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Our Specialists

For more than a quarter century, The Sams Clinic has led the advancement of modern veterinary orthopedics, sports medicine, and minimally invasive care for companion animals, canine athletes, and working dogs.

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Dr. Andrew Sams, veterinary orthopedic surgeon

Andrew Sams, DVM, MS, DACVS

Founder & Medical Director
Orthopedic Surgery & Arthroscopy

Dr. Sams has led advances in veterinary orthopedics, arthroscopy, and regenerative medicine for more than three decades. His clinical interests span the full spectrum of orthopedic surgery, while his research has encompassed arthroscopy, musculoskeletal biomechanics, cartilage repair, joint preservation, and orthobiologic therapies.

Biography

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Dr. Andrew Sams is one of veterinary medicine’s pioneers in small-animal orthopedics, arthroscopy, and minimally invasive diagnosis and surgery.

Before founding The Sams Clinic, Dr. Sams served as Chief of Orthopedics and Neurosurgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York, where he established one of the profession’s first canine arthroscopy programs.

In 1999, Dr. Sams founded The Sams Clinic for Orthopedics and Arthroscopy as a dedicated specialty service for advanced orthopedics and minimally invasive diagnosis and surgery. In 2004, Dr. Sams transformed the practice into The Sams Clinic as it is known today: an 8,500-square-foot integrated orthopedic center dedicated entirely to musculoskeletal care across orthopedic surgery, minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment, sports medicine, orthobiologic therapy, and coordinated recovery.

Dr. Sams has lectured nationally and internationally. He helped develop and deliver the profession’s first veterinary arthroscopy training course, hosted by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1996, and has continued teaching arthroscopic principles and technique throughout his career.

Dr. Sams has also contributed to veterinary orthobiologic advancement through widely cited research in cartilage repair, biological joint resurfacing, and autologous adipose-derived regenerative cell therapy for canine elbow osteoarthritis.

Dr. Sams earned his veterinary degree from UC Davis, completed internship training at Texas A&M, and completed surgical residency and master’s training at Cornell. His master’s research studied biological methods of resurfacing damaged joints. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, board-certified in veterinary surgery since 1994.

As Medical Director of The Sams Clinic, Dr. Sams works alongside a dedicated team of renowned specialists, technicians, and support staff. He focuses his practice on orthopedic and arthroscopic diagnosis and surgery, joint preservation, and orthobiologic treatment.

Clinical & Research Interests

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  • Arthroscopy & Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery
  • Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease, TPLO & Stifle Stabilization
  • Orthopedic Trauma, Fracture Repair & Skeletal Fixation
  • Limb Deformity Correction, Corrective Osteotomy & Reconstructive Orthopedics
  • Joint Instability, Arthrodesis & Salvage Surgery
  • Tendon, Ligament & Periarticular Soft-Tissue Surgery
  • Hip & Pelvic Orthopedics
  • Orthopedic Biomechanics, Orthopedic Fixation & Bone Healing
  • Articular Cartilage Repair, Biological Joint Resurfacing & Joint Preservation
  • Osteoarthritis, Orthobiologics & Regenerative Medicine

Publications

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Small-Animal Orthopedics, Arthroscopy & Regenerative Medicine

Cartilage Repair, Orthopedic Biomechanics & Bone Biology

Equine Orthopedics, Arthroscopy & Diagnostic Imaging

Veterinary Surgery & Clinical Pathology

Leadership, Teaching & Mentorship

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  • Early Leadership in Veterinary Arthroscopy. Established one of the profession’s first canine arthroscopy programs at the Animal Medical Center in 1994; helped develop the first veterinary arthroscopy course and served as one of its five instructors at the 1996 American College of Veterinary Surgeons meeting; and published an early technical reference on canine elbow arthroscopy.
  • Early Clinical Research in Veterinary Orthobiologics. Coauthored one of the early clinical studies of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem and regenerative cell therapy for canine osteoarthritis, published in 2008 and subsequently cited throughout the veterinary regenerative-medicine literature.
  • National & International Teaching. Has lectured nationally and internationally and taught arthroscopic principles and techniques through specialty courses for veterinary surgeons and other veterinary professionals.
  • Specialty Service & Practice Leadership. Served as Chief of Orthopedics and Neurosurgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York before founding The Sams Clinic for Orthopedics and Arthroscopy in 1999, which he continues to lead as Founder and Medical Director.
Dr. Sherman Canapp, veterinary orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist

