In the first of a series of BLOG’s looking at significant figures in the pet world, we turn the spotlight on Noel Fitzpatrick…
Who is he?
Noel Fitzpatrick is an Irish veterinary surgeon living in Eashing, Surrey who has gained prominence through The Supervet, a television show from his veterinary practice. Originally from Ballyfin, Laois, Ireland, he relocated in 1993 to Guildford, Surrey, where he is Fitzpatrick Referrals ' director and clinician manager.
Noel’s veterinary practice comprises of two hospitals. The hospital in Eashing, Surrey specialising in orthopaedics and neurosurgery whilst the other hospital in Guildford is known for its work in oncology and soft tissue surgery. Furthermore, he is also a director at many of the biotechnological companies that have spun off from his practice.
Career and research
Throughout Noel's academic life and career, he has achieved many awards and honours. Here are just a few:
- In 1990, Noel obtained his Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine from the University College in Dublin.
- He was also awarded the UCD Alumni Award for veterinary medicine in November 2014.
- Awarded an honorary doctorate for animal health development from the University of Surrey.
- He is an Associate Professor at the University of Florida School of Veterinary Medicine.
- Professor and founding member of Orthopaedics in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Surrey.
Veterinary Surgery
Noel became the first veterinary surgeon to successfully apply and complete an amputation prosthesis (also knows as PerFiTS) to a cat named Oscar who unfortunately had lost both hind feet in an accident in 2009. Five years later, the Guinness World Records recognised this.
TV and Radio
Noel and his team over at Fitzpatrick Referrals have been the subject of many TV series and radio broadcasts. He started off performing in several TV episodes and movie roles. Here are the majority:
- Two episodes of ITV's Heartbeat as vet Andrew Lawrence in 2002
- An episode of the BBC medical drama Casualty in 2009
- Appeared in a documentary TV series called Wildlife SOS also in 2009
- In the ITV series London's Burning which aired in 2001
- Two episodes of The Bill on ITV
- His first film appearance was in the horror film ‘The Devils Tattoo’ in 2003
- Appeared as the lead role in the film ‘Live for the Moment’ in 2004 as Dr. David Fowler
- Finally, he stared as Inspector Beckett in the film ‘Framed’ which was released in 2008.
His real claim to fame was when Noel and his team at Fitzpatrick Referrals aired there show The Bionic Vet in 2010. The Bionic Vet was a BBC documentary TV series based on the veterinarians work in his Surrey veterinary practice
The tv show that is the most recent and probably most popular release is the show called The Supervet. The series demonstrates the work on some of the hardest-to-heal animals across the nation as they are receiving state-of-the-art medicines, treatments and surgery from Fitzpatrick and his crew, who are trying to heal animals that might otherwise beyond repair. This TV show is now up to its 12th series, which aired on September 2018.
What Noel is doing for the industry is truly fantastic, and we hope it inspires a generation of vets and surgeries now and in the future.
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