Do you know of a GOOD orthopedic surgeon for dogs?

I have a friend that adopted a crippled dog from a shelter. I have decided to help them pay for surgery for the dog if it will help her. I am looking for the BEST orthopedic surgeon in the south or midwest. Can anyone give any recommendations? As this will be costly we want a recommended surgeon. Someone that knows his/her stuff.BTW the dog was not born crippled. She had a back leg broken and the people that had her let it heal without seeing a vet. Somehow it messed up her other back leg, she lets that foot drag (bent backwards) and walks on the top of the foot instead of the pads.Frankly we have decided we want a surgeon that already knows his stuff. Not a student. It may cost more but we feel she will be better off. I want recommendations from people that have had their dog (or knows a friend that had their dog) operated on. I can travel with her so location is only semi important. I prefer to keep it to the south or midwest.

I suggest you get either a recommendation from a vet OR you take the dog to one of the many veterinarian teaching universities.I'm not in the south or mid-west, so I can't recommend.

I've heard everything good about:http://cvm.msu.edu/hospital

Depending on what state you live in I recommend any University Veterinary Hospital they have the latest methods and Equipment. The University of Minnesota has a great veterinary clinic been there quite a few times with my shih tzus when the normal vet could not do. http://www.cvm.umn.edu/vmc/aboutvmc/smallanimalspecialties/surgeryservices/index.htmStudents do not preform major surgeries on the dogs they do have regular staff just like any other veterinary clinic would have.

I am not in the South or Midwest, but you can try contacting Veterinary Surgical Specialists. They can put you in touch with a great orthopod in your area. It is a group founded by Dr. Thomas Scavelli of Garden State Veterinary Specialists...one of the best veterinary surgeons in the US (IMHO).