Veterinary Heroes: Surgery winner Daniel Stobie, DVM, MS, DACVS

Photo: Jeeheon Cho Photography

Daniel Stobie, DVM, MS, DACVS, (left) receives the Veterinary Heroes^TM award for Surgery from Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, chief veterinary officer for dvm360^®, during a celebratory gala on December 1, 2021 at Fetch, a dvm360^® conference, in San Diego, California.

dvm360^®, the No. 1 multimedia platform in the veterinary industry, announced the 8 winners of its inaugural Veterinary Heroes™ recognition program on November 16, 2021, including Daniel Stobie, DVM, MS, DACVS. Inductees were honored during a celebratory gala at Fetch, a dvm360^® conference, on December 1, 2021, at the San Diego Convention Center in California.

The Veterinary Heroes™ program honors individuals who have achieved landmark successes within veterinary medicine. Veterinary leaders are nominated by their peers for their remarkable achievements in improving patient outcomes. A panel of distinguished judges from the dvm360^® Advisory Board chose 1 honoree in each category who has made a measurable difference.

The Veterinary Heroes^TM program is sponsored by Nationwide, Merck, Zoetis, Clevor®, Blue Buffalo, NorthStar VETS, and MedVet.

The winners of the 2021 Veterinary Heroes™ program are being featured in an 8-part series. Part 7 focuses on Surgery winner Daniel Stobie, DVM, MS, DACVS.

Photo courtesy of NorthStar VETS.

Daniel Stobie, DVM, MS, DACVS, completed his undergraduate work at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Cook College, before graduating from the University of Missouri, College of Veterinary Medicine. He completed an internship in small-animal medicine and surgery at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, completed a 3-year surgical residency at the University of Minnesota, and a master’s degree in veterinary surgery, radiology, and anesthesia. Stobie also is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and completed the mini-MBA certificate program at the Rutgers School of Business.

In 2000, Stobie formed Veterinary Surgical and Diagnostic Specialists, a mobile surgical and ultrasound practice that has evolved into NorthStar VETS. He serves as chief of staff for the business, based in Robbinsville, New Jersey.

According to his nominator, Stobie demonstrated “steadfast leadership” throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. He implemented safety procedures for clients and staff, demonstrated gratitude for his veterinary team by providing food on busy days, and maintained transparency and communication with employees about ever-changing CDC recommendations through weekly Zoom meetings. Under his leadership, NorthStar VETS continued to see patients 24/7, even as many referring practices remained closed or operated with reduced hours.

Stobie said he was “blown away and humbled” to receive the Veterinary Heroes™ award, especially during a difficult time for the profession.

“I think what meant the most to me was when I realized I was nominated by my staff—I actually choked up to find this out. They are the ones who should be receiving this award in that they are the real heroes, doing the hard work, day in and day out, during the pandemic, and saving numerous animals and helping the public,” he added. Stobie said he has always had a love for animals and never wanted to do anything but become a veterinarian. “I find it very rewarding to see a sick or injured pet and restore them back to health. The appreciation and joy on the pet parent’s face makes it all worth it,” he said.

Stobie also participates in veterinary management groups, providing guidance on veterinary economics and practice management. He is involved in development of new and novel surgical techniques including the dome trochleoplasty for patellar luxations in dogs, and he pioneered a new total hip procedure.

Outside his practice, Stobie said he is a beekeeper and equestrian, who counts horseback riding with his daughter as one of his favorite activities. He relaxes by mowing his pastures on a tractor with his dog, and also enjoys gardening and going to the beach.