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Village Vets
This first book by the much-loved stars of TV's VILLAGE VETS is the unforgettable, hilarious, heartwarming and hair-raising adventures of two country vets, the animals they treat and the characters they meet.
Best mates since they met on their first day at uni, Anthony Bennett and James Carroll both dreamed of working with animals from the time they were knee high. Little did these down-to-earth country vets know their dreams would find them unlikely TV stars, their larrikinism and genuine affection for the people they meet and the animals they treat winning the hearts of Australians everywhere. Village Vets takes us back to their early years, from their hilarious escapades at university, to their intrepid adventures in the UK and the Australian bush, to setting up their own practice in an idyllic coastal town in New South Wales. But if you thought country towns were sleepy, think again. Anthony and James have done it all - operated on guinea pigs and euthanased fish; treated a horse that had lost its foot and fixed a prolapsed cow with a piece of polypipe. And then there was the day that involved four calvings, one severed artery, one fox-bait poisoning, one skewered kelpie, one snakebite and 480 kilometres of driving ...
An Australian version of James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small, Village Vets will by turns charm you, make you laugh out loud and bring a tear to your eye. Join Anthony and James as they take you on an unforgettable journey into the heartache and joy of life as country vets, who are so often up to their armpits in ... something!
Best mates since they met on their first day at uni, Anthony Bennett and James Carroll both dreamed of working with animals from the time they were knee high. Little did these down-to-earth country vets know their dreams would find them unlikely TV stars, their larrikinism and genuine affection for the people they meet and the animals they treat winning the hearts of Australians everywhere. Village Vets takes us back to their early years, from their hilarious escapades at university, to their intrepid adventures in the UK and the Australian bush, to setting up their own practice in an idyllic coastal town in New South Wales. But if you thought country towns were sleepy, think again. Anthony and James have done it all - operated on guinea pigs and euthanased fish; treated a horse that had lost its foot and fixed a prolapsed cow with a piece of polypipe. And then there was the day that involved four calvings, one severed artery, one fox-bait poisoning, one skewered kelpie, one snakebite and 480 kilometres of driving ...
An Australian version of James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small, Village Vets will by turns charm you, make you laugh out loud and bring a tear to your eye. Join Anthony and James as they take you on an unforgettable journey into the heartache and joy of life as country vets, who are so often up to their armpits in ... something!
352 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2015
52 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Bennett
2 books3 followersDr Anthony Bennett is a veterinarian and the star of Village Vets Australia on The LifeStyle Channel.
Born in Sydney, though spending much of his time on the family farm in Foxground and later Nowra, Anthony always knew he wanted to work with animals.
Graduating with First Class Honours from the University of Sydney in 2005, at 33-years-old, Anthony has worked at the Berry Vet Clinic for ten years. In 2007, the practice opened the Kangaroo Valley Clinic to better service the agricultural areas of Kangaroo Valley.
Taking a share in the practice in 2008 with now-retired veterinarian Dr Geoff Manning, he today co-owns and operates the practice with his best friend James Carroll. They opened a third practice, All Creatures Clinic, in the coastal area of Shoalhaven Heads last year.
Currently President of the Shoalhaven branch of the Australian Veterinary society and honorary vet at the Berry Show, Anthony is also on the Dairy Panel for the Royal Easter Show.
Anthony is engaged to successful equestrian showjumper, Sidney Roberts.
Born in Sydney, though spending much of his time on the family farm in Foxground and later Nowra, Anthony always knew he wanted to work with animals.
Graduating with First Class Honours from the University of Sydney in 2005, at 33-years-old, Anthony has worked at the Berry Vet Clinic for ten years. In 2007, the practice opened the Kangaroo Valley Clinic to better service the agricultural areas of Kangaroo Valley.
Taking a share in the practice in 2008 with now-retired veterinarian Dr Geoff Manning, he today co-owns and operates the practice with his best friend James Carroll. They opened a third practice, All Creatures Clinic, in the coastal area of Shoalhaven Heads last year.
