Dr. Wadyal Celebrates 25 Years in Oyster Bay

When Dr. Surinder S. Wadyal, DVM came to the United States in 1973, on a special science visa, he intended on staying for a few years and then returning to his homeland India. However after almost 35 years in the U.S. and 25 years as the owner of Oyster Bay Animal Hospital, located at 64 Pine Hollow Road, Dr. Wadyal has become a pillar in the community and considers the Oyster Bay-East Norwich vicinity his home.
As Dr. Wadyal explained, “I have a lot of opportunities to go back to India. I usually visit there about twice a year to see my friends and family there, but Oyster Bay is my home.”
Although he is an active member of the community who has served on the board of the Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich and is a member of the Oyster Bay Rotary Club and the Theodore Roosevelt Association, he purchased the animal hospital not knowing anything about the area. Dr. Wadyal had hit a salary at the practice he was working for in New Hyde Park. His employer and mentor Dr. Anthony Crawford recommended that Dr. Wadyal follow the American Dream and start his own practice. Dr. Donald Beck, who opened the Oyster Bay animal hospital in 1964, had the office for sale. With the help of Dr. Crawford, Dr. Wadyal purchased the animal hospital form Dr. Beck.
A resident of East Norwich for the past 23 years, both his son Raj, 28, and daughter Komal, 23, have been schooled throughout the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District. In the spring Dr. Wadyal and his wife Jatinder, who he credits as being his “rock,” will celebrate the graduations of both of their children. Raj Wadyal will graduate from American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in St. Maarten. Komal Wadyal will graduate with her Master’s degree in public health from Drexel University, located in Philadelphia, PA.
In addition to being involved in his community Dr. Wadyal is committed to his profession. He is a member and past president of the Long Island Veterinary Medicine Association (LIVMA) and continuously participates in local as well as national continuing education classes. In 2004, the LIVMA honored Dr. Wadyal with the veterinarian of the Year award.
Besides his medical practice that assists with the tradition cats and dogs as well as a few goats and sheep, Dr. Wadyal has a history of volunteering his skills when the situation arises. He assisted at Ground Zero after the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. Caring for the dogs that were of the search and rescue teams as well as the recovery teams, veterinarians from the tri-state area volunteered his skills and worked 12-hour shifts for weeks giving medical treatment to the dogs just as doctors were treating workers.
In addition he also helped with the transported pets form the Hurricane Katrina disaster to the New York area. For his efforts he has been awarded the New York State Senate Liberty Award by the State Senator Carl Marcellino, in 2006 for as Marcellino describes his, “selfless and courageous service to victims of the Hurricane Katrina Disaster.”
Dr. Wadyal considers the animals he treats like his children. As such, he worries about who will take care of them as time goes on. Although he has no plans of going anywhere he is planning for the inevitable future. He is actively looking for a successor who shares his views and his love of veterinary medicine.
Oyster Bay Animal Hospital is a full-service facility that treats, grooms and boards traditional domesticated animals. Lab work and surgery can also be done on premises. The office is open seven days a week. Office hours are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and Friday from 7:30am to 5pm and Sunday from 9am to 5pm. For more information, call (516) 624-Pets (7387).
-Faith Rackoff
reprinted in the 1/04/08 issue of the Oyster Bay Guardian