Norton had joined as a junior partner at Skeldale, the practice that merged with the national organisation, Medivet, but he was not happy with the direction the practice was taking. He previously told the Darlington and Stock Times: “It wasn’t the way I wanted the practice to go. I didn’t think it offered necessarily the best way forward. It was a difficult decision, it was part of my life, it was a big change.” Norton left Skeldale after 21 years and the now 54-year-old went on to open two new practices.
In 2019, he established a practice in Wetherby, Sandbeck Vets, with some old friends and in March 2021, he opened Thirsk Veterinary Centre.
Speaking at the time of his departure from Skeldale, he said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working at Skeldale and will always treasure my memories of working at James Herriot’s original practice, which, as someone who was inspired into a veterinary career by Alf Wight in the first place, has in itself been a real honour.
“However, I do intend to continue my passion for independent mixed practice in the future, and I am looking forward to continuing the Herriot tradition in the next chapter of my career.”
In July 2026, he became a trustee of Petplan Charitable Trust, with the organisation announcing: “Julian Norton has spent most of his working life as a veterinary surgeon, and has also written 11 books.
“His books share his veterinary stories and those of the interesting characters he has met in and around his beloved Yorkshire.”
Julian has been open about the toll veterinary work can take and how he has struggled in the past to talk about pressures on his mental health.
He told the BBC in November 2025: “Veterinary work can be quite lonely too. You visit solitary farmers with their animals, 30 minutes of driving in between, not much chance to chat.
“Fewer people are employed in farming now and if you don’t get the chance to discuss the issues, things get bottled up.”
His comments came as he backed The Shift Your Focus project, a campaign aiming to improve mental health support for men feeling isolated.
On his previous reluctance to speak out about his own mental health, he shared: “I think it’s the way we’re brought up, the stiff upper lip.
“I’m better now, but it’s an area that needs a bit of work, I think.”
The Yorkshire Vet airs on Channel 5 on Thursdays at 8pm
