Dr. Debbie Dorsey is a graduate of the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, in Gainesville, Florida. She is licensed to practice in the states of Hawai’i, Florida and New Hampshire. She came to Hawai’i on vacation after she graduated in 1983 and fell in love with the state.

Dr. Dorsey’s life passion is the care of all animals. “For me nothing makes my heart sing than helping a sick pet…it’s the look or even sometimes the licks from my patients that makes my life worthwhile!” Debbie also loves the challenge of animal dermatology. “Nothing gives me more joy than to diagnose a sick animal with a skin condition and see it weeks later fully recovered.” Many local veterinary practices send Dr. Dorsey their tough dermatology cases to diagnose and treat.

Dr. Dorsey is an avid wind-surfer and certified SCUBA diver. She has a deep respect for the Hawaiian culture and enjoys collecting Ni’ihau shell leis, Japanese glass fishing net floats and photography.

Dr. Terry Smith is a graduate of the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, in Gainesville, Florida. He is licensed to practice in the states of Hawai’i, Florida and California. He came to Hawai’i after graduation in 1982 to surf. Dr. Smith is currently the President of the Maui County Veterinary Medical Association and he is also a licensed General Contractor in the state of Florida.

Over the years, Dr. Smith has focused his veterinary medical talents on animal surgery. He has performed many of the first of its type surgeries on Maui, including bone plating, bone transplant and neuro-surgery, with “State of the art” tools and techniques. “I can not describe my feeling of joy seeing a dog or cat walk again after a successful neuro-surgery!”

An avid surfer, certified SCUBA diver and wind-surfer, Terry also enjoys Hawaiian paddle boat races. He was once a member of a local paddling halau. On his days off, he can be found either in the ocean or on a golf course.

After graduating and visiting Hawai’i, Doctors Dorsey and Smith worked for a short time in Florida and formed Veterinary Relief Associates, which provided temporary medical assistance to established veterinarian practices. After several years assisting veterinary doctors on the mainland and in the Hawaiian Islands, they decided to build their own practice on Maui.

Over the years, Kahului Animal Hospital was built with the “blood, sweat and tears” of Drs. Dorsey and Smith, along with the help and support of many family members and island friends. It formally opened its doors in May, 1991. Since that time, KAH has become the Premier Veterinary Practice on Maui. It is:

• The first State of Hawaii approved animal quarantine hospital on Maui
• The first animal hospital on Maui to use gas anesthetic on its surgery patients
• The first American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) approved clinic on Maui
• The first on Maui to perform bone transplant surgery

The hospital also has a special interest in dermatology and neuro-surgery cases and receives many referrals from other clinics to diagnose and treat.

Kahului Animal Hospital is a member of:

• Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association
• American Animal Hospital Association
• Maui County Veterinary Medical Association
• Maui County Chamber of Commerce