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How Animals Saved My Life: Being the Supervet

Noel Fitzpatrick

4.28 · Rating details · 148 ratings · 13 reviews

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 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 ...more

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Hardcover, 448 pages

Published October 29th 2020 by Trapeze

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Nov 27, 2020 Gumble's Yard rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2020

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.

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.

What gives the book its distinctiveness is:

Firstly ho 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.

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.

What gives the book its distinctiveness is:

Firstly 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. 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.

Secondly, how the author draws on the qualities he sees in animals – particularly pet cats and dogs, including his own.

Thirdly, with the author’s frequent discussion of his One Medicine approach (https://www.humanimaltrust.org.uk/who...) seeking to bridge the Veterinary Science/Human Medicine gap – which as he points out has taken an additional resonance with COVID.

Fourthly - 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)

Fifthly in the author’s openness and vulnerability

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).

Overall a very different and interesting read. ...more

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Jan 02, 2021 Rosemary rated it really liked it

This can be a difficult read not only because there is a lot of technical stuff in it but also because it can be difficult to see through the tears. For years experimenting on animals has resulted in new treatments for humans so surely it makes sense to use these results for the good of both humans and animals. I was naive enough or selfish enough not to realise that they still make healthy animals deliberately ill in order to find cures for humans but unbelievably they don't make these cures av ...more

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Dec 31, 2020 Carole Tyrrell rated it really liked it

I’ve never seen the Supervet TV series although it’s now racked up 100+ shows. But I have heard of the supervet himself, Noel Fitzpatrick. 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.
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 wi

I’ve never seen the Supervet TV series although it’s now racked up 100+ shows. But I have heard of the supervet himself, Noel Fitzpatrick. 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.
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.
But 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. They had deemed it an experiment, unprofessional cruel, unethical and unjustified. Noel had fitted prosthetic limbs to Hermes who subsequently died. This casts a shadow over the book as does the perfect storm of coronavirus.
The book features several cases of previous patients of the four legged kind - some survive, some don’t – and that must be very hard.
In between I learned a lot about running a successful veterinary surgery and how Noel develops his techniques. I really sensed his love and compassion, not only for the animals but also their owners.
This is brought to the fore when his own dog, Keira, is run over by a speeding delivery van towards the end of the book and he is suddenly on the other side of the examining table as a distraught pet owner. He could be facing the same choice of so many others: surgery or euthanasia?
Noel’s philosophy of life also features in the book which struck a chord with me As the RCVS case takes its toll combined with an accident at home in which he breaks his neck and the complications of COVID you wonder how he managed to keep going.
Noels’ two pets are on the cover ‘a Maine coon cat called RIcochet whose expression clearly says ‘I’m the star around here.’ and Keira the dog who looks excited and happy.
This is a lively book with moments of joy as an animal recovers or a new technique is a success but also of sorrow when a pet cannot be saved or succumbs to old age.
Recommended for animal lovers everywhere.
...more

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Jan 01, 2021 Kath Marshall rated it it was amazing

I'm still reading this, but from the introduction, I was in tears!
A brilliant read and Noel's love of animals is amazing!
A man after my own heart! ...more

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Nov 24, 2020 Doris FK rated it really liked it

It was the first Noel Fitzpatrick book I have read and didn’t know what to expect. I’m not a vet myself but bought the book as a present for a vet in training.
I enjoyed reading the book and loved hearing about the stories from animals he managed to save. However, I thought there was a lot of fluffy content, celebrity name dropping and repetitions that could have been taken out. With over 400 pages it’s a big, long book, but it’s easy to read, even with all the medical jargon.

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Jan 07, 2021 Laura rated it liked it

I really wanted to like this book as a huge fan of Noel. Unfortunately it just wasn’t for me and I struggled to finish it so gave up. However I do believe a lot of people will get a lot of this book. It is very well written. It can be hard to read in parts but if this is your kind of thing I truly believe you will enjoy it.

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Jan 13, 2021 Harri Burton rated it it was amazing

This is definitely a book for animal lovers, especially those who have assisted veterinary surgeons before.

Some of the terms in the book are technical or medical terms, which can be difficult to understand, but this is a good read.

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Dec 24, 2020 Susan rated it it was amazing

Absolutely brill

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Jan 05, 2021 Clare rated it it was amazing

Not normally one for biographies. But loved this, it had me crying and smiling. Thought provoking and touching moments with beautiful animals.

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Jan 09, 2021 Karen Tracey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Great emotional read

Wow from start to finish I found I could really empathize with Noel. The man should be Knighted if he isn't already. ...more

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Jan 11, 2021 Aisling rated it really liked it

Overall I enjoyed this book but found it a bit rambly in parts.

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Jan 12, 2021 Ammy rated it it was amazing

Such a fantastic book, can be a hard read due to all the vet terminology but if that’s your kinda thing then it is brilliant! So wonderfully written and emotional happy sad and everything in between

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