…. with Dr. John Earle, Zurich, Ontario
Dr. John Earle with his sister and assistant Bonnie Earle Harris in St. Anthony in July 2013.
Text and Photos: Bernadette Calonego (Any spelling mistakes are entirely mine!)
Dr. Earle, you live in Ontario, but you are a true Newfoundlander, aren`t you?
Actually, I was born in Blanc Sablon in Quebec. My dad was a radio operator at the lighthouse in Point Amour, Labrador. We moved to Goose Bay in 1965, and Dad worked with the Department of Transportation as radio operator. In 1969, my family – four boys, two girls – moved to Gander.
Where does your love for animals come from?
We always had dogs, cats, ducks, rabbits. Our parents were not animal types. But we, the kids, were always picking animals off the street and tried to sneak them into the house.
Did you always want to be a veterinarian?
I always wanted to be a blood donor! But as a kid, I had a kidney disease and I could not give blood. That made me sad as a boy.
Yes, to be a vet, that was something I always wanted to do. I read all the books by James Herriot. He wrote “All creatures great and small” and was a vet in rural England. I applied to vet school three times, it was the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph. It was one of the highlights of my life when I was accepted!
Dr. Earle`s sister Bonnie is also the the manager for the SPCA shelter in Gander. She is taking appointments from clients in the mobile vet clinic.
How did you get to Zurich/Ontario?
I got a job in Zurich on Lake Huron which felt a little bit like the ocean. My wife is from Ontario. That is why I stayed there. First, I did farm animals and pets. But then, I decided to do pets only.
How did you find your way back to Newfoundland and Labrador?
My mother lives in Forteau/Labrador and I also have relatives in the area. Nine years ago, I started treating animals during my visits in Forteau, but only checkups and vaccinations in the first year. In the second year, I set up a clinic in my aunt`s retired hair salon. We built a surgery table out of plywood and milk crates and I neutered and spayed pets.
How did people respond to your clinic?
We were very busy. I think it helped that people knew my name. My uncle Stelman Flynn owns the Seaview Restaurant in Forteau. My mum was a cook there. My uncles and aunts live in Forteau and L`Anse-au-Loup.
We had people coming from as far as Mary`s Harbour and Tabatarier/Quebec.
We would also got calls from St. Anthony.
A pet is prepared for surgery in the mobile vet clinic at the Irving gas bar in St. Anthony.
So you went to St. Anthony, too?
Yes, in 2006 we came for the first time. We set up a mobile vet clinic in a cabin at the former Vinland motel.
You feel that you are doing a service to the area. It is good that you see that you are making a difference.
What has changed since?
People are taking care of their pets now. They are more aware of how to keep an animal. There is more education.
What surprised me: I expected to see dogs like Labrador Retrievers or Huskies but a lot of people have Shih Tzu, Maltese and Poodles.
Are you coming again to St. Anthony?
We`ll try to come on a regular basis, at least once a year. Maybe in the busier places more frequently.
But you still have your clinic in Zurich?
Yes, I share a vet clinic in Zurich.
Do your kids want to become vets, too?
I have two boys and one daughter and none of them wants to become a vet.
Sometimes, gloves and blankets are needed for protection when a pet is not in the mood for being at the vet`s!
