Dr. Joel Edwards earned his DVM Degree from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1964. Upon graduation, he was employed as an associate veterinarian at the Cornwall Animal Hospital in Cornwall, Vermont. After working for 2 years at Cornwall Animal Hospital, he was inducted into the Army Veterinary Corps and served in Vietnam where he was awarded a Bronze Star for his service. Upon returning from Army duty, Dr. Edwards worked as an associate veterinarian at the Goodman Animal Hospital in Manhasset, NY.
In 1970, Dr. Edwards and fellow veterinarian Dr. David Wolfe founded the Shaker Veterinary Hospital in Latham, NY. In 1978, after several years of rigorous studying and training, Dr. Edwards was inducted as a diplomate into the American College of Veterinary Medicine with a specialty in Cardiology.
Dr. Edwards founded the Capital Region Veterinary Medical Specialties in 1980, a specialty referral practice in cardiology, and continued working at the referral practice until 2000. From 1983-1985, he served as an associate professor in veterinary medicine at Cornell University, where he taught cardiology to veterinary students. Now semi-retired, he works as a member of the Upstate Veterinary Specialties Referral Practice Group and Hudson Highlands Veterinary Medical Group.
Dr. Edwards is married to Cinnia and have three children and five grandchildren. His non-professional interests include church activities, long distance hiking, playing golf, fishing, upland game bird hunting, woodworking and gardening. He is a founding member of Community Caregivers, a not-for-profit organization that cares for the frail elderly in their own homes. Dr. Edwards is also a founding member of the Capital District Animal Emergency Clinic and is the author of two veterinary textbooks and numerous scientific articles relating to veterinary cardiology.
