Dr Harry Cooper

Vet

Dr Harry Cooper has been associated with the Seven Network for more than 11 years. Dr Harry first appeared as host of Talk to the Animals in 1993 and was host of Harry's Practice from 1997 up until 2003.

Dr Harry joined the experienced and well respected number one lifestyle program Better Homes and Gardens team in 2004 giving viewers' advice on their pets as well as his familiar house calls.

He joins host Johanna Griggs, Graham Ross (Horticulturalist), Rob Palmer (DIY), Ed Halmagyi (Fast Food presenter), Jason Hodges (landscaper), new food presenter Karen Martini and interior expert Tara Dennis.

"I am delighted to be part of the team," says Dr Harry. I think that as a group we offer so much diversity and knowledge on so many different subjects - the mind boggles!! Aside from all that, we're here to have a good time as well!"

Dr Harry is a typical country vet - living on a picturesque property in Relbia, in Northern Tasmania, with his wife Janine, daughter Heidi and an extended family of four-footed friends and winged creatures.

At last count, Dr Harry's animal population included over 30 horses (including an Arabian stallion and three Welsh Pony stallions), eight dogs, 27 breeding cats, two house cats, 20 fantail pigeons, 500 chickens, 30 Geese and turkeys, 15 rabbits, 12 guinea pigs, six coloured sheep and lambs, over 150 ducks and ducklings, two rats, Wilma the pet pig, and the latest additions MalteseXShih Tzus- Buddy and Holly.

Dr Harry has now opened his farm to the public. Set on 65 acres of rolling hills, Dr Harry and his wife continue to breed Welsh ponies and other horses so there are always young foals around. Their Burmese and Siamese cats produce babies throughout the years as do the hordes of pet mice guinea pigs, miniature pigs, rabbits, rats and pigeons. Bottle fed lambs and piglets come and go in the animal nursery. Dr Harry has a special interest in poultry with over 60 rare breeds of ducks, turkeys, chickens and geese. All this is embraced within a classic English garden with masses of roses, bulbs, perennials and exotic trees. A welcoming cafe overlooks an ornamental lake and the surrounding hills. Children and adults alike have every opportunity to handle the animals- the emphasis is on touch and feel and tours are personally conducted by Dr Harry or his wife.

Born and raised in Sydney, Dr Harry graduated with second class honors from Sydney University; Faculty of Veterinary Science in December 1965 aged 21. He practised for several years at the Gladesville Animal Hospital in NSW before venturing to the United Kingdom with his first wife to work in Wiltshire and the English countryside for two years, and holiday in Europe.

On his return to Australia, Dr Harry joined a partnership in Gladesville, NSW, specialising in horses, greyhounds and cage birds. As well as being a judge and show organiser, he also bred more than 1,000 birds and raced greyhounds with some success. Dr Harry's favorite dog was Ginger Lashes, whom he bought then raced in England, and eventually imported back to Australia.

In 1980, he set up his own practice in Annangrove, NSW - still specialising in greyhounds and birds. Five years later, in June 1985, Dr Harry married Janine and their daughter Heidi was born in May 1986.

Dr Harry began his media career on breakfast television as the vet expert on a local Sydney chat show. He also had a spot on Don Burke's radio program, and in 1987 joined Don Burke on Burke's Backyard.

When Heidi was not quite three, Harry and Janine packed up their Sydney home and menagerie and moved to Mole Creek in Tasmania. They arrived on the Apple Isle on Anzac Day, 1989, with 9 horses, 27 cats, 4 dogs, 6 ducks, 3 geese, 80 budgies, and a Major Mitchell Cockatoo. Here he set up his own veterinary clinic in Exton, near Deloraine. The Cooper Family settled on 600 acres, farming 1500 sheep. But with plummeting rural produce prices, they were forced to sell the property in September 1991.

With little left after two years of hard work, they rented for 12 months before moving to Relbia, near Launceston, in October 1992 - where they live today in a beautiful American Tudor house on a hill with 65 acres.

Dr Harry joined Channel Seven in 1993 to host Talk To The Animals, which ran for four years. During these years, he had to 'prune' his vet practice to concentrate on his television career, although he never gave it up completely.

"One of my main aims in life is to teach children a love, understanding and respect for animals - knowing they'll carry that through to adult life and hopefully translate that into a love and understanding for their fellow man."

In 1997, Dr Harry returned to his veterinary rooms to film the first series of Harry's Practice, the Seven Network's family animal program in which he stared with fellow vet/ reporter Dr Katrina Warren.

Harry's love for animals began at a young age with his mother Linda breeding Pomeranians and his father Harold breeding ducks, chooks, dogs and birds at their Linley Point home. His first pet was a duck called 'Squeaker' - who lived in the house! And Harry's earliest childhood memories are of falling asleep in the straw while his father was showing dogs.

As a youngster, Harry went to primary school in the Sydney suburb of Hunters Hill where he excelled in maths and history - and went on to be dux of the school. Secondary school was a different story. Neither Harry nor his only sibling, brother Neil (also a vet!), who is three years younger, enjoyed their high school years saying he felt "like a round peg in a square hole".

He however gained his Leaving Certificate with two A's and four B's and went on to Sydney University.