About & Meet Dr. House
Specialty surgery grounded in experience and a lifelong commitment to animals.
Small Animal Surgical Services, PLLC is a specialty small-animal surgical practice serving Maine from its facility at 1185 US Route 1 in Freeport. The practice works directly with pet owners while also collaborating closely with primary-care veterinary teams when specialty surgical care is needed.
A Little About Dr. House
A career built around a lifelong goal of helping companion animals.
Dr. Mark House was born in Ontario, Canada, and grew up there for most of his life. From a young age, he was interested in the care and well-being of his own pets and aspired to become a veterinarian. He began saving for veterinary school by taking on a variety of jobs, including newspaper delivery, mowing lawns, landscaping, working at a hardware store, working at a machine shop, and working at local veterinary clinics. Because veterinary education is a long and expensive process, he remained focused on his goal of one day helping companion animals.
Dr. House graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, in 2004. With a strong interest in small-animal surgery, he moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he completed a one-year general internship at The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
He then relocated to Long Island, New York, where he continued his training at Long Island Veterinary Specialists (LIVS). From 2005–2006, he completed a surgery internship and began developing an extensive surgical skill set. Following the internship, he was invited to remain at LIVS for a three-year surgery residency program. From 2006–2009, he trained in a broad range of procedures involving soft-tissue, orthopedic, and neurologic diseases. During his four years at LIVS, Dr. House performed more than 1,200 surgical procedures, building a broad base of surgical experience and knowledge.
Following completion of his residency in 2009, Dr. House moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he practiced surgery at a busy specialty hospital until 2011. During this time, he completed the board-certification requirements for the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and passed the certification examination in 2010, becoming a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
- DVM, ACVS-SA.
- Veterinarian since 2004; performing surgery since 2006.
- Board-certified veterinary surgeon since 2010.
- Maine veterinary license: VT 2005.
- More than 1,200 surgical procedures performed during four years at LIVS.
- Thousands of TPLOs and other orthopedic and soft-tissue surgeries.
11 years of veterinary training
From veterinary school through internship, surgery internship, residency, and board certification, Dr. House's training was shaped by a sustained focus on small-animal surgery.
Beyond the operating room
Family, outdoors, and a life centered around helping animals.
After completing his veterinary training, an 11-year process, Dr. House has focused his efforts on helping small animals who require surgery while also making time for his family.
When he is not working, he enjoys hiking, camping, canoeing, and skiing with his family.
Why a veterinary surgeon?
Specialty knowledge for surgical cases.
Focused training
Veterinary surgical specialists undergo advanced training focused on surgical decision-making, technique, anesthesia considerations, complications, and postoperative care.
Team-based care
SASS works with primary-care veterinary practices so the patient's existing medical relationship remains connected to the surgical plan.
Case-specific planning
Surgical candidacy, diagnostics, timing, and recovery expectations should be discussed based on the individual patient and procedure.
Proudly serving all of Maine
From Portland north to the Maine border, with particular focus on Mid-Coast and Southern Maine communities. Referring practices statewide are welcome.