Currently President of the Shoalhaven branch of the Australian Veterinary society and honorary vet at the Berry Show, Anthony is also on the Dairy Panel for the Royal Easter Show.
Anthony is engaged to successful equestrian showjumper, Sidney Roberts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 17, 2015
I haven't seen the TV series based on the Vet practice run by these two vets in Berry, a small rural town in NSW, however I totally enjoyed this book. Writing alternating chapters the two tell their story of their larrikin University days, early careers in Australia and the UK and how they ended up in practice together. The stories of their patients are varied and interesting. They run a mixed vet practice seeing household pets as well as farm animals. Readers will enjoy the Aussie rural setting (as well as some short stints in Wales and England) and the upbeat style of these two Aussie vets.
June 20, 2017
I want to be a Village Vet when I grow up
October 12, 2015
Great, engaging stories that really show the funny (and hard) side to being a vet. Brilliant add on to the TV show without rehashing things already being shown.
Must-read for anyone interested in animals or being a vet.
Must-read for anyone interested in animals or being a vet.
April 8, 2016
easy and enjoyable read, a little disjointed at times and im guessing there is likely to be a follow-up involving more sti5ries around Berry now that they have teamed up. or have they left that to the series.
October 19, 2015
Loved this book such a great insight to a vets live into the small to large animals. It left me wanting more.
November 23, 2019
When I started listening to this book I didn't realise they had a TV series, which may be why I felt a little lost as if I should know them!
The book wasn't the light read I was after but it was interesting in parts, there was a lot of deaths in the book which isn't something I was expecting and in some case it wasn't necessary, while I understand death can be at times the reality of the profession but I don't think the balance was quite as I was wanting.
I've read other vets books with some heartbreaking parts but they had other heartwarming parts but this missed that part. It left me wondering if there is a difference in attitudes between the UK and Australians in relation to animals.
Each of the chapters seemed to be a stand-alone story, weaving in and out of both of their lives. At times I felt I couldn't keep up with where they were but in the end, they did come back together in their own practice.
If there was another book by them (which I suspect there will be) I would read it but it wouldn't shoot to the top of my pile.
The book wasn't the light read I was after but it was interesting in parts, there was a lot of deaths in the book which isn't something I was expecting and in some case it wasn't necessary, while I understand death can be at times the reality of the profession but I don't think the balance was quite as I was wanting.
I've read other vets books with some heartbreaking parts but they had other heartwarming parts but this missed that part. It left me wondering if there is a difference in attitudes between the UK and Australians in relation to animals.
Each of the chapters seemed to be a stand-alone story, weaving in and out of both of their lives. At times I felt I couldn't keep up with where they were but in the end, they did come back together in their own practice.
If there was another book by them (which I suspect there will be) I would read it but it wouldn't shoot to the top of my pile.
December 24, 2018
Disappointing. Like one other reviewer, I found James Herriot's books far superior. I think this comes down to two things - Herriot's books are far superior at providing characterisation to both people (including himself) and animals, plus flow of narration. Each of Village Vets' chapters essentially stand alone - I guess easier for those that do not want to have to concentrate on reading a whole book. I read about half the book and found only a couple got me somewhat involved, and that was insufficient to keep reading.
January 15, 2019
A gentle easy-to-read book written in tandem by two young veterinarians covering some student days, early careers and how they started in partnership together on the south coast of NSW. There are some funny stories and some interesting clients as well as some descriptions of veterinary procedures that may not be for the squeamish.
October 23, 2020
I like Animal Doctor Stories
And this volume did not disappoint! The animal patients personalities and quirks really came through in the story telling, some happy, some sad - like real life!
And this volume did not disappoint! The animal patients personalities and quirks really came through in the story telling, some happy, some sad - like real life!
May 5, 2017
never watched the programme as we don't get it in the UK. these stories are great and had me laughing and crying a pleasure to read
July 3, 2019
Lovely, gentle read. Gives an account of their training and the varied vet experience of the two vets - in rural NSW, Sydney, Wales and England.
October 2, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this as involved with vets at several levels. It's conversational style made it easy to read. Bought it and sent to a friend.
