In my spare time, I've come across a few new authors who also write about their experiences as veterinarians. In this section I will list the author and the books I've come across, as well as what he/she writes about. The list will hopefully grow as the summer progresses.
Rory C. Foster, DVM
Dr. Wildlife: Dr. Foster has written a great book about his struggle to establish a wildlife hospital in Minnesota in the 1980's. This is a great book for people interested in wildlife rehabilitation and/or medicine as well as for all animal lovers. He writes about his struggles with the local government authorities to justify the need to practice medicine on wildlife. Written in a James Herriot sort of way, each chapter is a short story about a single case that he has worked on.
Dr. Foster has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. I am unsure, at this point, as to whether or not he is still alive.
I Never Met an Animal I Didn't Like: In this sequel to his first book, Dr. Foster relates to us more of his dealings with the wildlife in Minnesota. This book is just as enjoyable as the first. He wrote this book with the help of his wife and others because the ALS had gotten to a point where he could barely move. There is a touching afterward to the book written by his wife. Both books are out of print, so you will have to find them in a library or used book store. Well worth the effort.
David Taylor
Zoo Vet: Adventures of a Wild Animal Doctor: In this book, Dr. Taylor delights the reader with whimsical stories of his encounters with zoo animals. Not unlike, James Herriot's books, Zoo Vet is mixed with happy stories and sad stories. If you've ever wanted to work with wild animals or are curious as to how captive animals are treated, this is a book for you. James Herriot has said, "A uniquely different and enchanting animal book. . . It deserves to be a best seller!"
Is There a Doctor in the Zoo?: In this sequel to Zoo Vet, Dr. Taylor explores his first interest in wildlife and proceeds to tell the reader about his very first cases. Again, in a Herriot-like way, he describes how veterinary medicine (in this case zoo medicine) had a way to go before the vet could actually treat the animals correctly. New antibiotics, medicines, and technologies grow as does the vet's experience, in this second novel.
Other books by Dr. Taylor: My Animal Kingdom, One by One Going Wild Next Panda, Please! Vet on the Wild Side: Further Adventures of a Wildlife Vet The wandering whale and other adventures from a zoovet's casebook
Susanne Hart
Too Short A Day: A Woman Vet in Africa: Dr. Hart is a woman veterinarian who chose to practice in Africa and later became involved in conservation issues. This book details her struggle to become a veterinarian at a time when the career was dominated by men. She also writes about her work teaching the African community how to better treat animals and also her experiments with M22 and other drugs to benefit wildlife.
Return to James Herriot's Books