Sherman Canapp, DVM, MS, CCRT, DACVS, DACVSMR

Orthopedic Surgery & Arthroscopy
Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation

Dr. Canapp has helped define and advance veterinary sports medicine for more than two decades. His clinical and research interests encompass orthopedic surgery, joint and soft-tissue injury, minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment, orthobiologics, rehabilitation, and return to function and performance.

Biography

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Dr. Sherman Canapp is double board-certified in veterinary surgery and veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation. He is recognized for foundational contributions to canine sports medicine, orthopedics, orthobiologics, and minimally invasive diagnosis and surgery.

He is a Charter Diplomate and Past President of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Founding President of the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians, and served as founding National Director for Sports Medicine, Rehabilitation, and Regenerative Medicine for a national network of more than 350 veterinary hospitals. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center.

Dr. Canapp has authored or coauthored more than fifty scholarly publications, including peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and led research programs that have attracted more than $1 million in support for studies of orthobiologic treatment, orthopedic disease, and soft-tissue injury. His research reflects a One Health and translational medicine approach, with current work focused on genomic medicine and individual biology as drivers of disease risk, aging, and treatment selection in dogs.

Dr. Canapp has developed, evaluated, and clinically validated veterinary technologies across orthobiologics, minimally invasive diagnostics, surgical instrumentation, and digital specialty-care platforms. His work includes canine-specific orthobiologic platforms, needle-scope and arthroscopic systems, diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound applications, TPLO and arthrodesis systems, and digital platforms for remote specialty education and procedural support.

For more than two decades, Dr. Canapp has trained veterinarians nationally and internationally through major ACVS and ACVSMR programs and hands-on laboratories in musculoskeletal ultrasound, orthobiologics, intra-articular therapy, needle arthroscopy, and minimally invasive procedures. He has mentored more than 70 residents, fellows, and interns.

Before joining The Sams Clinic, Dr. Canapp co-founded and led one of North America’s preeminent specialty practices dedicated to integrated orthopedic, sports medicine, rehabilitation, and regenerative care. He joined The Sams Clinic team to advance a shared commitment to advancing the frontiers of integrated orthopedic, sports medicine, regenerative, and minimally invasive care.

Dr. Canapp earned his DVM and master’s degree in clinical science from Kansas State University, where he was the first to complete the combined DVM/MS program. He completed an internship at the University of Missouri and a three-year surgical residency at the University of Florida. He is a Diplomate of both the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.

At The Sams Clinic, Dr. Canapp focuses on advanced orthopedic and sports medicine care for athletic, working, and companion dogs, with particular expertise in difficult-to-diagnose soft-tissue injuries, orthobiologics, minimally invasive diagnosis and surgery, and return to function and performance.

Clinical & Research Interests

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  • Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention & Performance Longevity
  • Orthopedic Soft-Tissue Injury
  • Joint Injury, Disease & Preservation
  • Veterinary Arthroscopy
  • Orthobiologics & Regenerative Orthopedics
  • Orthopedic & Performance Rehabilitation
  • Translational Orthopedic Research & Technology Development

