Listening to the Animals is written by “supervet” Professor Noel Fitzpatrick who we already know is passionate about the lives and welfare of animals from the tv series but in the book we get to know the ‘heart and soul’ of the man from his very early years, having (along with his siblings) to work the family farm with his father. The family was not well off but through his writing you just know that there was happiness and love between them albeit not overtly shown. He had a horrible time at senior school due to consistent bullying over many years, but he never wavered from his dreams of becoming a vet and one with the vision of taking a further jump into bionic limb replacements for animals particularly dogs. He comes across as an honest, humble, compassionate and yet very determined man. This book made me laugh and cry on countless occasions, it is an addictive and fantastic read. I now have even more respect for this man than I did before reading this, totally recommend.

If anyone loves dogs and cats, or just animals in general and the revolutionary ways veterinary medicine can now save our beloved pets from things that could have meant disaster years ago, this book is one for you.

Noel Fitzpatrick is best known as ‘The Supervet’ thanks to the programme of the same name on Channel 4 and gives viewers an inside look at his veterinary surgery where he and his team use a range of bionics, engineering and mechanics to create a new life for seriously ill pets.

In his book, Noel Fitzparick details his journey from farmer’s son who struggled at first in school to one of the most famous veterinary surgeons alive today. I loved hearing Noel’s journey from very modest beginnings and seeing how his Irish upbringing really stayed with him throughout his life (even with just still saying ‘Mammy and Daddy’ in adulthood like a true Irish country boy).

The writing in this book felt very authentically like Noel, and anyone who watches the show or who has heard him speak knows that that sounds like. I could hear him in my head as I read the book, and the words felt like him through and through which I appreciated. There were some whacky quirks and stories that Noel shared at several points in the book that really made me laugh (for example scattering piles of Pringles around the room to motivate him to write his lectures quicker for a well-earned snack).

I was lucky enough to also attend Noel’s arena tour when he came to Dublin so parts of the book weren’t new to me because I’d heard him talk about it while on stage but there was a lot more in the book that gave me an even better understanding of everything.

I really enjoyed reading this, and really recommend it for anyone who loves watching The Supervet or just loves books about people who save animals on a daily basis!

This is Noel’s story of how from very humble beginnings in rural Ireland he became the much loved vet we see on television today. From the most basic education, he propelled himself forward by exceedingly hard work to achieve his aims and goals in life. I loved and found most of this book fascinating, obviously the animals encountered and their treatments, if needed, but the conference and lecture sections were decidedly dull and I had to skim read them. His love for the beasts shines out of the pages. The book was funny, sad, depressing and happy and it’s wonderful that there is such a person who has done so much to help our beloved animals and long may it continue.

Really excellent, engrossing read. I love the Supervet TV programmes so to read more about this committed vet and his love of all animals was a real treat. Noel comes across as a very natural, caring person.

I think Noel is incredible. His love for all animals comes across in every single thing he does. This book recounts all the hard work he’s put in to build his dream practice in Surrey. If one of my cats was seriously ill, I would want someone like Noel looking after them. In fact, one of the specialist vets mentioned in the book was where our girl was sent to in 2017.

I’d watched The Supervet on TV, but reading more about his difficult childhood in Ireland made me realise what a fight he’s been through to get where he is today. I don’t read that many biographies, but as soon as I saw Noel had written one, I knew I would enjoy it. I think it’s a must for any animal lover. The audio book is narrated by him too, so if you’re a sucker for an Irish accent, like I am, you want to try that format.

He is truly an inspiration and for any teenagers that might be struggling with feeling inadequate, it would certainly help them realise that anything is possible if you just work hard enough for it.

I seem to be in the minority as a male reader, but as my lady wife and I are avid followers of Noel's tv shows, it only seemed natural to read this book when the opportunity presented itself.

Technical where needed, though explanations were provided, this is a very good read, though it really does help to love animals (if you dont't, why are you reading this?).

