RF isn’t offered anywhere in Finland yet, so even with some quite skillful vets in Finland too, I wanted to get the best possible treatment for Bang. Sherman was really helpful in this decision making process, he gave me time to think about it, showed me research on shoulder issues and videos of the scopes and how RF works and answered with patience all the many questions I had.”
Zar’n
Agility
“The team, as well as Dr. Canapp, was very helpful in explaining everything that was done and even provided video of the entire procedure. Zar’n was almost 6 years old with a promising career in agility ahead of him.”