Dr. Douglas K.  Wyler- Director

Founding partner of The Animal Medical Hospital and Bird Clinic, and in Queens Trylon Vet Care and Whitestone Vet Care. A graduate of Cornell University and The University of Bologna Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Wyler, residing in nearby Rockville Centre, has been practicing here over 25 years.  He has had extensive post graduate training in surgery, both soft tissue and orthopedic, as well as radiology, dermatology and internal medicine. In addition, in 1999 Dr. Wyler completed the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society's course in Acupuncture. He was instrumental in computerizing the hospital in 1985, one of the first in our region. Dr. Wyler's training in laproscopic surgery in 1997 and video otoscopy in 2001 has added a new dimension to the level of care provided to our companion animals, not possible before without the latest technological advances in video endoscopy.

Dr. Wyler has played an active roll in organized veterinary medicine. He was President of the Long Island Veterinary Medical Association from 1996-1997, Chairman of the Ethics Committee, and  Chairman of the New York State Board for Veterinary Medicine. He is the recipient of numerous State Society and Regional Awards for Service to the Profession, and remains an active member of The American Veterinary Medical Association, as well as the New York State Veterinary Medical Society and the Long Island Veterinary Medical Association. In addition, Dr. Wyler is a member of the American Animal Hospital Association's Leadership Advisory Council. Finally, Dr. Wyler is also an educator. He taught pet owners, like you, about pet care for over 18 years as an adjunct lecturer at Molloy College in the department of continuing education. He is also a visiting professor of Veterinary Surgery at the University of Bologna (Italy) Faculty of Veterinary Medicine since 1999.

Click here to visit Dr. Wyler's Blog

Dr. Simon Starkey-

Board Certified Avian Specialist and Exotic Doctor

Dr. Simon Starkey graduated from Australia's oldest veterinary school, the University of Sydney, in 2001. During this time he obtained a strong foundation in small animal medicine and completed a one-year full-time honors project investigating feline diabetes in a joint project with Sydney?s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

After graduation Dr. Starkey moved to Ithaca where he undertook a PhD degree in veterinary preventive medicine. During that time his interest in avian and exotic pet medicine increased and he spent time as a volunteer clinician at Cornell's wildlife health Center (http://wildlife.vet.cornell.edu/). After finishing his PhD, Dr. Starkey undertook a two year residency program in avian, exotic pets and wildlife medicine at Cornell. Upon completing the program in July of 2008 he past his examinations for board certification in avian medicine.

Dr. Starkey joins our hospital after spending two years in a specialty avian and exotic pet clinic in Manhattan. He is excited to bring specialty avian care and high level exotic pet medicine to Queens and Western Nassau County. He is also excited to return to his roots in cat and dog medicine and work closely with Dr. Wyler, his staff, and all of his wonderful patients.

Click here to visit Dr. Starkey's Exoticpetvet Blog and his Birddoc's Blog.

Dr. Katarina Valen  

Dr. Katarina Valen was raised in Jamaica Estates, where her love of animals began.  After confirming her interest in veterinary medicine, by volunteering with local animal organizations and veterinary clinics, she applied and was accepted to The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.  Here, she focused her training on dog and cat medicine but remained interested in birds and exotics.  She also developed a love of college football (Go Buckeyes!).

After graduating in 2008, Dr. Valen moved back to New York and currently resides in Forest Hills.  She continued her veterinary education by completing a one year generalized small animal internship at The Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital of the ASPCA, and then a year grant at North Shore Animal League America.  

Dr. Valen's interest in the human-animal bond has brought her to private practice.  She is excited to work with owners in helping their pets achieve longer, healthier, happier lives.                                                                                

Dr. Catherine Wood

Dr. Catherine Wood attended the Cornell College of Veterinary
Medicine.  As a veterinary student, Dr. Wood volunteered at the
wildlife health center and for pet health care programs for low-income families.  She also conducted research in equine genetics.  After graduation in 2007, Dr. Wood completed a wildlife internship at Tufts University in Massachusetts and then a second internship in canine and feline emergency medicine at a private practice in Annapolis,Maryland.  During her internships, Dr. Wood developed particular interests in avian orthopedics and feline internal medicine. After all this training, Dr. Wood worked abroad for animal welfare charities in Malawi and Cambodia.

She is now very happy to return to the US and to be able to practice high-quality medicine for pets and their loving families.  She is particularly pleased to work in such a caring environment and with the devoted client base at Whitestone Veterinary Care and Animal Medical Hospital.