Between James Herriot and Modern Veterinary Medicine: Finding Balance in Today's Vet World

 

Written by Alessandro Didiano (doctor in veterinary medicine, MRCVS)

 

I know a vet who still lives and works like James Herriot. I’ll never forget my first day working with him. We were called to visit an elderly lady whose cats were having seizures. After we finished examining them and discussing care, she insisted we stay for lunch. And then, as we were leaving, she handed us each a bottle of wine “to keep our wives happy.” I couldn’t help but laugh: it genuimely felt like stepping straight into one of Herriot’s stories!

Every time I go to his practice as a locum, I feel as if I’m stepping into a time machine. For the duration of my shift, it’s all cats, dogs, and heartfelt connections with owners who truly value their vet.

He’s always on call, day and night. He visits pets in their homes, responds to emergencies at all hours, and builds genuine relationships with his clients. Owners bring small and big gifts, offer snacks, lunches, dinners, tea and bottle of wine, and trust him completely. He offers discounts when someone genuinely can’t afford the care, and in return, he’s considered a true hero in the community.

There’s something beautifully poetic about it. Every time I’m there, I’m reminded of the heart and soul that veterinary medicine was built upon: compassion, trust, and service.

But there’s another side to that story. This vet hasn’t had a proper holiday in years. He is constantly working, seven days a week, every week of the year. Veterinary medicine is his life, but there’s little room for anything else. His wife helps him run the practice, and together they are the beating heart of their small community. He will give himself the luxury of a dog walk on Sunday, if there are no emergencies, that's his main thing when he is not working.The devotion is inspiring, but it comes at a huge cost.

Modern Veterinary Medicine

Then there’s the other extreme: modern veterinary medicine.


These clinics are bright, clean, and equipped with advanced diagnostic tools. Appointments run on schedule, workflows are very organized, and teams work together efficiently to provide high-quality care. 

But with that efficiency comes distance. Home visits are extremely rare. Discounts are not even to be mentioned, no one offers the vet a cup of tea. Vets can feel like numbers, evaluated constantly for their performances, easily replaced, and expected to perform under pressure for a hours on end.

However, while it may lack the personal charm of a Herriot-style practice, modern veterinary medicine recognizes an essential truth: vets are human. They need holidays, structured hours, and time for families, hobbies, and self-care. Modern clinics allow for a sustainable career without sacrificing personal wellbeing, while still offering excellent care to pets.

The Beauty of Being a Locum Vet

Personally, I’ve found my balance between these two worlds by working as a locum veterinarian.

Being a locum allows me to step into both realities. I can, at least every now and then experience the warmth, trust, and authenticity of the Herriot-style practice. Things are simple but very humane. Then, I can shift into a modern clinic, where I can use advanced technology, collaborate with colleagues, and go out for my lunch break without guilt.

Each environment teaches me something. The traditional vet reminds me why I became a vet in the first place: to care for animals and make a difference in people’s lives. The modern clinic reminds me that my own wellbeing matters too, and that loving your career shouldn’t mean losing yourself in it.

What Both Worlds Can Learn from Each Other

Both approaches have incredible strengths and real challenges.

  • The James Herriot-style vet can learn from modern veterinary medicine that boundaries matter. Compassion doesn’t have to mean your life is nothing else other than veterinary medicine.

  • The modern clinic can learn from the old-school vet that relationships and empathy are as vital as diagnostic machines and surgical instruments.

In the ideal world, the future of veterinary medicine doesn’t have to be one or the other. The best practices and the happiest vets will be those who blend the heart of the traditional practice with the structure of modern medicine.

Somewhere between the personal, relationship-driven small animal practice and the high-tech, efficient clinic lies the balance we all seek: meaningful work, time to rest, and the joy of caring for pets without losing our own lives in the process.