216. A vet talk-and-sing show in Singapore

Saturday, Oct 2, 2010
Perth

Spring in Perth this past week was blue skies and brilliant sunshine during the daytime and coldness at night. Saturday would be my last day of visit to Perth. A choice of dinner at a popular small Italian restaurant packed mainly with young Asian people was excellent. Wood-fried pizza, noodles full of cheese and thick creamy tiramisu cakes would not be advised for the health conscious.

The Caucasian waiters interacted with the young adults very well, sat on the dining chair to take orders, posed for pictures and engaged in conversation, making the experience of eating there fun.

Can this be done at the vet surgery? I don't think any vet would do it. However much depends on the personality of the vet. I would say one particular lady vet student would be the ideal candidate as she had that type of extrovert personality. She was said to be the school cheerleader and was able to converse well.

"I have a good idea for you," I said to her at the end of the gathering. "Forget about being an eye specialist in Singapore. Be a talk show veterinarian. You'll make more money than operating on dog's eyes." To be a canine eye specialist, she would need to study post-graduate as a resident for another 3-4 years. To be a talk show veterinarian, she could do it after graduation. 99% of the vet cohort would not be able to do it. She was that rare bird that would be able to make it in the entertainment industry.

"Singapore is not US," her friend said. "There is no Oprah Winfrey show and therefore no prospects."

"I don't know about that. Singapore has no vet that is passionate and able to host a talk show. She has to start somewhere and that would be in Singapore as the testing ground.

"My idea for this half-an-hour veterinary talk show is for her to discuss one case with a real pet owner, take some questions about pet care from the audience, do a sing and dance routine with dancers with her being the star."

"Is there such a programme in Australia?" I asked the friend.

The friend said: "There is the Bondi Vet on TV."

"Does he look handsome and sing?"

"He is said to be handsome. He does not do any singing."

"If this vet is successful, her vet surgery will be packed with fans. You and the others may be her supporting vets and will not be jobless. Collaboration benefits everyone as each party in the team has his or her own strength."

Singapore might have tried to do some reality TV vet shows. One of them was a concept to follow up on a pet owner who would be present when her dog was put to sleep. I was approached for help in getting an owner who would consent to such a show. I declined. A dog trainer agreed. But the administrative arrangements or a poor script. The dog trainer gave up after some time.

Execution is the key to success in any venture. No money was paid to the dog trainer and there were so many delays. What do you expect the poor dog trainer to live on? The whole project was most likely ditched.