Publications

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Peer-Reviewed Publications

Sports Medicine, Performance Injury & Diagnostic Imaging

Orthobiologics & Regenerative Medicine

Orthopedic Surgery, Joint Preservation & Rehabilitation

Other Veterinary Surgery & Comparative Medicine

Book Chapters

Published Abstracts & Proceedings

Professional Publications

Leadership, Teaching & Mentorship

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  • Specialty Leadership. Charter Diplomate and Past President of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.
  • National Clinical Leadership. Founding National Director of Sports Medicine, Rehabilitation, and Regenerative Medicine for Thrive Pet Healthcare from 2019 to 2024.
  • Practice, Research & Innovation Leadership. Co-founder of Veterinary Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Group, Canapp Sports Medicine and Canine Longevity; President and CEO of Orthobiologic Innovations.
  • Professional Education. Leadership of VOSM Academy educational and certification programs in sports medicine, regenerative medicine, rehabilitation, musculoskeletal ultrasound and arthroscopy.
  • National & International Teaching. Lectures and conducts advanced clinical workshops for veterinarians in sports medicine, arthroscopy, orthobiologics, rehabilitation and orthopedic diagnosis and treatment.
  • Clinical Training & Mentorship. Clinical training and mentorship of veterinarians, residents, interns, veterinary students, veterinary technicians and rehabilitation professionals.
  • Global Education & Service. Founder of Project GO—Global Orthopedics for Animals—which provides orthopedic care for animals with limited access and supports veterinary education and training internationally.
  • Institutional Governance. Member of the Board of Trustees of Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center.
Dr. Dana Whitlock, veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation specialist

Dana Whitlock, DVM, MS, MPT, CCRP, CVA, DACVSMR

Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation

Dr. Whitlock is a leading figure in translational musculoskeletal and performance medicine. She has earned board certification as both a human Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist and a veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist, in addition to completing veterinary surgical residency training. Dr. Whitlock leads The Sams Clinic’s Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation service, focusing on musculoskeletal injury, mobility and performance disorders, and return to activity, sport and work.

Biography

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Dr. Dana Whitlock is a board-certified specialist in veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation whose background uniquely bridges human orthopedic physical therapy, biomechanics, and veterinary sports medicine. Her approach integrates principles of human performance and rehabilitation science with the diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and return-to-function planning of musculoskeletal conditions in companion, athletic, and working animals.

Before entering veterinary medicine, Dr. Whitlock was board certified as an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists.

She began working with dogs in physical rehabilitation in 2001, when structured canine rehabilitation was still emerging in veterinary medicine and years before Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation became a board-certified specialty.

Dr. Whitlock completed surgical residency training at the University of Missouri, a surgical internship at Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center, and a rotating internship at the University of Georgia. She is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner and Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist. She also completed advanced training in canine gait analysis at the University of Tennessee and in diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound through the Veterinary Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Academy.

She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from UC Davis, a Master of Physical Therapy degree from Duke University, and a Master of Science degree from SUNY Upstate Medical Center focused on muscle physiology and exercise science.

She has contributed to canine rehabilitation textbooks and published research using objective lameness and force-plate measures to evaluate extracorporeal shock wave therapy for canine elbow osteoarthritis.

At The Sams Clinic, Dr. Whitlock leads our Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation service. Her practice focuses on the diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal injury, mobility limitation, postoperative recovery, chronic functional decline, and performance-related problems in companion, athletic, and working animals. Her work integrates musculoskeletal ultrasound, orthobiologics, acupuncture, gait analysis, therapeutic rehabilitation, and return-to-performance planning.

Clinical & Research Interests

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  • Translational Orthopedic Rehabilitation & Performance Medicine
  • Musculoskeletal Injury, Mobility & Performance Disorders
  • Joint, Tendon, Ligament, Muscle & Myofascial Conditions
  • Osteoarthritis, Chronic Pain & Functional Decline
  • Postoperative & Nonoperative Orthopedic Rehabilitation
  • Biomechanics, Gait Analysis & Objective Functional Assessment
  • Exercise Physiology, Conditioning & Injury Prevention
  • Manual Therapy, Therapeutic Exercise & Movement Restoration
  • Acupuncture & Multimodal Pain Management
  • Return to Activity, Sport & Work

Publications

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Peer-Reviewed Publications

Veterinary Biomechanics & Sports Medicine

Skeletal Muscle Physiology & Metabolism

Veterinary Diagnosis

Book Chapters

  • Massage. In Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, 2nd edition, 2014.

Professional Articles

Scientific Abstracts & Conference Proceedings

Graduate Thesis

  • Fatigue in the Slow-Twitch Fiber Type of Rat Skeletal Muscle. Master’s thesis, State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse, 1986.

