E-Vet Interns - TV-PG

Intense docuseries mixes medicine and emotion.

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Common Sense rates it
3
Seen the show?
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details
  • TV Rating: TV-PG
  • Network: Animal Planet
  • Cast: Robert Taylor, Kevin Fitzgerald, Holly Knor
  • Genre: Reality TV

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this series -- which is set in a veterinary emergency room -- includes plenty of blood, vomit, and close-up views of animals in distress from injury or illness. Doctors detail their patients' conditions and are honest about the animals' chances at survival. Surgery and attempts to resuscitate a dying animal can be difficult to watch, as can emotional scenes of owners grieving a pet's death or facing a decision over euthanizing an animal. While this show definitely isn't for little kids -- or anyone with a weak stomach for blood -- viewers may learn some things about animal health and behavior and modern medicine.

Families can talk about veterinary medicine. What characteristics are important in a vet? How are doctors able to handle the emotions of the job? Do you think being a vet would be more or less difficult than being a medical doctor? Why and how? What lengths would you go to in order to save your pet's life? Kids, do you have any interest in pursuing a medical career? If so, in what capacity? Families can also discuss proper pet care, animal behavior, and emotional ties between people and animals.

Message

Social Behavior:

The medical staff shows expertise, poise, teamwork, and determination in their work to save animals, and the focus is always on educating the interns.

Consumerism:

Alameda East Hospital obviously gets a lot of publicity.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Animals' injuries and surgical scenes can be bloody and graphic. Animal euthanization is sometimes shown on screen.

Sex

Language

There's no cursing, but "sucks" is used infrequently.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Emily Ashby

In E-VET INTERNS, six veterinary school graduates gain real-world experience at Denver's 24-hour Alameda East Veterinary Hospital (which previously played host to Emergency Vets). Combining their knowledge with cutting-edge technology, the interns work against the clock to save the sick and injured animals brought to their emergency room. Veteran specialists like Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald and Dr. Robert Taylor work alongside the newcomers, giving guidance and sharing their expertise. In each episode, cameras follow the progress of a handful of animal patients from diagnosis through treatment, with medical staff offering insight into the patients' conditions and expected course of action. Diagnostic tests like X-rays and lab work are done on occasion, and, when it's necessary, surgery is performed.

Is it any good?

3

E-Vet Interns comes with the standard "graphic nature" warning for good reason. Blood, vomit, and bodily functions of all kinds mix with heart-wrenching scenes of animals in pain and dying, making it difficult for those with queasy stomachs (and big hearts for furry friends) to watch. Discussions about euthanasia are to be expected, and viewers occasionally see a lethal injection administered. Emotions run high; cameras capture both grief over losing a beloved pet and celebration when an animal fights back from the brink of death.

This one definitely isn't for little kids -- or particularly sensitive viewers of any age. If you and your kids do watch, be prepared to answer questions about what they see and hear, including unfamiliar medical terms and seemingly painful treatment methods like stomach pumping and CPR.

Other choices

Emergency Vets
Pet MDs
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