I worked in a number of practices around the country as a first-opinion vet, gradually increasing my surgical caseload. I joined Abington Park Referrals nearly 17 years ago to complete my surgical certificate and start working as a referral surgeon. Since then, I’ve become a Clinical Director after we joined IVC Evidensia, completed an MSc at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital/UCL in musculoskeletal science, and became an AP when the register was started. I also served on the Clinical Board for several years and became Chair of the UK Referrals Clinical Board when it was founded two years ago.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the veterinary sector?
I had a career crisis at age seven - I wanted to be a fighter pilot, but an eye test revealed I was colourblind. My aunt suggested I become a vet instead, and it seemed like a good idea. Honestly, I’ve never wanted to do anything else since. I love working with dogs.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I blend my roles as clinician, clinical director, and committee member. My day starts at 08:00 after dropping off various children. We begin with clinical rounds with the nursing and surgical team, followed by consults and admissions. The middle of the day involves surgery, investigations, and treatments. From about 3-4 pm, I either have meetings or focus on clinical reports and projects. Emails get squeezed in around everything else!
What do you enjoy most about your role and the work you do?
I really enjoy making patients better - helping them live their best lives and relieving pain. I also value the human interactions - with pet owners, the amazing team here (some of whom I’ve worked with for over a decade), and colleagues across IVC Evidensia and industry. I find teaching and lecturing very rewarding, especially the discussions that come with it. I’ve been lucky to work with world leaders in OA care through the VoA and X-pertise in OA panels, for example.
What’s the most rewarding part of working with clients and their pets?
Making a real difference through surgery, such as fracture repairs or TPLOs, is hugely rewarding - that’s what initially drew me to orthopaedics. But I also really enjoy the long-term musculoskeletal work. Some patients go back to when I was their GP and are now long-term OA cases. Working with their owners over the years to manage pain and mobility as an ongoing project is one of my favourite aspects of the job.
Tell us about the team at Abington Park Referrals
We’re very professional and efficient. It’s a fantastic team, and we get on really well. It’s a very close-knit team - everyone pulls together to get the job done well. We know each other so well and always have each other’s backs. We’re very lucky to have this team.
What’s one piece of advice or insight you often find yourself sharing with others?
There are so many - enough to fill a book! I’ve been lucky to have some great mentors and friends. Three pieces of advice from my early days stand out:
- Start your pension with your first pay cheque - you’ll never miss it that way.
- Be kind to the nursing and reception team.
- On my first day in practice, the lead vet said he’d try not to drop me in the deep end. The older vet I was replacing told him, “Don’t humour the boy, Joe. There is no shallow end - the pool is round.” Pretty solid advice, I reckon.
How do you share your knowledge or skills?
We have a first-opinion team here, including New Grad Academy clinicians, alongside the referral team, so we offer advice where we can. We also run a free radiograph interpretation advice service for referring vets. But primarily, I share knowledge through clinical board projects and opportunities to teach and lecture.
What advice would you give to someone considering a role at your practice?
As with any role - figure out what you actually want to be doing and aim for that. Someone once told me that if you get every job you apply for and pass every exam you sit, you’re aiming too low.
Tell us about your additional training and development
We learn throughout our careers, but I learned a lot from my colleague at Abington Park, Jeremy Onyett, who mentored me through my certificate and referral career. It was hard work, and I couldn’t have done it without him. Doing my MSc opened up a new level of knowledge and career progression as well. IVC Evidensia funded my MSc, and I’m really grateful for that.
What are your main clinical or research interests, and how did you develop them?
My main interest is managing OA in dogs and cats, and making sure the latest research translates into practical advice for clinicians and patients. I was inspired after hearing Professor Duncan Lascelles speak at a conference years ago, and now I’m lucky enough to work alongside him on the X-pertise panel.
My MSc thesis focused on intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prostheses (iTAP), which was particularly exciting as it was an example of veterinary medicine leading human medicine.
Can you tell us about any current research projects or case studies you're involved in?
I’m involved in producing quality-of-life CMIs for dogs and cats with OA. The dog questionnaire (QoA-Lyon) is already in use, and the cat version is due to be published this year.
If you had unlimited time and resources, what topic would you love to explore more deeply?
A biomarker that could diagnose osteoarthritis on day one - before any signs show on imaging. Also, phantom limb sensation fascinates me...don't get me started.
Do you have any pets of your own?
Yes - a sneaky whippet called Ludovico. He’s an artful dodger.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work to relax and recharge?
I used to be a competitive fencer and later a fencing coach. Now I try to fence just for fun. I also enjoy painting and photography. But honestly, any quiet time where I can’t hear Peppa Pig is a bonus.
What’s been your proudest moment so far?
At work, graduating with my MSc while working full time - it was a major achievement. In life? I have four kids, so they can share that credit equally.
What personal values do you carry into your work each day?
We’re here to make animals’ lives better - that always has to be our focus. Also, my dad (ex-Navy, later worked in conflict resolution) once told me: “Whenever someone seems unreasonable, try to see their side—no one deliberately does something they believe to be stupid.” That advice helps a lot.
How do your friends or family describe what you do for a living?
My children say I fix dogs’ legs. Once, Sofia was pretending to operate on my arm. I asked if she wanted to be a vet like me. She replied, “No, I want to be a real doctor who fixes people’s arms.” So that was me told.
Another time, Mimi was reading a book by Noel Fitzpatrick and said she wanted to be a vet like the main character because he saved animals by giving them new legs. I said, “That’s what I do too,” and even showed her my thesis. She was unimpressed and said, “Yeah, but he’s really cool…” It’s good to stay humble - and no one humbles you quite like your daughters.