Jacob Weinstein is a large animal vet from the Granville Veterinary Service, large animal vets live wild lives of emergencies, work in dark barns in the middle of the night, bloody operations in open fields, late night phone calls, kicks and bites, wary farmers. Jacob has rushed to our farm many times, he is courteous, warm and loving to our animals. He is a friend.

He came together to give the equines – Chloe, the donkeys – their annual shots and worming tests. He is, like the farriers and shearers, from another time.  He brings news of other farms, talk of the latest medications, cautions about viruses and diet. I can’t count how many times he has come rushing to our farm in the night, dying sheep, sick lambs, injured donkeys.

People like Jacob are unique to the country, I think. They could be working in heated offices making a lot of money, they rush all over the country facing mysterious illnesses from giant creatures who can’t tell him what is wrong with them, often in dirty barns in darkness. Recently, he went to an Amish farm to see a sick cow, there was  no electricity, he had to operate by lantern.

Out in a pasture, there are few hi-tech diagnostical tools for Jacob, he has to  use his instincts and experience. He saves a lot of animals.

We are always happy to see him, we always learn a lot. Jacob is a good listener as well as a healer, he wants to know how we feel about the care of our animals and listens. Not too many doctors have the time or the will to do that.