DANIEL D. SMEAK, DVM, DACVS, is Professor and Chief of Surgery and Dentistry at Colorado State University. His research interests include development and assessment of innovative methods to train students and residents in core surgical skills, as well investigating a wide range of soft tissue surgical conditions. He remains active in the soft tissue surgery specialty practice at his institution, and he enjoys delivering interactive continuing education lectures and wet labs to veterinarians worldwide. Daniel Smeak received his DVM degree from Michigan State University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 1979. After completing an internship at Colorado State University, he began a Small Animal Surgery residency at The Ohio State University. In 1983, following his residency, he accepted a surgery faculty position at OSU. He became board certified in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1986. Dr. Smeak was Professor of Surgery at and Head of the Surgery Section The Ohio State University until 2007. He returned to Colorado State University in August 2007, and became Hospital Director at their Veterinary Teaching Hospital. He is currently Chief of Surgery and Dentistry at CSU. Dr. Smeak’s main academic interests are in field of surgical training of veterinary students and residents, and in soft tissue surgery. He has produced over 18 teaching video autotutorials and 4 surgical simulators. Many of his research grants and publications have been related to methods to better prepare students for the live experience in surgery. He has been the keynote speaker at many veterinary surgery symposia in Europe, North and South America, Africa, india, Korea, and Japan about this subject. Dr. Smeak has co-edited two textbooks, and written over 50 book chapters. He has written over 120 articles and abstracts in the realm of veterinary soft tissue surgery. Dr. Smeak has been recognized for his clinical expertise and innovative surgical training methods throughout the world. He was chosen as Referral Veterinarian of the Year by the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association three times, and awarded the prestigious Norden Distinguished Teacher Award, The Ohio State University Clinical Teaching Excellence Award, Colorado State University Excellence in Teaching Award and Merck AgVet Award for Creativity for his teaching efforts. He was awarded a Fulbright Research and Teaching Grant in 2004 to set up a surgical training program in Finland. He was also honored with the Waltham Award by the American Animal Hospital Association in recognition for his teaching efforts to improve the well-being of companion animals throughout the world. Soon after, Dr. Smeak was awarded the William and Eleanor Cave award, by the Alternative Research and Development Foundation for achievements in developing alternatives to the traditional use of animals in veterinary surgery instruction. He remains active in soft tissue surgery specialty practice at his institution, and he enjoys delivering interactive continuing education lectures and wet labs to veterinarians worldwide.