Dr. Sherman Canapp DVM, MS, CCRT, DACVS-SA, DACVSMR (Past President)

Dr. Sherman Canapp is an internationally recognized pioneer in canine sports medicine, minimally invasive arthroscopy and orthopedic surgery, and regenerative orthopedic care.

He is double-boarded – a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and Charter Diplomate and Past President of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Dr. Canapp is a frequently invited lecturer and workshop leader at major conferences, including the ACVS Surgery Summit, VMX (NAVC), Western Veterinary Conference (WVC), ESVOT (Europe), BVOA (UK) and he has been an invited lecturer and workshop leader in sports medicine and orthopedics in Sydney, Australia, and Tokyo, Japan.

Dr. Canapp has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications on canine orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, rehabilitation, regenerative medicine, and minimally invasive diagnostics and treatment.

He practices at The Sams Clinic, Mill Valley, CA and at Hart For Animals in MD.

At the Sams Clinic, Dr. Canapp uses an objective gait analysis system to help detect early subtle lameness. It objectively measures stride, step length, weight distribution, and movement symmetry to help identify early soft tissue and osteoarthritis injuries, establish baseline performance metrics, monitor recovery, and track treatment and rehabilitation progress over time.

He is widely known for getting owners answers for complex and difficult to diagnose orthopedic, OA, and soft tissue conditions and is particularly recognized for diagnosing and arthroscopically treating forelimb injuries, especially of the canine elbow and shoulder.

One unique example where he uses diagnostic arthroscopy is to detect and distinguish early partial CCL injuries which he can then treat using regenerative medicine.

Dr. Canapp developed and clinically validated veterinary technologies across orthobiologics – Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC). His work includes canine-specific orthobiologic platforms, needle-scope and arthroscopic systems, and the design of the Everost LibertyLock TPLO plate.

Dr. Canapp founded Veterinary Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Group (VOSM), one of the first specialty veterinary practices in the United States dedicated exclusively to canine sports medicine, rehabilitation, orthopedic surgery, and regenerative medicine.

He served as founding National Director for Sports Medicine, Rehabilitation, and Regenerative Medicine for Thrive Pet Healthcare, a national network of more than 350 veterinary hospitals. He serves on the Board of Trustees for Johns Hopkins Medicine’s, Howard County General Hospital.

Dr. Ilana Strubel DVM, MA, CVSMT, CCRT, CVAT

Dr. Ilana Strubel, DVM, founded A Well Adjusted Pet, an integrative veterinary practice focused on treating the whole patient through rehabilitation, pain management, mobility care, behavior, and wellness-focused medicine. She earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois and has been practicing small animal veterinary medicine since 1995 with a special interest in integrative medicine, behavior, pain management, and mobility issues.

Dr. Strubel completed the Donald G. Low-CVMA Practitioner Fellowship with the UC Davis Veterinary Teaching Hospital Behavior Service and later pursued advanced training in Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy (VSMT/chiropractic), functional neurology, animal acupressure, canine rehabilitation, sports medicine and conditioning, geriatric rehabilitation, nutrition, orthotics and prosthetics, and veterinary acupuncture. She is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT), Certified Veterinary Acupuncture Therapist (CVAT), and certified member of the College of Animal Chiropractors.

She is a member of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, Association of Animal Rehabilitation Veterinarians, and American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture. Dr. Strubel has received numerous honors from Bay Woof, including “Best Veterinarian,” “Best Canine Chiropractor,” “Best Mobile Veterinarian Practice,” and “Best Alternative Medicine Provider.”

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Strubel is deeply involved in community service and animal welfare. She founded Veterinary Street Outreach Services (VET SOS), providing free veterinary care to pets of San Francisco’s homeless community, and received a Jefferson Award for her work. She has also supported organizations including Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, where she volunteers caring for senior dogs with pain and mobility challenges.

Dr. Dana Whitlock DVM, MS, DACVSMR

Dr. Dana Whitlock has a 25-year long background in veterinary sports medicine. She joined the Sams Clinic in 2016.

Her areas of expertise include canine biomechanics, being a fellow of the Canine Gait Lab at the Univ. of TN, acupuncture, interarticular injections for treating osteoarthritis and soft tissue injuries, as well as musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound diagnostics for companion and performance dogs.

Her areas of expertise include advancing the use of MSK ultrasound as a precise, minimally invasive tool for diagnosing orthopedic and soft tissue injuries, as well as guiding regenerative therapies.

Her expertise in diagnostic imaging and diagnostic MSK ultrasound-guided delivers solutions to precisely pinpoint the specific nature of the soft tissue injury so that it can be treated to restore mobility, and optimize recovery.