A leader in the field of small animal arthroscopy, Dr. Sams is recognized for his achievements in arthroscopic and general orthopaedic surgery, and has lectured on both nationally and internationally. He has a special interest in cruciate ligament disease and repair, which includes surgeries such as the TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveleing Osteotomy). He has practiced small animal arthroscopy since 1994, first as chief of orthopaedic and neurology services at the Animal Medical Center in New York, where he launched a canine arthroscopy program. In 1999, Dr. Sams opened The Sams Clinic with the goal of providing state-of-the art veterinary medicine, with an emphasis on minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment. It was important that The Sams Clinic provide a comfortable environment where people feel confident their pets are receiving the best possible care.

A 1989 graduate of UC Davis Veterinary School, Dr. Sams’ academic achievements include specialty certification by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) in 1994, an internship at Texas A&M University and a residency in surgery at Cornell University. This is where he earned a master’s degree studying biological methods of resurfacing damaged joints. A native San Franciscan, Dr. Sams and his family, which includes a yellow Labrador retriever, live in Marin County, California.

“All through veterinary school, my master’s and post-grad training, my internship and residency, I found orthopaedics rewarding. I’ve always enjoyed the technology, the physics, the science, and I still do. But in the end, the best reward is to see my patients go back to doing the things they like to do, and their people like to do with them.”

– Dr. Andrew Sams

Dr. Alexander Hawley, DVM, MS, DACVAA

Board Certified Anesthesiologist, Certified Acupuncturist
Anesthesia and Pain Management

Dr. Hawley joined The Sams Clinic in 2009. As the on-staff anesthesiologist, he vigilantly monitors patients before, during and after surgery to ensure their well-being and comfort. He wants pets to be free of anxiety and pain yet alert after surgery, a goal that he accomplishes by using a progressive, multimodal approach, combining lower doses of a variety of medications. As the director of our Pain Management Clinic, Dr. Hawley supplements more conventional protocols with both state-of-the-art allopathic therapies and acupuncture.

After obtaining his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Colorado State University in 2005, Dr. Hawley went on to do a year long internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Kansas State University, followed by a three-year residency in anesthesiology at Tufts University. He also holds a master’s degree in anatomy. Dr. Hawley’s cutting-edge research focuses on the impact of the genetic makeup of dogs, cat and horses on their individual responses to pain and drug therapy. He’s also interested in new pharmacological treatments for osteoarthritis and other chronic painful conditions.

“The collaborative setting of The Sams Clinic gives me the unique chance to follow a patient from diagnosis through treatment to rehabilitation. I act as an ally for pets, making them as comfortable as possible, before, during and after surgery.”

– Dr. Alexander Hawley

Dr. Dana Whitlock, DVM, MS, DACVSMR

Board Certified sports medicine and rehabilitation Specialist

Dr. Whitlock joined The Sams Clinic in July 2016. Prior to becoming a veterinarian, Dr. Whitlock was a physical therapist for humans, receiving one of two Masters degrees from Duke University. She also completed a Masters degree at SUNY Upstate Medical Center studying muscle physiology as it pertains to exercise. As a physical therapist, she was a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapists. She began working with dogs in the realm of physical rehabilitation in 2001 and completed her canine rehabilitation certification at the University of Tennessee. She went on to complete her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis in 2007.

She completed an internship at the University of Georgia, a surgical internship at Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center, and a fellowship in the canine gait lab at the University of Tennessee prior to surgical residency training at the University of Missouri. She is a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist through the Chi Institute in Florida.

Dr. Whitlock is the only board-certified sports medicine and rehabilitation specialist in the Bay area working with dogs and cats.