CAST BIOS

Trude Mostue became famous for her disastrous attempt to inject a kitten in Vets’ School, as well as her difficulties over learning English. “When Vets’ School was being filmed, there were times when I just wanted to give up and go back to Norway," she says. “But now I feel like staying in Britain for ever. I love the people, the animals and the countryside. Encouraged by the flood of fan mail from fans and their pets, Trude starts her career at a practice in Bristol. On the first morning at work, she admits: "Last night I was so nervous I was really struggling hard to sleep. I suddenly realised that this is the test. It’s starting now." In her first week the tension mounts as she treats Jess, a boxer dog with a mystery virus.

Steve Leonard works at a veterinary practice in Lancaster. In his first week as a vet he treats a rabbit named Roger, whose only hope is an operation to mend a broken leg. Later in the series, he is invited to become one of the United Kingdom’s "50 most eligible bachelors", courtesy of Company magazine. Steve has been inundated with fan mail from admiring ladies since his appearance on Vets’ School, but is too engrossed in his first year of work to worry about girlfriends. "I went out with a girl for two months once and saw her about three to four times in that period.That was it, I think. Before that it was about two weeks. A week and a half to two weeks is about the natural length of a relationship. Any more, and there’s something seriously wrong." Steve, however, is prepared to commit himself to an 18-year relationship with orphaned kittens which he adopts from the practice.

Emma Milne and Joe Inglis are the two new faces for Vets In Practice. They both graduated from Langford in the same year as the other vets, and because of their relationship, they have chosen neighbouring practices in the beautiful Devon countryside. Joe works at Bideford and Emma works in nearby Dulverton. "We did split up twice and for one month over exams, but it’s been much better since," says Emma. Joe agrees: "It’s got a fairly sort of serious feel to it now which it never had before."

Mike Sandiford took the summer off after graduating, before taking the job as a resident vet at an animal orphanage in the heart of Botswana. Apprehension sets in as he awaits the flight to a new career: "I’m not really sure what to expect… I just want to get off the plane on the other side. That’s when I’ll start feeling I’ve actually got there." During his time in Africa, Mike has to make the most of the basic amenities that the practice offers to ensure the animals’ welfare. Memorable moments of his time in Botswana include castrating a jackal on his bedroom table and hunting for crocodiles.

Julie Richards starts work at a small practice in Builth Wells in mid-Wales. In her first week, she tackles the sensitive issue of euthanasia as she puts a collie dog called Peggy to sleep. Julie soon finds herself in conflict with her new boss and decides she cannot stay. "I know it doesn’t look good staying in a job for only three months. It was a difficult decision to come to, but there are so many things that bother me about the practice." Luckily, Julie finds work in the Runcorn practice where she originally trained. Will she be able make a go of it this time?

Fiona Green took the summer off to go to Turkey, but returns to start her veterinary career at Bodmin, Cornwall. Although she is nervous, Fiona is carried by her inner confidence: "So much of veterinary stuff is to do with technique, and as well as strength, you need stamina. I may not have the world’s hugest muscles, but I’ve got stamina!"

Alison Lee was one of only six honours students from Langford and she is used to working hard at her practice near Bristol where there is a deluge of patients.