Yarn with Dr Harry, celebrity vet
Iconic television vet Dr Harry Cooper has returned again to this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show.
The renowned veterinarian has been attending the Show for nearly his entire lifetime.
“I’ve only missed three Shows in my entire life and I’m 68 years old,” said Dr Harry.
“The Sydney Royal is very special for me. I’m here working for Purina, but even if I wasn’t working I’d be here anyway.”
While Dr Harry loves the whole Show, what he really comes here for is to share his love of animals.
“I get to talk to people about animals, I get to have a bit of fun with them and teach them to take care of their pets,” he said.
Since the Show started Dr Harry has been doing daily meet and greets in the Super Coat Kennel and running daily talks in the Super Coat Arena.
Dr Harry has spoken to audiences about the dos and don’ts of safe dog handling.
He believes it is really important to educate the public, especially children, about respect and awareness for animals.
“A lot of children get bitten by dogs because they don’t know how to approach them correctly,” jhe said.
“They don’t recognise what an angry dog looks like; it is my job to teach them the correct process, so that they can have positive experiences with dogs.”
Doctor Harry is not without his favourite animals, saying he loves the horse and poultry exhibits at the Show.
“At home I have Welsh Ponies and I breed a lot of exotic poultry, so I always make sure to go and check out the horses and the chooks at the Show,” he said.
Dr Harry is also a competitor at this year’s Show.
“My ponies will be competing on Tuesday. We won Supreme Champion last year, so fingers crossed we can do it again,” he said.
While Dr Harry said that he likes winning, what he really loves is the act of competing at the Show.
“The Show is wonderful; I have a lot of great memories from here. From climbing on tractors as a kid, to helping people take care of their pets and entering competitions. I love the animals, I love competing and that’s why I love the Show.”