Animal MAGIC

Vets ANNA CRONIN and MACIEJ KRUKOWSKI on how their special hospital coll offers hope to poorly pets

24/7 PET HOSPITAL MONDAY-FRIDAY (REGIONS VARY), 10AM, BBC1 FACTUAL

The joy of caring for a pet goes hand in hand with heartache when they fall ill or have an accident – but some extraordinary work is being carried out at specialist veterinary centres around the country to help creatures great and small in their hour of need.

BBC1’s new daytime documentary series 24/7 Pet Hospital sees cameras follow the dedicated vets and nurses at Wear Referrals in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, which offers treatment to patients who require emergency procedures or have particularly complex cases.

TV Times joined two of the team – small-animal surgeon and soft-tissue specialist Anna Cronin, 38, and orthopaedic surgeon Maciej Krukowski, 37 – for an exclusive chat to find out more…

What does the 10-part series reveal about your work?

ANNA That it’s just like going to a human hospital when a doctor refers you and you see a specialist. It’s nice to know that when there’s nothing else your vet can do, there might be the option to be referred. But I just want people to enjoy watching the animals – it’s such a rewarding job.

MACIEJ I want to show what our work looks like. We provide excellent care but we have our stressful days and sad days.

We’re one big team, though. As an orthopaedic surgeon, I wouldn’t be able to work without soft- tissue surgeons or our fantastic after-hours carers, who are often the first contact following accidents.

Is it challenging not knowing what case might come in next?