Swansea vets is a mixed practice, the benefit of this it that we get a good mix of the small, fluffy and cute pet stories and the large farm animal stories. My week was split down the middle between Gareth and Gwen. While partner Gareth’s most at home at the vet headquarters, Gwen’s happiest down on the farm.
Both Gareth and Gwen are very relaxed on camera; they’re confident, enjoy the filming process and can always be relied upon for first-class sound bites!
With Gwen we saw an alpaca called Snap who’d fallen and gone into shock. She sprang into action, gathering tarpaulin and help to lift him into a shed and within a few minutes had set up a temporary emergency room. It’s a huge testament to her that a few hours later Snap had what Gwen referred to as ‘a Lazarus moment’ - he stood up and started eating as if nothing had happened.
We also saw some ‘alternative’ animals at the main headquarters. Batman (who was actually a girl) had a tumour and vet Gareth removed it. I’m scared of rats but grew to like Batman despite her feistiness! She bit Gareth at least once and was filmed several times as she kept coming back as she’d been gnawing at her stitches.
Filming Vets 24/7
Once we meet a pet like Batman, we film everything that happens to them within the week. This enables us to have complete stories - much more satisfying for the audience. At the headquarters, it can be tough to keep across all of the pet stories. There’s been many a time when we’ve had to run out of surgery during an operation, to film another pet being discharged and then get back into our scrubs in theatre for stitching up time! After filming three series with us Gareth completely understands how this all works. So, if he’s about to take a blood test or make a phone call to a pet’s owner, he brilliantly always reminds us knowing that we will want to cover it.
During series three, we see two pets being put to sleep by Gareth. One was a rescue cat who’d only been with his owner for a few months and the other was a 70-year-old tortoise. Both were understandably very emotionally charged and difficult to film. However, it’s important that we show the nature of everything that happens at a vets and the cycle of life is a big part of it. Gareth and the owners handled these with such kindness and dignity, and we’re very grateful that we were able to be present.
What you see on camera with both Gareth and Gwen is exactly what you get in real life. I would like to say a massive thank you to them both for such a great filming week, for trusting us and for always being themselves.
Carrie with one of the rabbits she nearly took home
During the filming, it’s hard not to reflect on pets – ones from the past and potential pets of the future. During series three I very nearly went home with two rabbits! I grew up with several pets as a child including Max - a German Shepherd. He used to meet me from school at 3.20pm every day. I have no idea how he knew the time but he was there each day without fail. It broke my 13-year-old heart when he had to be put to sleep.
I have children and firmly believe that caring for a pet should be a big part of growing up. But, I can’t quite commit. Filming at the vets reminds me of the responsibility we have to our pets and how capable they are of causing anxiety and financial pressure, while also providing enormous enjoyment. We’ll do it one day but perhaps we’ll start with a goldfish…
Vets 24/7 is on Monday 20 January, 19:30 BBC One Wales.
