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
Shazam
Agility
“While a definitive diagnosis took a bit of time, Dr. Canapp did get to the underlying cause, and both of Shazam’s wrists were treated. This treatment, along with a rehabilitation program, resolved his lameness, and Shazam and I had an extremely rigorous and successful competitive agility career for many years.”
Maicoh
Protection & French Ring
“Kraken is back doing all the things a healthy 5-year-old Border Collie should be doing. He loves sheep herding, agility, swimming, hiking, playing with his two Dutch Shepherd brothers and ruling our house. Maicoh has retired from French Ring and enjoys dock diving in his own dock-dog pool in our yard, hiking and trying to keep Kraken—and Maicoh’s son, Lycan—in line.’
Ryker
Agility
“Dr. Canapp was very thorough in his examination, diagnosis and treatment of Ryker’s MSS, which included radiofrequency treatment, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cells. Following surgery, Ryker completed about three months of rehabilitation and then three months of strength training. He is currently back to running agility. Amazingly, his weave-pole issues are resolved.”
Bacchus
Field Trials
“Late in 2016 he subsequently underwent a left shoulder arthroscopy with radiofrequency treatment and left elbow arthroscopy. Bone marrow stem cell therapy was performed (left supraspinatus tendon and left shoulder) by Dr. Sherman Canapp. Following these procedures and aggressive rehabilitation therapy Bacchus was able to resume his field trial career in late 2017.”