14 April 2024 , 06:00
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Fans know him as This Morning's resident vet, but at home, Dr Scott Miller is "Dad" to four children, two dogs, two cats, five chickens, a tortoise, a gecko and some goldfish for good measure – and he loves every minute.
Laughing, Scott admits he’s definitely part of a "pet family," and says animals help a lot in his household, especially for himself, and his son and daughter – all of whom have autism. "There’s certainly a huge benefit to having animals around us, because they’re very calming," says Scott. "An animal is often someone you can trust to read your moods, feelings and thoughts, especially if you tend to verbalise things in a different way. They can understand you on a very deep level.
"That’s the reason why I became a vet. As a child, way before I was diagnosed with autism, I struggled socially and realised the benefit of having animals around. They were so validating and supportive, and I wanted to give back to them by becoming a vet."
Scott is married to Zö Christien, and they have four children together – Summer, Quinn, Jackson and Riley. Scott was diagnosed with autism last year after noticing he had mannerisms similar to two of his children, who had already been diagnosed with the condition. He believes having a close relationship with animals can be hugely beneficial to people with autism.
Scott says he felt "supported by animals" growing up and wanted to give back to them (Patrick Straub)
Scott alongside Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)"My pets mean a huge amount to me,” says Scott. “They become part of your family. Sometimes I think they’re a little under-appreciated until maybe you lose them, or you’re thinking about it near the end of their lives. Animals weave their threads throughout periods of our lives. You look back and realise they’ve been there through so much.
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"Our cat has seen my wife and me get married, he’s seen all the kids be born, he’s seen all the trials and tribulations life can throw – and yet he’s still here to sit on my lap. It’s so intrinsic, having someone who has witnessed that period of time – someone so intimately related to you and your family, it’s impossible not to feel deeply for them.”
Scott, who is originally from Brisbane, Australia, has 25 years’ experience as a clinical veterinary surgeon. Alongside running three small animal practices in south-west London, he’s also the resident vet on ITV ’s This Morning.
The TV star shares his passion for pets with his small children (Natusan Cat Calendar)And Scott has been "thrilled" to recently introduce This Morning’s new furry friend, Buddy. "Buddy is a yellow labrador puppy who will work alongside a wonderful charity I support, Dogs For Autism," he says. "He’s being trained to be a therapy dog and will become a support for children and adults living with the condition. He’s getting a lot of socialisation at This Morning but, as well as being a part of our TV family, he’s very firmly on his strict training plan."
Scott reveals there’s one This Morning host in particular who is especially in love with Buddy. "I was a little concerned Cat Deeley was going to pop him in her handbag!” he says, laughing. “I had to pat her down before she left the studio. It’s lovely to see someone who clearly has an affinity with animals. I’m a big fan of Cat.
"Our This Morning family has been through a lot so some new puppy life is just lovely. The atmosphere in the studio goes up the minute Buddy is in the building." It seems Buddy’s presence in the studio also gives the presenters a chance to unwind, with Scott explaining, "When he comes in, he’s the star and everyone else can relax. Who wants to see our ugly mugs when you have a beautiful puppy?"
Scott is passionate about animal welfare, wildlife conservation and environmental causes, and is patron of International Animal Rescue, Street Paws and Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital – but, interestingly, he didn’t grow up around many animals.
Scott Miller a regular face on ITV's This Morning (Ken McKay/ITV/Rex Features/Shutterstock)"My family would travel a lot for trips and holidays so it was hard to have a dog,” he says. "We did end up rescuing a cat from a football ground when my dad was playing football there. I managed to convince him we should bring the cat home."
Ever the aspiring vet though, Scott says he was "always that child who would rescue everything in sight, whether it needed it or not. Any local injured birds – I even befriended the neighbour’s dog on the other side of the fence. I’d always want to bring things home and care for them.”
Now 48, his caring continues. Scott has recently returned from Ukraine, where he was providing voluntary veterinary care to animals caught up in the conflict, alongside charity Breaking The Chains. He pays careful attention to the world and how it affects animals. "South Korea has now banned dog farms and India has stopped dancing bears, so we’re moving in the right direction," he says. “We’re finally realising animals are individuals with souls and, to me, that’s beautiful.”
However, this year’s Crufts hit a nerve for Scott, who described it as “very disappointing” to see a French bulldog win the Utility group category. "It’s a step backwards, really," he says. "We need to breed animals that can breathe, which should come as standard. People are looking at the way a dog looks and not the way it functions. We’ve made them look a certain way and then, as a vet, I have to fix them after they’re born to allow them to be comfortable – just to simply breathe and exist.
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"A dog is supposed to look like a dog – snout and all. That organ is an absolute superpower for sniffing and smelling, yet we take it away as we deem that more attractive. It’s so ethically wrong."
Scott got his first TV break as a vet for the chickens on Big Brother and later went on to appear on Crufts, Blue Peter and The Paul O’Grady Show. You can also find him featured on the Bondi Vet channel on YouTube and he has published a book called Puppy Parenting.
However, it’s his new YouTube venture that he’s now most passionate about. Rescue Vet follows Scott in his endeavours to help a variety of animals in need. Financial pressures mean rescue centres are currently bursting at the seams. “They need a lot of support,” he says. “This channel showcases rescue animals and the wonderful, dedicated people who look after them.”
Before we let him go, we have to ask Scott one burning question – what’s harder work, children or animals? “Kids are so much harder,” he says, laughing. "The dogs don’t answer back." Visit Scott’s new YouTube channel at Rescue Vet.