Tales from a Young Vet: Mad cows, crazy kittens, and all creatures big and small
£7.60
The funny, touching and entertaining story of how Jo Hardy, the star of BBC2’s Young Vets, gets to grips with animals big and small, friendly and not-at-all-happy, on the road to becoming a fully qualified vet.
‘Stand well clear. Keep your eyes on them. Oh, and make sure you have insurance.’
Not the most comforting words of wisdom, but probably the most useful for a trainee vet, Jo would say. From well-equipped surgeries to windswept hills and ramshackle barns, Jo has to be able to diagnose and treat any animal, at any time of the day or night. It’s not quite as easy as James Herriot made it seem.
Jo’s final year of training saw her race from rectal examinations of cows to spine surgery on a Great Dane, and from treating an eventing horse with a heart problem to inserting a contraceptive implant into a monkey.
And then there were the owners – the tough guy who sobbed when his cat was diagnosed with cancer, the woman who was convinced her dog was embarrassed by its stomach upset, and the farmer who loved his cows as much as anyone loves their pets.
Gruelling days of animal treatments and visits combined with long nights of study and revision made Jo’s final year of training the most demanding and rewarding year of her life. Her book tells of the highs and lows, the pets that stole her heart, and the lifelong friends that she made – with two legs and four.
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Additional information
| Publisher | Harper Element (5 Nov. 2015) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 320 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0008142483 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0008142483 |
| Dimensions | 13 x 2.03 x 19.71 cm |
by Deb
I can’t think of any part of this book I disliked. I wish I had been a vet but there is no way I would have coped with the studying and you can understand from Jo’s writing how totally dedicated a vet is. I felt the tension going through the exams and waiting for the results. Eager to read the next book and find out where her life is going
by Rob Kemp
The book look very good and it was a short delay only but im very pleased
by B Smith
Fortunately the cows weren’t actually suffering from that particularly distressing disease! I felt as much in a while as the author had been by the end, but I also understood more of the pressures a vet undergoes before being “let loose” on the world.
by Amazon Customer
I loved this book. Jo has such a way of story telling you think you are there with her. Cannot wait to read the next.
by M. Trotman
Purchased as a present for an young girl aspiring girl to be a vet. It has had a positive impact.
by Amazon Customer
All books like this I find interesting, this one is a good reead, especially if you are interested
by Therese Bonat
The book look very good and it was a short delay only but im very pleased
by Brightmount
This is a feelgood read with lots of heartwarming animal stories, as well as the engaging story of a vet student’s personal journey through her life-changing final year. Although for Jo Hardy, there was a twist, she was one of a small group of students being filmed by ITN productions for an observational documentary, BBC2’s Young Vets. You don’t actually need to have seen this series to appreciate the book however, although some of the stories featured on the show are covered, there are many more, including Jo’s involvement with wildlife in South Africa. This is one student’s honestly told experience, the single focus and greater depth allowing the reader to feel invested in her journey, experiencing the highs and lows, and her professional development over the year long period. I would even add that the reader will have a much improved veterinary knowledge at the end of the book, as the conditions and procedures are explained in very understandable terms, there is no overly technical jargon to upset the flow of the narrative, but at the same time, you are left in awe of the facilities and knowledge that exists at the Royal Veterinary College and the profession as a whole in the 21st century that is reassuring to any animal owner. It’s the modern focus that differentiates this book from the James Herriot classics.
I think this book will appeal to any secondary school student with an eye on studying veterinary medecine as it gives a very contemporary insight into what to expect. It is also an enjoyable read for animal lovers of any age. Plus for anyone interested in television production, there is that element to the book as well. Highly recommended to all.