Loved it!

I don't usually read biographies, but made an exception for this person, seeing as they have a Border Terrier. And I am very fond of Border Terrier's, since Impi joined our family in 2006. The story, which in effect it is, is well written and engaging. In fact it reminded me somewhat of Graham Norton's book 'A Keeper' in the way that it was written.

There are technical veterinary terms in the book, but these are explained, sometimes with other technical terms in brackets, to expand the information being given. It is relevant to the story, so nothing to be alarmed by. Noel keeps the level very appropriate to anyone reading as a lay person. His tone is chatty and he regales the reader with his childhood antics set in Ballyfin and continues on into his adulthood with trials and tribulations as he works out what he wants from, and to be, in life.

I could not find anything to dislike about the book and took pleasure in reading it. His views on the human relationship with animals is on a par with my own and it was good to read someone else's opinions corresponding so well with mine. I can wholeheartedly recommend that you read this book.

Huge fan of the TV show and an even huger fan of Noel’s hairy forearms....don’t judge, they do it for me. This is a fascinating insight into a wonderful man who has dedicated his life to helping others. I now love him even more, if that’s possible. Not enough hairy forearm / rolled-up sleeves pics for my liking but then I fully embrace that I’m a weirdo. Highly recommend!

I have watched Noel Fitzpatrick on television since his days on the BBC as The Bionic Vet. Of course, now he is better known as The Supervet, star of the Channel Four programme that has been shown on prime time tv for years.

From what I have seen about Noel, he really is someone very special, his dedication is clearly evident, as is his genuine love of animals, and the fact that he loves hugs.

I have often wondered about who he is, the man behind the vet. What drives him to work more hours in the day than is healthy? There has never been any mention of relationships or even friends outside the vet practice, but surely there must be some life outside of it? And why does he hug pretty much everyone that he meets?

Listening To The Animals answers all of those questions. Growing up on an Irish farm was clearly tough and taught Noel some valuable lessons about hard work, although I think that most people will agree that the hours that he puts in are not healthy. The bullying that he suffered was heartbreaking to read, how lonely and isolated he felt as a little boy with only a farm dog to talk to about his worries. I loved how he knew from so early on that he wanted to be a vet and my goodness I’m not sure that I’ve ever heard of anyone working harder than he did to reach his goal. Serious respect to the man, whatever you may think of him, he is someone that will not be beaten and if one way of reaching his goal doesn’t work then he will find another way. Some of his stories were hilarious and had me chuckling away as I read.

I enjoyed reading about some of his hobbies that he loved and learnt from, although all fell to the wayside as work took over his life. And we also heard about relationships, here he was very honest with us, I’m not sure that I really needed to know how old he was when he lost his virginity, but it was an interesting chapter.

I also had no idea what went into building his practice, both in sweat and tears, but also money and debt. I told someone that I had read the book and the only thing that they said was ‘He must be so rich.’ I may have thought the same, but now I know better. He is not in the job for the money, it really is all about the animals.

He talked a lot about his love of Kiera, a little dog that he shares with a vet nurse because he is aware that his lifestyle is not one that would be fair for a dog. The relationship between man and their dog is a complex one, one that I think is often dismissed by people who have never had a dog and even some who have, but what makes Noel such an amazing vet is that he totally understands this. In fact, I think that he has a better understanding of that love and connection and how important it is than most people. I have a dog and I’ve been lucky enough to have had two other dogs who sadly died from old age, all three were part of my family but I am sure that I could not articulate the depth of the feeling that I have or have had for my dogs as well as Noel has.

At the time of writing the book, it appeared that Noel was single, I’ve always had a bit of a ‘thing’ for him, so if you’re reading this Noel and fancy meeting up then do get in touch!

