Dr. Abel is a board certified Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Iowa State University in 1985. He has been practicing in the Chicagoland area since 1985. In 2003 he completed a surgical residency at Norwood Park Animal Hospital and in 2005 he became board certified.

Prior to joining VCA Aurora Animal Hospital, Dr. Abel was at Animal Emergency Center in Milwaukee. He has served as small animal representative of AVMA Drug Advisory Committee. Dr. Abel specializes in both orthopedic and soft tissue surgery and is certified in TPLO.