Leadership, Teaching & Mentorship

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  • Clinical Service Leadership. Leads The Sams Clinic’s Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation service.
  • Specialty Credentialing & Residency Oversight. Served for six consecutive years on the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Credentials and Residency Committee.
  • Translational Rehabilitation Education. Connects human and veterinary orthopedic rehabilitation, exercise physiology, biomechanics, and performance medicine through professional education.
  • Canine Athlete Education. Has lectured on muscle physiology, scientific conditioning, treatment and maintenance of canine athletes.

Our Team's Research, Innovation & Leadership

For decades, our specialists have advanced the standards, techniques, and technologies shaping modern veterinary orthopedics, arthroscopy, sports medicine, and orthobiologic therapies.

The Sams Clinic specialist presenting veterinary orthopedic research

Clinical Research

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Our specialists have secured and managed more than $1 million in grants and sponsored research for laboratory, clinical, and outcomes studies of veterinary orthopedic disease, treatment, and recovery.

  • Research partners: Academic, nonprofit, clinical, and industry collaborators have included Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University, Auburn University, Kansas State University, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the University of Missouri, the University of Florida, Colorado State University, Virginia Tech, the University of Tennessee, the University of Maryland, the AKC Canine Health Foundation, and companies developing therapeutics, surgical technologies, and regenerative-medicine products.
  • Cartilage, arthritis & joint preservation: Biological joint resurfacing, tissue engineering, cartilage-matrix research, biomarkers, osteoarthritis, joint inflammation, and joint-protective treatments.
  • Regenerative treatment research: Platelet-rich plasma, bone marrow aspirate concentrate, cellular therapies, bioscaffolds, injectable joint materials, and biologic treatment of joint, tendon, and ligament disease.
  • Sports injury, imaging & diagnosis: Research involving shoulder, tendon, ligament, muscle, carpal, nerve, and other orthopedic injuries, together with comparative musculoskeletal ultrasound, MRI, arthroscopy, needle-scope, and diagnostic-block studies.
  • Surgery, recovery & functional outcomes: Orthopedic biomechanics, TPLO, fixation, reconstruction, bone healing, implant outcomes, gait and loading assessment, rehabilitation, and return to daily activity, sport, and work.

Explore our research >

Technology Development

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Our specialists have helped design, co-develop, validate, and clinically evaluate technologies used in veterinary orthopedics, arthroscopy, sports medicine, orthobiologics, rehabilitation, and objective outcomes assessment.

  • Arthroscopy, imaging & minimally invasive systems: Canine-specific arthroscopy and needle-scope systems, musculoskeletal ultrasound, integrated imaging, and image-guided care.
  • Orthopedic implants & repair systems: TPLO plates, locking fixation systems, tendon-repair constructs, prosthetic-ligament stabilization, and hip and elbow reconstruction technologies.
  • Regenerative & joint-restoration technologies: Platelet-rich plasma, bone marrow aspirate concentrate, adipose-derived cellular preparations, bioscaffolds, growth-factor combinations, injectable joint materials, and bone-graft substitutes.
  • Functional assessment, rehabilitation & recovery technologies: Force, pressure, stance, and gait systems; orthopedic bracing and external limb prostheses; and physical-treatment devices for measuring and supporting mobility and recovery.
  • Digital clinical-support & training systems: Remote diagnostic review, procedural guidance, case communication, clinical-data exchange, patient follow-up, and professional education.

Explore our technology development >

Scientific Publications

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Our specialists have authored or coauthored more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, scientific abstracts, conference proceedings, and professional publications across veterinary orthopedics, sports medicine, regenerative medicine, rehabilitation, and related biomedical fields, including:

  • Peer-reviewed clinical & biomedical research: Orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, regenerative medicine, musculoskeletal imaging, biomechanics, rehabilitation, functional recovery, muscle physiology, and comparative biomedical science.
  • Reference books, chapters & academic works: Canine sports medicine, orthopedic diagnosis and treatment, regenerative medicine, rehabilitation, surgical complications, and orthopedic devices.
  • Scientific abstracts & conference proceedings: Original findings presented to surgical, orthopedic, sports-medicine, rehabilitation, and regenerative-medicine audiences.
  • Professional & public education: Clinical guidance for veterinarians, performance-dog communities, and pet owners.

