Robert Elliott started life in the Welsh Valleys but moved to London in the seventies to follow his childhood dream and train to become a vet. Over the years he’s worked as far afield as Kent, Inverness and heathrow Airport, but moved to Stanford in the Vale to work at the old veterinary practice in 1985. Ten years later he had his own practice in the village, which expanded to include a cattery in 2000. Aside from the practice, Robert set up a rare breed herd of cattle who have survived BSE, foot and mouth ad bluetongue. I asked him to tell me more about his intriguing life.

Where do you live?

I’m originally from the Welsh Valleys and have moved around but have lived in and around Stanford in the Vale since I moved to the old practice there in 1985.

What was your first job and where has your career gone from there?

Mucking out a bull pen on a Jersey dairy farm – luckily, or by design, the bull was busy elsewhere. As a student and since qualifying, I have worked on sheep farms in Kent and Wales, worked in large animal and mixed practices in Cumbria and Inverness and of course Wales! An important move was to set up on my own with my own belief in care for pets and their owners; this was in 1994. The reluctant decision not to continue to offer 24-local in-practice care has given me my Family life back. Amongst all that, we set up the FAB-Licensed Court Cattery and I continued my other passion of organically-rearing Old Gloucester cattle, now being left with just a cow and a bull.  

How did you become a vet?

I am so fortunate that no conscious decision was ever made – it was made by me alone entirely subconsciously at 7 years of age. I have always had some pet around me to look after and to share young life’s growing pains with. I just worked and worked, going on with extra energy after any stumbling, to get into and through Vet School in London, where I qualified in 1977. I love my career with a passion and am so lucky to continue to work in the way that I’ve always worked so hard to achieve, supported by family, friends, clients and now our fine staff.

Who or what inspires you?

My parents were into teaching and leather industry biochemistry when my decision was realized. I was just fascinated by how things worked, puzzled, frustrated and upset when things went wrong and for ever needed to know how to try to mend them again! This initially applied to the ancient VW Beetles and their engines which I first drove. I also developed a passion for all species that later led to me offering a home to rescue Labrador Retrievers and domestic cats!

What other interests do you have?

My family, of whom I’m tremendously proud; adopting rescue dogs, cattle and cats; walking in our attractive local countryside with the dogs; working outdoors with the cattle; photography – now digital; computers for work and home; passing on IT skills to others; holidays with lots of driving, walking, mountains and coasts; bird watching and observing nature in general (including bat surveys); good food and wine; taking up a local school parent governorship; and a good read or film. I’m trying to invent the 60 hour day to fit all this into!

What are your plans for the future?

In the current economic climate, to stay resolutely pointed towards a future that will be a continued family business that ever grows in quality of service and care, and which develops as a centre of excellence for certain mainstream multi-discipline treatments of medicinal and  surgical conditions.

What's your favourite local shop?

It used to be the old Knapp’s shop where the Practice now is – you could always find anything there you needed! Now it’s the Co-Op, with their genuine involvement in all things local and in the surrounding area (meat, vegetables, breads and  organic produce).

Favourite local pub or restaurant?

The current favourite “local” is the Trout @ Tadpole Bridge – there’s always a good walk from there afterwards after the good meal!

Favourite film:

I always loved the three Free Willy’s and WhaleRider, but I’d settle for Lord of the Rings after considering Billy Connolly’s Timeline!

What are you currently reading?

Anything written by Gerald Durrell,  J R R Tolkien, Terry Pratchett or Philip Pullman is always going to tempt me! I’m  currently re-reading the entire Discworld series. For those in the know, I am a great fan of Captain Vimes (and his Cow), the little swamp dragon  Errol and of course, the Librarian (and his bananas in L space).

What's your philosophy for life?

To enjoy what I’ve fortunately got around me, to appreciate and protect the precious World around me, and to earn the respect and  love that such a close-knit family as ours can weave around me.

Desert island choices; one book one song, one luxury.

Always the difficult bit!  The Wit and Wisdom of Discworld, and R. Strauss’s Four Last Songs (please, CTITV - they have to go together as one song cycle!!) And either my dog or a pair of binoculars please!