ALL those calls in the middle of the night and tuberculosis tests in the depths of a Dartmoor winter will soon be a distant memory for vet Bob Young, who has said goodbye to the profession after 38 years working in Okehampton and Chagford, writes Alison Stephenson.
A busy man in his career and community work, the former senior partner of Okeford Veterinary Centre hopes to take retirement at a slightly more leisurely pace!
During his time as a vet Mr Young has seen many changes — the type of veterinary practice that operates now is quite different from 'Claydon and Young' that was based in Station Road.
In the 1960s the number of call-outs was far higher than today.
'We had to do everything in those days from the simple to the complex —now there are a lot more better educated, younger farmers who do much more for themselves,' said Mr Young.
The shift from agricultural work to small animals has been one of the major changes. The experiences of James Herriot in the classic series 'All Creatures Great and Small' were typical of the work of the Okehampton vets but depict a bygone age of veterinary surgery.
'Years ago we hardly saw a dog or cat — they were regarded as a nuisance and got in the way of the rural work,' said Mr Young. 'We were very much a large animal practice but now more than half of the work is dedicated to small animals.'
The retiring vet said the foot and mouth crisis has been a particularly stressful time for local vets.
'I was in Okehampton in 1967 and did not have anything to do with the last outbreak,' he said. 'But this time I had experience of working for MAFF in the front line.
'It was an interesting time but a stressful one and not one I would have chosen to finish my career on.'
Mr Young said he always knew he wanted to be a vet and this special empathy with animals rewarded him with a job full of variety.
Dorset-born, Mr Young trained in Bristol and worked in a practice in Shaftesbury for three years before coming to Okehampton.
As well as the practical side of the profession, he has been heavily involved in the political side. His greatest honour was being president of the British Veterinary Association.
Mr Young helped to steer the practice in Station Road through its move to School Way and its subsequent refurbishment.
He has also been president of Okehampton and District Round Table, chairman of Chagford Parish Council, president of the Western Counties Veterinary Association and president of Okehampton Show and Chagford Show amongst other titles.
Mr Young intends to continue as chairman of the Chagford Recreational Trust and a parish councillor but a little more time on his hands will allow for lots of golf and fishing!