Thank you to Trapeze Books for a copy of Listening To The Animals: Becoming The Supervet by Noel Fitzpatrick. I was under no obligation to review the book and all thoughts are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley for a chance to read this pre-publication. I have read most of the "vet memoirs" out there and this is good. It is as if Noel is standing in the room talking to you....it is easy to hear his voice in the narrative . Despite being a bit of a maverick (as most individuals who are pioneers in their field) with a TV series and now a series of tour dates too - you cannot blame him for he has tales to tell and people eager to hear them. The book rolls on at a comfortable pace and I had to ration my reading of it before I found myself at the end all too soon !
I am sure (and hope) that there will be further books to come.

Noel Fitzpatrick has become somewhat of a national treasure/all round hero lately, due to his TV show The Supervet, where he goes to extremes to help injured and ill animals make full recoveries. His methods are so cutting edge and innovative that I thought this would be such an interesting book. His passion, his dedication, his ethics, and his pure love for his job and animals shines through from the very first page, and it is intriguing to see what it’s like on the forefront of new technology and the reactions and struggles he got when proposing new techniques to the world. Unfortunately, there were large chunks that I skipped over either because it wasn’t written in the most interesting way, it wasn’t about the most interesting thing, or it was too medical/technical and I didn’t understand. Overall, it was a good insight into The Supervet, but I think his forte definitely lies in orthopedics, not writing.

The book starts with Noel Fitzpatrick recalling how he used to get up at two o'clock in the morning as a ten year to go off into the fields during lambing time. It was 1978 at his family's farm in Ballyfin, Republic of Ireland. He tells of his fathers' fiercely strong work ethic and how he educated him in every aspect of farming.

Noel remembers extreme bullying at school and how incredibly hard he had to work to qualify as a vet. Later chapters reflect on his total dedication to veterinary medicine, masterminding pioneering surgical techniques and a belief that there should be one medicine for both humans and animals.

The Supervet is a humble, compassionate and immensely endearing man. His story shows that with grit and determination anything can be achieved. We, as pet owners, are so lucky to have someone with a heart and brain the size of Noels and many, many animals are alive today because he never gave up on them.



This is a quote from the book which I particularly related to, it refers to Keira, Noel's Border Terrier who can be seen on the front cover of the book.

'I know I feel calmer, more peaceful, more loved, more supported and have experienced more solidarity with Keira than I have sometimes with human relationships'

I've been dying to read Noel Fitzpatrick's book and it was a wonderful and insightful read to the inner thinking of Noel, The start of the book I found really interesting if a little sad at the way he was bullied as a child and the reasons behind why he wanted to be a vet and his struggles and hard work he went through to build his vision. Seriously this man tires me out just by reading about him. He has sacrificed so much to achieve his dream practice and his ultimate dream of one medicine for animals and humans is still eluding him, I became a bit uninterested when he started going on about the treatments hes done on peoples animals and the mechanics of it all and at the end I just wanted to give him a big hug and find him a partner, other than his beloved Keira.
Noel Fitzpatrick is an amazing driven man who deserves every accolade given to him and his book is definitely worth reading if just to give us mere mortals a glimpse into his amazing mind.

Fantastic book, the first half of the book relates to Noel's early years and the time up to he qualified as a vet and the next part of the book tells the stories of patients and what was involved in the procedures. He's so honest about what how difficult and stressful he found his years of education, about his emotions and his struggles to get his dream into reality. It's such an inspiring book with huge love and understanding of animals, I felt as if Noel Fitzpatrick was beside me as I read the book. Everyone should read this book as it's about much more than veterinary medicine.
#ListeningToTheAnimalsBecomingTheSupervet #NetGalley

Absolutely brilliant
True stories regarding his life and at times hilarious and others heartbreaking
Love Noel , he's a warm , caring human being and thank god for what he does with animals
This book will touch readers and they won't forget it
Highly recommend

My first thoughts on reading this book is, what a brain this man must have. His capacity for learning is huge.
My heart went out to the young boy growing up on his family's family in rural Ballyfin,Ireland. At the age of eight years old Noel was out in the fields late at night helping find lost sheep and helping them give birth. Looking after animals is in the bones of the man. His best friend was a sheepdog, Pirate who he would go to and tell all his troubles to him and cry on his fur.
Noel was bullied relentlessly at secondary school and the only one he had to turn to was his dog. He never told his parents as he thought they were busy enough and would tell him to get on with it which is more or less what a teacher at the school told him. Noel decided to put all his efforts into studying to make something of himself as he always wanted to be a vet.

The book contains many funny stories about life as a student vet and the scrapes he got himself into.
His journey to become a specialist in his field of veterinary surgery was a long one and not an easy one.
Noel has fought hard for what he has achieved today and I hope these bullies from his schooldays are all hanging their heads in shame.

This was a really interesting read. It reveals many surprising things about the man we watch on television. I'll leave you to find them out for yourself.
Needless to say Noel comes across as intelligent, compassionate and an all round nice guy.
The book finishes just as he is realising his dream in setting up his vet centre where he is now.
I predict a second book as I'm sure Noel has a lot more stories to tell.

My links are not working but it is for sale on Amazon for kindle and in paperback and probably every bookshop and supermarket just in time for Christmas.

I was already a huge fan of Noel Fitzpatrick and his work and ethos. So when I got the opportunity to read his book I was so excited and I knew I would not be disappointed.
Reading about Noel’s childhood and other aspects of his life makes you understand how has moulded into such a wonderful, caring, compassionate vet and person.
Excellent read.
Thank you to both NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for my eARC in exchange for my honest unbiased review

Noel Fitzpatrick is perhaps best known in the UK for his tv programme ‘The Supervet’, which centres around his small animal practice treating exceptionally difficult cases with a certain degree of innovation and passion. His book looks deeper into this passion for his work, as well as expanding on Noel’s life growing up in rural Ireland, and his difficult route to the so called ‘field of dreams’.

I have so much respect of Noel. He has a wonderful work, and life, ethic - believing that you can achieve anything if you work hard enough for it. And he has shown that himself from the large amount of time and effort he’s put into his profession, advancing veterinary medicine to the benefit of thousands of animals.

Reading about Noel’s upbringing on a rural Irish farm, there’s a vulnerability to his writing that makes him instantly endearing. It really feels like he’s writing from the heart and you can feel his passion and warmth. He writes honestly about his struggles with bullies and the isolation he felt, and growing up with the beloved farm dog Pirate, telling him all his secrets. At times I was truely brought close to tears.

I particularly enjoyed the later chapters, as we join Noel on his quest to secure his own practice and improve the veterinary medicine specialisms of orthopaedics and neurosurgery. I have a dachshund myself, and I know that in the future we may have back problems in Monty that 10 years ago would have meant he would have been put down. Now, thanks to Noel, there’s a hope within the field that he could undergo procedures that could lead to a long and healthy life. That’s all down to Noel and his absolute belief in what he does. Thank you Noel. If only more people had the compassion you show for our 4 legged family members.

If anything, I would have liked to have read more tales from the various practices he ‘locumed’ for, as I think he spent a greater amount of time describing his experiences on farm animal cases (which I still really enjoyed - especially the story about the drunk lads and the cow ceasarean!). But, honestly, I really enjoyed this. A must read for any animal lover.

Seeing Supervet on television makes you feel you know the person, however I feel honoured to have had the opportunity to be given an insight into what drives Noel. His struggles in his personal and professional lives don't really equate to the TV personality, so thank you Noel for sharing them. As a dog owner I can empathise with the dilemmas we go through but the unconditional love makes it all worthwhile. A very interesting and thought provoking book.

Noel Fitzpatrick is a legend of a man. This book gives an insight into the man himself and why he is so driven. Thought provoking and inspiring, fans and animal lovers will enjoy it. Thanks to Net Galley for my copy. Reviews on Amazon, Goodreads and Facebook.