December 16, 2020
I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. I learned a lot about becoming and being a vet in Australia. And it was funny. I hope they write about their further adventures.
April 29, 2022
Listened to the audio book, read by the authors. Very enjoyable, and I even learnt a lot!
July 19, 2023
This book is immaculate. This is exactly what I want my work-life to be like and it’s made me so excited for next semesterrrrr.
5/5
5/5
October 11, 2023
Enjoyed the animal cases and how they expressed their love towards their job.
October 28, 2023
Really enjoyed this light, funny read.
March 23, 2017
Interesting and fun stories.
April 27, 2017
Lisa 2017
Really enjoyed Village Vets, the companion book to the tv series. Anthony and James are easy company as they reminisce about their training in Sydney and numerous cases with humour and honesty.
Their love for animals and steadfast ingenuity shine through and I was a little disappointed when it ended
Meryl 2017
Really enjoyed Village Vets, the companion book to the tv series. Anthony and James are easy company as they reminisce about their training in Sydney and numerous cases with humour and honesty.
Their love for animals and steadfast ingenuity shine through and I was a little disappointed when it ended
Meryl 2017
September 24, 2016
There is a coldness to this book I did not like. It lacks the warmth of say James Herriot's books.
Within the first 25 pages there was already a lot of killing. Dalmation puppies killed because they were deaf (and they called it euthanize which is just WRONG...they were not suffering).
And the 20 greyhounds laid out to dissect. Not a single mention of why that might be or that these dogs were killed and did not live out their lives.
I stopped reading after 3o pages and skipped through it. I didn't see much to hold my interest, but the beginning was off putting enough.
I didn't see this as a 'light' read at all, too much suffering. Perhaps there is not enough compassion in the world.
I guess I should have known after reading their exploits in college...
Within the first 25 pages there was already a lot of killing. Dalmation puppies killed because they were deaf (and they called it euthanize which is just WRONG...they were not suffering).
And the 20 greyhounds laid out to dissect. Not a single mention of why that might be or that these dogs were killed and did not live out their lives.
I stopped reading after 3o pages and skipped through it. I didn't see much to hold my interest, but the beginning was off putting enough.
I didn't see this as a 'light' read at all, too much suffering. Perhaps there is not enough compassion in the world.
I guess I should have known after reading their exploits in college...
December 30, 2022
I believe this to be the second book written by these vets. It need not be read cover to cover sequentially as each chapter is an individual story. It is set in a smallish affluent semi country town. Very enjoyable light reading and minimal sadness which is inevitable in such a book. An Australian version of the James Herriot genre.
July 23, 2016
I havent seen the show Village Vets on TV but after reading the book I would imagine it would be a great show to watch. The book was full of wonderful stories of farmers and their stock as well as owners and their pets and all that comes with being a country vet.
October 18, 2015
Great, light(ish) read about what it's really like to be a veterinarian. Loved the way it was structured and how memorable each of the animals and people were so memorable. I could never be a vet with some of the things these guys have had to go through!
September 4, 2016
A fantastic collection of stories and anecdotes from the 2 vets, great tales of Australian country life, along with memories from time spent in England and the different style of work to be found there. Well written, very easy to read. Didn't want to put this one down!
July 23, 2016
Well these guys Andrew and James, are just as funny and enlightening, up front, what you see is what you get,kind of guys. Want more television and books by these two vets on their animal adventures that come to their surgery., want their lives followed.
February 21, 2016
A great light-hearted read! So many fascinating anecdotes of a veterinarian's life.
April 7, 2016
was absolutely splendid. great stories and great humour.
August 4, 2016
Well written, amusing and a great insight into how vets work. I really enjoyed it.
September 20, 2016
A light very pleasant read.
April 5, 2017
It was such a pleasure to spend time with these two vets as they described some of their more interesting, gruelling or hilarious adventures - the Australian equivalents to James Herriot. In a tag-team autobiography, Bennet & Carroll take turns narrating their experiences as they start out on their veterinary careers in Australia and the UK.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews