Vet in focus...
This week we caught up with Greg the vet based at our Cardiff and Ystrad Mynach hospitals and found out he’d secretly love to be a Premier League footballer, enjoys a good bike ride, making clients laugh and who he turns to in a crisis.
Read on to find out what other insights Greg shared with us…
So, did you always want to become a vet?
Yes, since about the age of 7 - until about 10 years ago, now I’m wondering what to do when I grow up…
Do you have any pets of your own?
Yes. Gwen the Border Terrier, age two and Sali the cat, age six.
What are the essential tools for being a good vet?
A thermometer, a stethoscope, oh and an ultrasound machine.
What’s your best piece of advice to pet owners?
Get a good hoover.
If you could do any other job for the day what would it be and why?
A Premier league footballer, not because I have ever enjoyed or been any good at football, but I could retire early on one day’s wages.
How would your VV colleagues describe you at work?
Tall.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Mending dogs and making clients laugh.
What do you enjoy least?
Failing to mend dogs and Clients not getting my jokes…
What is the most unusual pet you’ve ever treated?
An Ostrich with a cloacal prolapse.
If you could make one change as a vet what would that be?
To create a National Veterinary Health Service.
What’s your most used phrase or saying at work?
Has anyone seen my ticker listener?
What’s your favourite food and drink combo?
Dips…with a dry white or continental lager.
What or who are you most proud of?
Either my dog Gwen OR my wife Emma (she works very hard at something very useful).
Who do you turn to in a crisis?
Emma or my GP.
What makes you angry?
Casual bigotry in everyday life.
What’s your worst vice?
Snoring. Is that a vice ? Treacle pudding and custard, now that's a vice alright.
Do you have a party trick?
I have two. Juggling and playing 'Ivor the Engine' on the bassoon. ( Not at the same time).
If we raided your fridge what would we find?
Some out of date salad, lots of houmous. No carcases.
What really winds you up?
People parking on zig zags outside school.
What are you really bad at?
Football. Dress sense. Divining the wishes of my spouse (don't print the latter).
What’s your biggest extravagance?
I am not an extravagant person. I have been known to take an afternoon nap, but infrequently.
What’s your best way to spend a weekend?
Bike ride with pals in the sunshine early in the day, a long restful lunch with a spot of reading, some boogie boarding at the beach in the afternoon and then dinner with friends.
Do you have a phobia of anything?
No, but I have numerous other neuroses.
What keeps you awake at night?
My children, my neuroses.
