Dr. Edward Song, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (C/F),CVA

Board Certified Specialist for Canine and Feline

Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist 

     We are very pleased to announce to our loyal clients & patients that our main veterinarian, Dr. Edward Song, became the first and only ABVP “Board Certified Specialist for Canine and Feline” in Laguna Niguel and he is also a well known “Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist”. ABVP Diplomates in Canine and Feline Practice offer proven knowledge and expertise above and beyond other veterinarians and have earned the privilege to specialize in the treatment of dogs and cats. By this achievement, Dr. Song demonstrates a strong commitment to the best possible care for your pet. 

     Dr. Song now became part of a small group of veterinarians across the country who has earned the title "Diplomate" from the ABVP Board Certified Specialist for Canine and Feline. To become a “Board Certified Specialist,” Dr. Song made a choice to undergo a very long and difficult process that took several years to complete. He made the professional choice to pursue additional studies and examinations to achieve this outstanding goal.

  Dr. Song has been practicing small animal veterinary medicine for over 11 years. He received his DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) from the GNU. He transferred to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York (CFVG). Dr. Song also completed two additional externships in small animal surgery with board certified veterinary surgeons, cardiologists and internists in New York City at the Ultravet Diagnostics Veterinary Imaging and Referral Center and at the Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists for 6 months.

      Following graduation, Dr. Song completed an additional year of specialty training, as veterinarian at California Animal Hospital-Veterinary Specialty Group in Los Angeles. During this year, he worked with board certified surgeons, neurologists, internists (one of them was Dr. Steve Ettinger), cardiologists, and dentists. Dr. Song also published a paper on the topic of critical care in Pulse veterinary journal. Upon completion of his specialty training, Dr. Song continued his education at the University of Missouri-Columbia Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (UMCVMTH) as a surgery specialty veterinarian in Small Animal Surgery (90%) and Emergency/Critical Care (10%). During this specialty program, he rotated between small animal soft tissue and orthopedic surgery department every 3 months at the UMCVMTH. He scrubbed in for almost all referred surgeries (orthopedic and soft tissue) cases, assisting faculty and teaching senior year students in courses. Dr. Song practiced as an emergency veterinarian at the Animal Emergency and Referral Hospital (AERH) in Lee's Summit, MO. At the AERH, he performed various routine and emergency medical and surgical procedures to stabilize patients and applied advanced surgical and medical experience from exceptional Small Animal Surgery Specialty Training.

     Dr. Song has lectured locally, nationally and internationally. He has given lectures at the Surgery Symposium of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Washington, DC; 12th International Symposia of the Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society, San Antonio, TX; Phi Zeta Research Symposium, University of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine, MO;  GNU. He also presented "Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Medical and Surgical Treatment Options", "Extrahepatic Protosystemic Shunt (PSS) Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Medical and Surgical Treatment Options", and others at the University of Missouri-Columbia, MO, USA. He published one surgery experimental study and a case study as a first author and 3 additional papers as a coauthor. His publications represent his exceptional experiences that include "Comparison of Different Tube Materials and Use of Chinese Finger Trap or Four Friction Suture Technique for Securing Gastrostomy, Jejunostomy, and Thoracostomy Tubes in Dogs" published in Veterinary Surgery and "Long term survival of dogs and cats following cholecystoenterostomy Retrospective studies of 19 cases (1991-2005)" published in Journal of American Animal Hospital Association, "Radiographic measurement of the proximal and distal mechanical joint angles in the canine tibia" in Veterinary Surgery, "Lateral approach for the surgical management of cricopharyngeal dysphagia in dogs" published in Compendium, and "Odontogenic cyst in a dog"published in Topic of critical care in Pulse veterinary publication.

     Upon completion of his 2 years of Specialty Training, Dr. Song has enjoyed practicing small animal medicine. He was employed as an associate veterinarian at private practices in California. He provided routine and advanced qualified medical and surgical services at these practices, including orthopedic (ruptured ACL repair, medial patella luxation ["knee cap luxation"], fracture repair, etc.), advanced tumor[oncology]/soft tissue/reconstructive surgeries and many other advanced surgeries.

      Dr. Song is one of few Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) through the Chi institute, Florida. Dr. Song enjoys integrating acupuncture and Herbal Medicine into his practice of advanced medical cases, chronic geriatric diseases, and pet rehabilitation.

     Dr. Song is one of few Certified Veterinarians in Advanced Minimal Invasive Surgeries through the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Colorado State University. South Coast Veterinary Hospital is fully equipped for the General (spay, prophylactic gastropexy, etc.) and Advanced Minimal Invasive Surgeries via size of key holes. He also has certifications in the advanced additional trainings (e.g. TTA Surgery for Torn ACL, HELICA Total Hip Replacement, Advanced Echocardiography, Abdominal Ultrasound, External Skeletal Fixation, Advanced Osteotomy and Fracture Management Surgery). He also has certifications in the Advanced Vet Ophthalmology Medicine and Surgery from Germany and France. He was a member of Honor Society of Veterinary Medicine, The Society of Phi Zeta.

     Dr. Song is a member of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, American Association of Feline Practitioners,  the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, and the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society. Dr. Song loves to see his patients' quality of life improve utilizing his exceptional trainings and experiences for the best possible outcome. Dr. Song and his team's goal are to have the finest veterinary hospital in the area. Please come and experience our team's exceptional care for your pet and support for your family. Thank you very much for visiting our website.