After graduating from the University of Veterinary Medicine (Vienna, Austria, 2000) and a period in equine practice in Germany, Dr. Labens underwent speciality training in Equine Surgery by completing an equine rotating internship at the University of Liege, Belgium, a senior clinical scholarship in equine surgery at the University of Glasgow, UK and a residency in equine surgery at North Carolina State University, USA. During this time he also obtained a master degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Glasgow and a doctoral degree in comparative biomedical sciences from NC State University.

Dr Labens has held clinical appointments at the University of Glasgow, NC State University and the University of Edinburgh and he remains an Adjunct Assistant Professor at NC State University. He is certified by the American and European College of Veterinary Surgeons as an equine surgical specialist and by the American College for Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation as a specialist in this field also. As a certified veterinary acupuncturist (Chi Institute) Dr Labens also offers complementary treatment approaches in his patient care.

Dr Labens’ clinical and experimental research largely focuses on musculoskeletal disease and diagnostic imaging which is represented by his scientific publications.