Dr. Ah Young Kim
DVM, MS, DACVSMR, CCRT, CVA
A Bit About Me
I graduated from Seoul National University in South Korea with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 2014. I then completed a Master’s degree with advanced training in orthopaedic and neurosurgery.
After working as a surgeon in specialty practices in Korea, I developed a strong interest in the nonsurgical treatment of mobility issues and rehabilitation. In 2019, I moved to the United States to pursue a residency in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation at Colorado State University.
I have a deep passion for being a "gait keeper" — helping animals regain function, reduce pain, and improve their quality of life through thoughtful, evidence-based care. During my residency, I conducted research on canine gene therapy for osteoarthritis and muscle mass measurement techniques.
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My clinical interests include:
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Rehabilitation and return to function
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Biologic therapies
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Veterinary orthotics and prosthetics
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Gait analysis
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Diagnosis of complex and subtle lameness cases
Currently, I lead the Orthopaedic Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at Animal Referral Hospital – Canberra Veterinary Specialists in Australia. I also founded Animal Rehab Solutions to share what I’ve learned — and to help veterinarians deliver advanced rehabilitation care through hands-on workshops, online courses, and clinical mentorship.
Work Experience
March 2023 - Present
July 2019 - July 2022
December 2018
December 2017
April 2017 - April 2019
March 2014 - Feb 2017
March 2008 - Feb 2014
Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist (DACVSMR)
Animal Referral Hospital Canberra, Australia
Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Resident
Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Colorado, USA
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT)
Canine Rehabilitation Institute, USA
Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA)
Chi University, USA
Surgeon in VIP Animal Medical Center and Gwangju Animal Medical Center, South Korea
Master's degree (MS) in Veterinary Surgery (Orthoopedics & Neurosurgery)
Seoul National University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, South Korea
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
Research & Publications
AY Kim, LH Elam, NE Lambrechts, MD Salman, FM Duerr. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass assessment in dogs: a scoping literature review. BMC Veterinary Research. 2022 Dec;18(1):1-7.
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AY Kim, FM Duerr, JN Phillips, RJ Samulski, JC Grieger, LR Goodrich. Serotype-specific transduction of canine joint tissue explants and cultured monolayers by self-complementary adeno-associated viral vectors. Gene Therapy. 2022 Oct 20:1-7.
AY Kim, YS Kim, SH Lee, YS Yoon, WH Kim, OK Kweon, Effect of gelatin on osteogenic cell sheet formation using canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, Cell Transplantation, 2017
H Kim, AY Kim, BJ Kim, Insertional biceps tendinopathy palliated successfully with intra-articular triamcinolone acetonide injection in a dog: a case report, Veterinary Medicine and Science, 2023
IU Khan, YS Yoon, AY Kim, KR Jo, KU Choi, TS Jung, NY Kim, YS Son, WH Kim, OK Kweon, Improved healing after co-transplantation of HO-1 and BDNF over expressed mesenchymal stem cells in the subacute spinal injury of dogs, Cell Transplantation, 2018
SH Lee, YS Kim, D Ryu, AY Kim, GR Jo, WH Kim, OK Kweon, Impact of local injection of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-expressing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) combined with intravenous MSC delivery in a canine model of chronic spinal cord injury, Cytotherapy, 2017
SH Lee, Y Kim, D Rhew, AY Kim, KR Jo, Y Yoon, KU Choi, T Jung, WH Kim, OK Kweon. Effect of canine mesenchymal stromal cells overexpressing heme oxygenase-1 in spinal cord injury. Journal of Veterinary Science. 2017
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M Kim, YS Kim, SH Lee, M Kuk, AY Kim, WH Kim, OK Kweon, Comparison of viability and antioxidant capacity between canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and heme oxygenase-1-overexpressed cells after freeze-thawing, Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 2016
