Robert Waddell, known to most as Bob, grew up in Nassau County, New York as the middle child to a NYPD officer and an airline stewardess. Bob grew up with a menagerie of pets including Golden retrievers (Ivy, Holly, Amber, Dahlia), a black lab (Kitt), Yellow Labradors (Lucky, Huckleberry), an Amazon Yellow Nape Parrot (Maxwell), and a squirrel (Squbba the Super Squirrel). Dr. Waddell graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland where he received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. Bob was on the way to becoming a NYPD officer like his father, when he switched his career plan. He decided to combine his drive to help people with his love of animals. He began his career at North Shore Animal League and Long Island Veterinary Specialists before heading off to veterinary school.

Dr. Waddell earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree when he graduated with honors from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Waddell completed his veterinary clinical training at Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine and was the recipient of the Brasmer Award for Small Animal Surgery. Remembering how much he enjoyed working at Long Island Veterinary Specialists and helping his childhood community, he returned to his home to complete an intensive one year small animal internship in medicine and surgery at Long Island Veterinary Specialists. He then completed a one year surgical internship before again returning to Long Island Veterinary Specialists where he completed a three year residency program, under the direction of Dr. Dominic J. Marino. Dr. Waddell enjoys all aspects of small animal surgery with special interests in orthopedic and neurologic procedures including those that are minimally invasive.

When he is not providing care to his patients, Dr. Waddell enjoys spending time with his extended family; still located on Long Island, spending time in nearby Manhattan, hiking with his dogs, and losing himself in the art of carpentry work. He is an avid fan of the New York football Giants, New York Mets and the New York Islanders.