Dr Harry Cooper gets bills wagging for Better Homes & Gardens

The veterinarian star of Better Homes and Gardens was on deck to check out Pelican Time, a new eco-friendly pelican educational experience which is staged by Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast at Pelican Plaza.

Alas, the pelicans were camera shy but it gave Dr Harry a chance to catch up with members of Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast to hear about their experiences and share his passion for the care and conservation of animals.

The group was formed 18 months ago and part of its work is an educational talk that provides visitors with the opportunity to experience seeing wild pelicans in their natural environment, while learning about pelicans from trained volunteers who have been rescuing and caring for them for more than 30 years.

Dr Harry is no stranger to the Central Coast, having grown up in Sydney and holidaying at Long Jetty as a kid.

"As a child, my family would holiday at Long Jetty," he said. "This visit is giving me a chance to reminisce.

"I learned to fish in Tuggerah Lakes. I had so much fun and being back here brings so many memories back to me - very happy ones."

Dr Harry was full of praise for the group's work and the lack of pelicans did not worry him.

"I did meet one very cranky one a little earlier," he said.

"But it's groups like this and their wonderful volunteers who help our wildlife and spread the word about conservation and preserve Australian fauna.

"They educate the public about what discarded fishing line and hooks can do to pelicans and other wildlife."

Dr Harry has been welcomed into the hearts and homes of Australian TV viewers for 40 years, his trusty tweed cap and weathered vet's bag opening as many doors as his cheeky grin.

The chance to help each new generation with their family pets and assorted animal challenges gives him just as much of a thrill today as it did when he scored his first program Talk To The Animals back in 1993.

His popular lifestyle program Harry's Practice ran for seven seasons from 1997 to 2003.

During his visit, he noted the number of children in the audience.

He said it was the Crosby, Stills and Nash song Teach the Children Well which gave him his career inspiration.

"Years ago, I made it my aim to reach out to children and to teach them a love and a respect and a sense of responsibility not only for their domestic animals, but also the wildlife which is rapidly disappearing off the planet," he said.

Dr Harry is an advocate for children growing up with animals and said it is a scientific fact that children who grow up with animals have higher self-confidence, can mix with people well and are far higher achievers.

"It is also a known fact that patting a dog can help reduce your blood pressure by 10 per cent. I can't understand people not wanting a pet."

Pelican Time with Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast takes place every Saturday, Sunday and public holidays (with the exception of Christmas) and every day during school holidays, at 3.30pm at Pelican Plaza, The Entrance.

Dr Harry's story will air on March 29 on Channel 7.

I'm a huge fan of Better Homes and Gardens, tuning in every Friday night and I've always loved Dr Harry, but there is one bigger fan: my miniature chocolate and tan dachshund Murphy, 2.

Murphy actually ignores the rest of the show but comes running the second he hears Dr Harry's voice and sits up like a meerkat (see video) glued to the screen.

During my wonderful chat with Dr Harry, I told him about Murphy and showed him a photo as proof. He was chuffed and said it's not the first time he's heard that but it was the first time photographic evidence was shown.

The film crew asked for video which I was able to get when the show returned after its Christmas break.

The video was used on the show's social media to say "even the pups are glad we're back".