Vet on a Mission

Being a lover of animals and having lived through the hay day of James Herriot l always gravitate to this type of book as a pleasant interloode from my usual read. I wasn’t disappointed at all life and death and all points between covered really enjoyable

As soon as I saw that Gillian Hick had written a third ‘vet’ book full of true stories I had to read it, having read, reviewed and hugely enjoyed ‘Vet On The Loose’ and ‘Vet Among The Pigeons. Gillian Hick is a practicing vet living near Wicklow and in this book she has her third baby, opens her own small animal practice attached to her family home and writes about her patients, their owners and her family life. I was not disappointed and enjoyed every moment of her beautiful writing and meeting a whole range of family pets, their diagnoses and (usually) their recovery under her caring and loving care.
But this life is no walk in the park for Gillian and her family. She has three small children, one a newborn, and a husband who is a working butcher. To top that, she runs a 24/7 practice, juggling child and animal care with deft skill and oodles of compassion and empathy. Her life is a whirlwind of activity, late nights, early mornings and resultant exhaustion, teamed with plenty of patience, love and joy. There are struggles, loads of triumphs against the odds, losses and books to be balanced. There are anxious pet owners, sick animals and a family, all needing Gillian to be right there when they most need her, measuring out advice, administering her considerable skills both as a mother and a vet. This book had me hooked and full of admiration right from the very first to the last chapter.
I love true life stories like this one and I am an animal and nature lover. This book gave me a glimpse into another life and fired up my appreciation of a hugely committed professional who cares and serves the public and their beloved pets. I loved the drama, the action-packed lifestyle and most of all the nurturing and caring of Gillian Hick. I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher The O’Brien Press through my membership of NetGalley. Thank you for my copy sent in return for an honest and unbiased review. I recommend this book for all fellow animal lovers and those who enjoy true life stories with cracking anecdotes filled with a mixture of humour, excitement and a massive dose of compassion. It’s a 4.5* review from me.

are an animal lover, or have a wish to be a Vet, or know someone who aspires to be a Vet then I highly recommend this book. Filled with anecdotes, and honest insights into the daily life of a Vet I really enjoyed reading this.

Loved this book. I enjoy all kinds of medical books or shows, whether it's All creatures great and small or This is going to hurt. I didn't realise on requesting that the vet was living in ireland like me, so I recognised a lot of the places mentioned. I really got to know the animals from the book and mourned them or celebrated them along with the author

Very enjoyable book! There are quite a few anecdotes about a veterinarian's experiences, of course! Some are funny and some sad, but all reflect the love of animals that most children have. Definitely a good book for children and adults alike!

This charming memoir of the trials, tribulations, and joys of running a solo veterinary clinic while at the same time raising, with her husband, three young children as interesting as all animals combined, will delight any animal lover. Gillian Hick has written a lovely chronicle of her life as veterinarian and parent, leaving this reader with a satisfied smile at book’s end.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher.

Being a fan of James Herriot, I read this book with a bit of trepidation, but I was very pleasantly surprised at the care taken in writing this fabulous book, filled with tales of family, animals and a struggle to make a living, this book is enchanting. I really love the inclusion of the children, especially Molly with her "cups of tea"
It really is a lovely read.

This book is a biography, but it is told in such a way, that I had to check (twice actually) that this was non-fiction.
I love the author's colorful stories that mix in character sketches, humor and at times thought-provoking scenarios. This is a well done book. I would recommend it to anyone over age 8.

I'm a fan of James Herriot and Doctor Pol and when I saw this book I knew I had to request it.
It didn't disappoint me.
I loved the stories, so full of love, tenderness and humour. It's a very enjoyable read, both fun to read and moving.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC

This is such an enjoyable book. If you liked James Harriot, you will like this one too. I loved reading about the all adventures that went on in her life as a vet. If you love animals this is a "must read". Thank you BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book, it was such a fun read. This is my honest opinion of this book.

I adored this book. Being an animal lover it was just my sort of thing. Well written and entertaining, it took me through a whole range of emotions.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Being a James Herriot fan, I was a little unsure about this book but was happily surprised at how much I enjoyed it. As a recounting of the author’s life as a vet in Ireland combined with a very busy family life with three children, it was amusing,insightful, uplifting and sometimes quite sad. I very much enjoyed it and will look for more books by this author. Definitely recommended.
My thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review.

Gillian Hick is the "Vet on a Mission" telling the story of how she came to be a private veterinarian while raising her young family. There are shades of James Herriott throughout Gillian's story in the amusing, emotional and sometimes bittersweet anecdotes she recounts.

Like Herriott, Hick relates individual stories about her patients and their owners while interspersing the accounts of her life and the effects her choices, and her charges, have on her family. From the biggest bull to the smallest puppy, Dr. Hick treats them all with care and compassion.

For anyone who loves animals, read and enjoyed Herriott's books or just adores warm, true-to-life stories of people and their encounters with natures two and four legged friends, read "Vet on a Mission".

I loved this book! I am an animal lover and fretful dog and cat mommy, so this book stood out to me. I am one of those patients that rushes to the vet for every little thing that is wrong, so I really enjoyed reading the doctor's perspective. It was also interesting to read how Dr. Hick was pregnant with her third child and still was able to switch to another specialty. I will definitely be looking for her other books, as I adored this one!

