[PennysMum]

I used to work for a vet who had nearly 30 years of practical experience in orthopedic surgery and who had graduated top in his class from a renowned university. He was in a private small animal practice in a rural area, and we often had people driving from three states away-- straight past larger specialty practices on the way!-- to see him based on the recommendations of their doctors and friends. Surgery isn't just about the paperwork on the wall-- there's real knowledge and artistry involved in it too. That man performed surgeries with a kind of precision and elegance that really was a thing of beauty, and his patients really benefited from his experience. If you have a lot of knowledgeable people recommending a vet for a specific surgery, I wouldn't hestitate to look past board certification.