Surgery
Veterinary Surgical Centers
We are a progressive veterinary referral practice with multiple locations serving all of Northern Virginia and surrounding areas. VSC performs a wide variety of specialized procedures including orthopedic, soft tissue, minimally invasive and physical rehabilitation. Our team consists of board-certified surgeons, a certified rehabilitation practitioner and residents in surgery along with a highly trained and compassionate support staff.
The ultimate priority of VSC is the health and well-being of your pet. As both veterinary professionals and dedicated pet owners, compassion and progressive technical expertise are the hallmarks of our practice. Our goal is to provide every patient with the highest quality of life possible.
Why Use Veterinary Surgical Centers
- Our surgeons have a broad range of skills and VSC has the most full time,
board-certified surgeons on staff of any referral practice in Northern Virginia. - We have well-trained, compassionate technical and support staff.
- Patients receive 24-hour care, 7 days a week.
- We work alongside some of the most talented veterinary specialists, allowing for access to exceptional collaborative care.
- State-of-the-art facilities and equipment are available to perform the latest surgeries such as total hip replacement and arthroscopy.
- We have established clear communication channels with primary care veterinarians
and work in partnership to provide expertise to you. - We utilize the most advanced diagnostic imaging available including MRI, CT scan
and fluoroscopy, available onsite. - We have made physical rehabilitation part of our standard of care, ensuring that
we are there for you and your pet during the entire recovery process.
Rehabilitation Services As A Standard Of Care
Companion animals can benefit from physical rehabilitation to recover from joint and muscle trauma, orthopedic and neurological surgeries, geriatric wellness, and weight loss and strength training programs. Physical rehabilitation is an essential tool in veterinary medicine and is used for many purposes such as reducing pain and inflammation, improving mobility and function, neuromuscular re-education and increasing overall comfort for patients while recovering from injury, surgery and many other conditions. At Veterinary Surgical Centers, rehabilitation services are available to all patients and are provided in conjunction with your referral.
Our department is overseen by Kasey Kephart, CCRP, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner.
Physical Rehabilitation Services
- Proprioception and balance exercises
- Laser therapy
- Therapeutic massage, stretching and range of motion exercises
- Strength training and conditioning
- Land treadmill exercise
- Neuromuscular re-education
- Cold and heat therapy
Expanding Capabilities Through Research
Founder and Chief of Surgery, Dr. Anke Langenbach, has created a culture that is forward thinking and dedicated to improving the surgical options available to companion animals. Thus, at any given time you will likely find VSC actively involved in research or clinical studies for the advancement of a particular procedure or condition. Along with research comes publishing and presenting, something several of the staff are known for both in the US and abroad.
Specialists:
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons Diplomate, European College of Veterinary Surgeons, Dr. Med Vet Chief of Surgery
Dr. Anke Langenbach, owner and Chief Surgeon, is a Diplomate of the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Surgeons. She earned her veterinary degree in 1992 from the University of Munich, College of Veterinary Medicine in Germany. Dr. Langenbach was awarded a scholarship allowing her a combined American and German education. She spent most of her third year of veterinary school at Kansas State University and part of her fourth year at Ohio State University, Cornell University, and Animal Medical Center of New York. After receiving her veterinary degree, she continued her studies with a 1-year internship followed by a 3-year residency program at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine. After completion of her residency, she stayed with the University, accepting a lecturing position. Dr. Langenbach achieved Diplomate status as a board certified surgeon in 1998. Following her extensive academic career, Dr. Langenbach moved to Northern Virginia to work in private referral practice. Since her time at the University, Dr. Langenbach has published several articles, authored a book chapter, and has presented at many regional and local meetings, as well as national meetings held by the College of Veterinary Surgeons. She is currently participating in clinical research at the University of Pennsylvania involving neoplasia in feline patients and a clinical trial for Cisplatin Bead efficacy in both canine and feline patients. Dr. Langenbach was also featured in the book “In Their Shoes” by Debbie Reiber. She presented at the 2007 Annual Surgeons Summit and the European Surgeons Summit in Basel, Switzerland, in July 2008. Her other areas of research interest relate to bone and joint diseases and injuries of the canine patient. Dr. Langenbach lives with her husband, two sons, two dogs, and three cats in Vienna, VA. Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Dr. Lazar, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons,
graduated from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary
Medicine in 1996. He continued his academic career with a 1-year
internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City and followed
with a 3-year surgical residency at Affiliated Veterinary Specialists, a
large specialty referral practice in Maitland, Florida. Originally from
Northern Virginia, Dr. Lazar decided to move back to the area following
his academic studies. He joined our team of surgeons in 2002 and was
awarded Diplomate status as a board certified surgeon by the American
College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2003. During Dr. Lazar’s tenure with
Veterinary Surgical Center, he has actively pursued his interests in
orthopedic surgery, learning new techniques such as Cementless Total Hip
Replacements and TTA (tibial tuberosity advancement) for the repair of
cranial cruciate tears. He was the first surgeon in Northern Virginia to
offer the TTA procedure. Dr. Lazar’s other area of interest is
laparoscopy and thoracoscopy. These procedures improve our ability to
diagnose and treat certain conditions with minimally invasive surgery.
Dr. Lazar resides in Reston, Virginia, with his wife and two sons along
with two dogs and three cats. Practice Limited to Surgery
Dr. Prink received his veterinary degree from the University of
Minnesota in 2005. Following veterinary school, he completed a one-year
rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the
University of Georgia. Dr. Prink recently completed a small animal
surgery residency at the University of California-Davis. During his
residency, he completed supplemental training in arthroscopic surgery
and cementless total hip replacement. His primary area of research
interest was in the identification of biomarkers of osteoarthritis. His
professional interests include: fracture repair, arthroscopic surgery
and surgical correction of liver shunts. 
Kasey Kephart graduated from Argosy University of Minnesota in 2002 with an Associate of Science degree as a Certified Veterinary Technician and certificate of wildlife and marine mammal science. She then continued her education at the University of Tennessee, where she became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner. She has worked as a CVT for 8 years and as a Director of Rehabilitation for 2 years. She has a special interest in canine fitness and physiology. She is an outdoor adventurer and spends much of her time hiking, biking and camping. She is originally from Alexandria, MN; she now lives in Sterling, VA, with her English setter, “Gertie,” and her cat, “Oliver.”
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Veterinary Surgical Centers
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