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Jack Porteous career advice
Why did you want to become a Veterinary Surgeon?
Becoming a vet was something I had decided to do before I was old enough to really make decisions. I have always loved animals and I wanted a job where I would be using my head and my hands rather than a traditional office job.
If someone said to you that they wanted to be a vet, what advice would you give?
For most people you have to commit to becoming a vet very young in order to get all the work experience etc to meet requirements for interview at a vet school. I would want prospective vets to have a really good think about the stresses of the job and the more difficult aspects to make sure its definitely the career for them.
If the answer is still yes then try to do a wide variety of animal husbandry placements for a few reasons: 1. lambing, milking cows, walking dogs is pretty fun, 2. you’ll have a broader knowledge of how animals are looked after, 3. universities have minimum requirements on what they expect you to have seen to get an interview.
What is the best thing about being a Veterinary Surgeon?
For me the best thing day to day is being able to make a big difference to quality of life in my patients. Nothing quite beats the thrill of successfully delivering puppies though!
Why Being a Vet in Tynedale and Northumberland Is So Rewarding
As a small animal vet, finding the right balance between an interesting caseload, supportive colleagues and a good quality of life can sometimes feel challenging. For me, working in Tynedale and living in Northumberland offers exactly that balance.
One of the things I enjoy most about being a vet here is the opportunity to build genuine relationships with clients and their pets. In a close-knit community, you often get to know families over many years. You might meet a puppy or kitten during their first vaccination appointment, support them through adulthood and senior years, and then welcome a new addition to the family years later. That continuity of care is incredibly rewarding and reminds you why you chose the profession in the first place.
The caseload is varied and engaging, with plenty of opportunities to practise high-quality medicine and surgery. We see everything from routine preventative healthcare and puppy checks to more complex medical cases, emergency presentations and chronic disease management. Being able to follow cases through from diagnosis to recovery allows you to provide personalised care and see the real difference your work makes to pets and their owners.
Working in Tynedale also means being part of a supportive team. Veterinary practice can be demanding, and having colleagues who are approachable, experienced and willing to help makes all the difference. There is a strong sense of teamwork, with vets, nurses and support staff working closely together to ensure patients receive the best possible care. Sharing knowledge, discussing cases and celebrating successes together creates a positive working environment where people genuinely enjoy coming to work.
Outside the practice, Northumberland offers an exceptional quality of life. It is one of the most beautiful parts of the country, with wide open spaces, peaceful countryside and a stunning coastline all within easy reach. Whether you enjoy walking your dog after work, exploring woodland trails at the weekend or spending time on the beach, there is always somewhere to escape and recharge.
Living in Northumberland also means benefiting from a slower pace of life without feeling isolated. The area has welcoming communities, excellent schools and attractive market towns with independent shops, cafés and restaurants. At the same time, Newcastle upon Tyne is close enough for shopping trips, concerts, sporting events and easy travel connections.
Another advantage is the work-life balance that the region naturally encourages. Instead of spending hours commuting or navigating busy city streets, you can finish your day and be out walking in the countryside within minutes. That extra time to spend with family, friends and pets can make a huge difference to overall wellbeing.
For me, being a vet in Tynedale is about more than just practising medicine. It’s about becoming part of a community, building long-term relationships with clients, working alongside a supportive team and enjoying an outstanding quality of life. Northumberland has a unique charm that is difficult to describe until you’ve experienced it for yourself, but once you do, it’s easy to understand why so many people choose to stay.
Being able to care for pets while living in such a beautiful and welcoming part of the country is a privilege, and I genuinely can’t imagine doing this job anywhere else.