Veterinarian Overview
He grew up in Hicksville, NY, that is right, Hicksville. If you have never heard of Hicksville it was a mecca for plastic drinking straw manufacturing and home to Gruman Aircraft Corporation, and the place where Dr. Spindel first developed his love for animals. Dr. Spindel graduated from Cornell University, College of Agriculture, where he participated in research focused on the cause of white muscle disease in woodchucks. He was awarded his Bachelor of Science with honors in 1978. From there he moved on to Auburn University, Alabama, completing a Master of Science degree in 1980. He published his thesis on the morphology of the tongue of alligator snapping turtles, the largest fresh water turtle in the world. (Everyone has read this life altering paper at one time or another!). Dr. Spindel joined the Class of 1984 at the NYS College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. A special moment in his training occurred during his sophomore year, when he met and went on to assist Dr. David Graham, a preeminent pathologist in the Department of Avian and Aquatic Medicine. This relationship lit the fire that still burns today, an intense interest in the medical and surgical treatment of other species; birds, reptiles, elephants, tigers
.and the list goes on. His real education began upon graduating with his DVM, when Dr. Spindel moved to Syracuse to pursue his desire to become a veterinarian in private practice with an affiliation at the Burnet Park Zoo. For many years he assisted with the care of the zoo's collection, while developing a private practice comprised of domestic and exotic pets.