Read our publications >

Clinical Innovation

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Beginning with one of the profession’s early canine arthroscopy programs, our specialists have translated research and technology into more precise approaches to orthopedic diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

  • Arthroscopy & minimally invasive treatment: Arthroscopic, needle-scope, and endoscopically assisted approaches for joint assessment, cartilage treatment, ligament procedures, and other orthopedic conditions.
  • Advanced musculoskeletal diagnosis: Combined musculoskeletal ultrasound, MRI, arthroscopy, needle-scope evaluation, diagnostic blocks, and image-guided procedures to define complex sources of lameness and injury.
  • Orthopedic surgery & reconstruction: Advanced surgical planning and treatment for fracture fixation, TPLO, tendon and ligament repair, joint stabilization, and hip and elbow reconstruction.
  • Regenerative & joint-preservation care: Clinical application of platelet-rich plasma, bone marrow aspirate concentrate, cellular therapies, bioscaffolds, injectable joint treatments, and other approaches to joint, tendon, and ligament disease.
  • Objective recovery & return to activity: Gait, loading, range-of-motion, mobility, and sport-specific assessment integrated with rehabilitation, bracing, external support, and return-to-activity planning.

Explore our clinical innovation >

Veterinary Education

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  • Specialty training & mentorship: More than 70 residents, fellows, and interns mentored through clinical, procedural, and research training in specialty departments and referral practices, together with veterinary students, specialty candidates, practicing veterinarians, and veterinary technicians.
  • Curriculum & program development: Recurring courses, academies, clinical rotations, and structured training programs in orthopedic surgery, arthroscopy, minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment, sports medicine, diagnostic imaging, orthobiologics, rehabilitation, and functional assessment.
  • Veterinary arthroscopy education: Helped develop and teach the profession’s first veterinary arthroscopy course at the 1996 American College of Veterinary Surgeons meeting, followed by national and international instruction in arthroscopy, needle-scope, and image-guided procedures.
  • Hands-on procedural education: Wet laboratories, procedural instruction, and clinical proctoring in arthroscopy, needle-scope techniques, musculoskeletal ultrasound, image-guided intervention, orthobiologic preparation and delivery, orthopedic devices, gait assessment, rehabilitation, and sports-medicine examination.
  • National & international professional education: Invited lectures, keynote presentations, workshops, scientific sessions, specialty symposia, and multiday programs for veterinary professionals in the United States and internationally.
  • Digital, case-based & community education: Instructional video, webinars, virtual workshops, live case discussions, remote procedural guidance, and applied education for agility, sporting, service, police, search-and-rescue, and other working-dog communities.

Explore our veterinary education >

Professional Leadership

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  • Specialty-practice, clinical-program & national-service leadership: Founded and led dedicated orthopedic, arthroscopy, sports-medicine, rehabilitation, and regenerative-medicine programs, together with multisite specialty services and national clinical programs integrating diagnosis, surgery, minimally invasive care, recovery, and return-to-function planning.
  • Professional organizations & specialty colleges: Leadership in the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians and the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, including founding, presidential, committee, and program responsibilities.
  • Specialty standards & scientific service: Direction of scientific sessions, specialty symposia, and continuing-education programs; contribution to residency, credentialing, and specialty-training standards; manuscript and editorial review; and scientific grant evaluation.
  • Health-system, research & industry leadership: Board of Trustees service at Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center, together with advisory and collaborative work with universities, researchers, medical-device developers, and veterinary-health organizations on clinical programs, research, technology, and education.
  • Working-dog, public-service & international initiatives: Leadership supporting working-dog organizations, animal-welfare programs, wildlife and zoological care, and veterinary education in regions with limited specialty resources.

Explore our professional leadership >

Explore Our Work