Dr. Steve Karras, a native Chicagoan, moved to central
Oregon in his youth. Dr. Karras
attended Oregon State University and earned his Bachelor of Science in Animal
Science. While at Veterinary
School in Oregon, Dr. Karras met and married his best friend Valerie
Edwards. They both received their
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degrees in 1989 from the combined Washington,
Oregon and Idaho Regional Veterinary Program.
A clinical internship in Medicine and Surgery at Virginia Tech
brought him to SW Virginia and made him a Hokie. Following his internship, Dr. Karras joined Cave Spring
Veterinary Clinic in 1990. Dr.
Karras became Veterinarian-in-Charge in July 1993. As Hospital Directors, Dr. Karras and Dr. Edwards led Cave
Spring Veterinary Clinic to American Animal Hospital Association Accreditation
in 1994. Cave Spring Veterinary
Clinic also participates with the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of
Veterinary Medicine as an affiliate refferal hospital.
As a leader in the veterinary community, Dr. Karras is
active with many local and state organizations. He is a participating/consulting veterinarian with St.
Francis of Assisi Service Dog Foundation, Virginia Police Work Dog Association,
Roanoke City Police Department, Roanoke County Police Department and Virginia
State Police Department. His
community work has included WSLS-TV Channel 10 & WDBJ-TV Channel 7 Veterinary Segments, Health
Department Rabies Committees and Roanoke Valley SPCA directorship. He has previously served as the
President of the Roanoke Valley Veterinary Medical Association and was the
2008-2009 President of the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association. He remains active on several committees
within the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Karras maintains an active relationship with the College
of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech.
He served as Director to the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association and
as an advisor to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech and the
Veterinary Technology Program at Blue Ridge Community College. He is a leader and active participant
in the veterinary student Mentorship Program and has served as an adjunct
instructor for Blue Ridge Community College's Veterinary Technology Distance
Education Program.
In 2004, Dr. Karras achieved Diplomate status as a member of
the American Board of Veterinary Practicitioners in Canine and Feline
Specialty. Dr. Karras is
acknowledged as both a Canine and a Feline Specialist. Diplomates are recognized experts in
the integrated case management of the medical and surgical needs of dogs and
cats. Diplomate status is
maintained through rigorous continuing education requirements and
recertification every ten years.
The Distinguished Virginia Veteriniarian Award was presented
to Dr. Karras by the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association in 2011.
As well as loving his "Honey", two wonderful
daughters and his critters at home (too many to mention), Dr. Karras is also an
avid waterskier. When he is not in
the clinic, he and his family may be found in and behind the Ski Nautique
trying to perfect a slalom run, a new wakeboard trick or riding the Air
Chair. So when outside the clinic,
Dr. Karras is usually "all wet"!
