INTERVIEW: Dr. Jeff Young returns with new animal cases in the Rockies

Animal Planet’s Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet follows the trials and tribulations of Dr. Jeff Young, a veterinarian who helps both pets and rescued wild animals. His team and their busy clinic are taking on animal cases left and right, and this means Young is constantly running around the Rocky Mountains, trying to save lives and take care of the many animals in the area.

Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet returns with new episodes Saturday, April 16 at 9 p.m. on Animal Planet. The new season documents even more hair-raising cases at Young’s Planned Pethood Plus, and it appears audience members are ready to tune in. The season-one finale in August saw more than 1.2 million viewers (P2+), according to Animal Planet.

Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Young about his unique line of work. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.

What is the greatest part of your job?

Some of the greatest parts of my job are being able to help make animals better and enhance the lives of their caregivers. Also, it is great to know you really made a difference.

When did you decide to also include wild animals in your practice? Why was this important to you?

I have always done some rehab for them on the side, and there is a need for it as most wildlife are just killed. It is important for me to do because it is interesting and fun to do something different.

What goes through your mind when you are in the surgery room? I imagine it’s an intense experience?

I have gotten very good at multi-tasking — I am told men are not good at that, but I feel I am, haha. I am at a point where I can do a pretty complex surgery and still know what is going on with other tables. There are times when you are just immersed in the task at hand, but that doesn’t last too long, usually. It is rare that I feel really challenged or stressed over a surgery.

Your clinic is extremely busy. What are the unique challenges that come with so many clients?

One of the biggest challenges is keeping up with the phones; we can only do so much, and some people just don’t get in. But it is the demand that tells me we are doing something right. I feel good about our work, but we give less client time. And that is [where] problems arise from time to time. You always have people who want lots of attention, and we don’t always have time for that when we are focusing on their animal’s needs.

What are some memorable cases from this upcoming season?

I really enjoyed working on the fox at the wolf sanctuary; the coolest part was the interaction with the wolves — any time you can get out of the city and into the mountains is great. I missed the lion adventure (they went to give birth control to lionesses) but think it looked really cool; Hector (his right hand man) was funny as hell because he was terrified of the lionesses.

I think my favorite episode so far has been the Mexico trip; it really meant a lot to me, and I am very proud of the international work I have done. We have been able to help stop more pain and suffering of animals with that work. I have lectured and taught surgery in around 20 countries, and my team in Mexico is family to me and incredible vets and humans.

What qualities do you look for when hiring your team members?

They need to be a little crazy and have a strong humane ethic. I want people who really care and want to make a difference, and that means oftentimes strong personalities, which could lead to butting heads. But in the end, we come together. Strong personalities can be hard to manage, but in the end, you get more out of them.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet begins new episodes Saturday, April 16 at 9 p.m. on Animal Planet. Click here for more information. Click here for Hollywood Soapbox’s past coverage of Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet.