They had deemed it an experiment, unprofessional cruel, unethical and unjustified. This is at times a rambling, in the best possible way, account of his childhood on a farm in Ireland and his burning desire to become a vet, the long years of study and then his passion and vision to help animals with innovative techniques.īut the book begins with a letter from the RCVS or the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons informing him that a complaint has been made about him by 4 other vets about his treatment of a tortoise called Hermes. This is his second book which comes after ‘Listening to the Animals.’ I have haven’t read that one either but after reading this I may well do so. But I have heard of the supervet himself, Noel Fitzpatrick. I’ve never seen the Supervet TV series although it’s now racked up 100+ shows. Overall a very different and interesting read. Sixthly in how up to date it is – the book’s themes drawing together in a very tangible and incredibly up to date way with a severe accident to his own dog in September 2020 (one month before publication). ) seeking to bridge the Veterinary Science/Human Medicine gap – which as he points out has taken an additional resonance with COVID.įourthly - the way in which the book plays out against the background of a formal malpractice complaint made about him in 2018 (at the book’s start) to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for over-treatment of, and experimentation on animals – these two themes: the treat versus euthanise dilemma and the conundrum between innovation and experimentation are ones he returns to in almost every chapter, often comparison prevailing wisdom and values to the very different standards that apply in treatment of humans)įifthly in the author’s openness and vulnerability Thirdly, with the author’s frequent discussion of his One Medicine approach (. Secondly, how the author draws on the qualities he sees in animals – particularly pet cats and dogs, including his own. These typically have three elements – ethical dilemmas (see below), human/animal-interest angles (both of these helping him explore the subject matter) and what can quickly become very complex technical details of the treatment. What gives the book its distinctiveness is:įirstly how the author illustrates his views on each area (both their importance, what they mean, how you strive for them) by examples from his own pioneering (and sometimes controversial with those who either think animals should not be put through operations or that money should not be wasted in them) research and practice in veterinary surgery in the area of bionic limb implants. This one had chapters based on qualities (Internalisation, Nowness, Truth and Trust, Empathy, Genuineness, Rightness, Innovation, Tenacity, Youness, Compassion, Appreciation, Respect, Eternalisation) that read like they are from a self-help genre book, and to be honest some of the content matches. Read with my daughter who is a fan of Supervet and very much enjoyed the author’s previous book which I think was more conventionally biographical. He reflects on the valuable lessons of Integrity, Care, Love and Hope that they have taught him - lessons that have sustained him through the unbelievable highs and crushing lows of a profession where lives are quite literally at stake.Īs Noel explores what makes us connect with animals so deeply, we meet Peanut, the world's first cat with two front bionic limbs eight-year-old therapy dachschund Olive Odin, a gorgeous five-year-old Dobermann, who would prove to be one of Noel's most challenging cases - and of course his beloved companions Ricochet, the Maine Coon, and Keira, the scruffy Border terrier who is always by his side. Noel shares the moving and often funny stories of the animals he's treated and the unique 'animal people' he has met along the way. If the No.1 Sunday Times bestseller Listening to the Animals was about Noel's path to becoming The Supervet, then How Animals Saved My Life is about what it's like to actually be The Supervet. The journey to that point has seen Noel treat thousands of animals - many of whom were thought to be beyond help - animals that have changed his life, and the lives of those around them, for the better. It has been 30 years since Noel Fitzpatrick graduated as a veterinary surgeon, and that 22-year-old from Ballyfin, Ireland, is now one of the leading veterinary surgeons in the world. THE MASSIVE NUMBER 1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
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