I found this to be a fun quick read. Just right for a lazy summer afternoon. Interesting to read things from a different perspective. I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Vet on a mission is the 3rd book by Gillian Hick, an Irish country vet, the premise is similar to James Herriot but the delivery of the narration lacks the humour and warmth that he wrote with. The book is a bit like reading Gillians notes, Its not awful as there are some interesting stories but as Gillian says shes happier with the animals than the owners and this shows in her writing. Saying that though a woman who has 3 small children and starts up her own veterinary practice deserves some credit.

When Gillian has her third child she decides its time to give up being a large animal vet and set up a small animal practice... but how much easier is it when you have 3 young children to look after and a 24 hour practice to run!

A lovely book with great true stories of animal incidents.....I always loved James Herriott it so it was great to read the stories of another vet

Great book by Gillian Hick She writes about her busy life as a veterinarian, wife and mother. Her books are some of my favorite reads.

I first read James Herriot books many, many years ago. I enjoyed Gillian Hick's book almost as much as those heart warming stories. As a veteranian, there are so many highs and lows, you wonder how anyone could possibly enjoy the job. Ms Hick's pulls the reader into her life, showing how her "job" enriches her life and the lives of those touched by their pets. This is the first of her books I've read. I definitely have to find the first two and add them to my TBR pile.

I received Advanced Readers Copy of this book from NetGalley. This review will be my honest opinion of the book and nothing else.

This was my first book for Gillian Hick. It was interesting to read even thought this seems like to be 3rd book for her in the same series. If you like animals or are animal lover or even want to be vet in some day, this book is quite good choose to see what kind of work it will be. This was interesting book because this is so honest book, how difficult and hard your life can be if you are vet. This makes me to want to read other books and also reminds me books by James Herriot.

When I decided to read Gillian Hick’s new book Vet on a Mission I didn’t realise she has already published two other books about her time as a vet. I find once someone has written a book about their career second books aren’t as strong, well as a third book I thought this was great. None of the tales she tells are boring or scraping the bottom of the barrel, they were exciting and things I haven’t read in other books.

The book really had a charm to it, we see Gillian set up a vet practice at her own home behind her are three inquisitive young children and a husband who is running the family butchers nearby. Normally if books have a lot about someone's home life I skip over it until I come to something I want to read but this one is different, there is no separation or escape from being a vet she can’t clock of and go home when she lives there!

It was fascinating how her children really engaged with animals both their own pets and the once coming into the practice, each trying to help in their own ways. I found it hard warming how she helped her husband when his business was in real need, helping him run the business during a time of crisis.

While there really are some bits that are heartbreaking for an animal lover to read it is part of a vets life to be there at the beginning and the end along with all the hard times in between, despite the sad parts I read the book rather quickly, it would make a fantastic holiday read. I’m excited to look for her other books on my travels so I can enjoy those to fingers crossed they are just as good!

Gillian Hick decides to work her own practice from home when she is expecting her third child. Reading about a vet's life gives you a look at the other side of the vet's office and what they experience. There were some fun moments. some sad and some just weird but she made the story interesting and my wanting to know what happened next in her life and practice.

Loved the stories in this book. Reminded me very much of the James Herriot books. The only problem was I found several grammar errors - but not enough to stop me from finishing the book.

As a fan of James Herriot, I am drawn to non-fic books about vets and their clients! Gillian Hick's book is an updated version of Herriots and very enjoyable. I love all animals and have had quite a few, both household pets and wild outdoor pets in my life. I recommend this book to anyone who loves animals, is thinking of becoming a vet or wondering what it is they do, or just loves wonderfully written stories! I have to go look for her others now, too!

This book joins the ranks of great vet books like James Herriot's series. These vet stories are similarly heartwarming and showcase the busy life of a veterinarian. My older students, as well as adults, will enjoy this book. I want to read the earlier books in this series now!

When I saw the cover I knew I had to read this book. It took me back to my school days and many a wonderful afternoon spent in the company of James Harriet.

Gillian Hick writes even better than James Harriet. I loved every page and every memory she shared with us. She had me in tears and stitches of laughter.

This is one of those rare books that I will read and re-read a million times. I truly hope that she will write more books. I will buy every one.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

I went in reading this book not knowing much about the past books or the author. When I learned this is the third book I was glad because I wanted to read more. When I learned it is full of true stories the joy of this well thought out and written book became even better some how. My little guy wants to work with animals when he grows up and I read this book with him -- it was something we looked forward too everyday. If you enjoy animals as well as some drama and fun this is a good book perfect for you and your family. Now, we are looking for the author's other books!

Following in the tradition of James Herriott, Gillian Hicks has written a heartwarming account of the trials and tribulations of setting up a solo veterinary practice in rural Ireland. Both poignant and life affirming, her story begins as she is pregnant with her first child -- eventually she has three preschool children--running the practice out of her utility room. Her recollections of her patients and their owners enthralled and moved me to tears. If you enjoy animal stories, don't miss this one.