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by Joan Lowell Smith
Friday, August 08, 2008
When Barry Adler attended Hebrew School at Adath Israel in
Woodbridge, he never dreamed he'd be practicing veterinary
medicine in the same building one day.
He did know that he wanted to be a veterinarian at an early age,
though, and wound up at Ohio State Veterinary School, where he
met Ira Niedweske. The two formed a friendship that led them to
establish a practice together after they graduated.
Back to dreams. Way back in 1978, when they set up their
practice, it was a humble place on Oak Tree Road in Iselin.
When business boomed, each started his own hospital, remaining
partners in both. Niedweske is based at Iselin Veterinary Hospital and Adler at Woodbridge Veterinary Group and Hospital. Last
month, another dream became reality, with the completion of a stunningly modern new hospital on Amboy Avenue in
Woodbridge -- in a most unusual location.
Adler tells how this new site came to be: "I was driving along Amboy Avenue and stopped for a light when I saw Bob Golden, a
local realtor. 'Hey doc,' he shouted, 'I've got a property you might like.'" Lo and behold, it was Adler's old synagogue, built in 1948,
but unoccupied for years. Within weeks, he and Niedweske made an offer and it was theirs. That was two years ago.
On July 28, the partners were joined by township officials, their staff and loyal customers to celebrate the official launch the new
facility. More than 100 clients and relatives of the veterinarians gathered to join the celebration on the steps of the facility, which
then moved into the gleaming lobby.
I'm so glad I'd visited the hollowed-out synagogue before the transition began last November, making the impact of the
transformation truly amazing. This is not just a glitzy new hospital. The practice offers the latest in modern technology, plenty of
space for animals awaiting surgery, recovery rooms, spacious kennels and cheery boarding rooms. An ultrasound unit has been
added and the radiology unit has been converted to the latest in digital radiology. A separate room is dedicated to endoscopy and
other special procedures.
Frank Mistretta, a devoted client from Edison, was nostalgic. "When they started out on Oak Tree 30 years ago, they were
right by my deli," he recalled. "This is tremendous. I'm so impressed." One client had asked good-naturedly if fees would go up
to pay for the renovation. No way. "Dr. Niedweske and I have always tried to keep fees reasonable and be compassionate with
all cases. That will never change," Adler assures.
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