John Hallett is a veterinarian and sculptor. He and his wife, Heidi, founded Hallett Veterinary Hospital in Oconomowoc in 1998 to provide high quality veterinary care to the Lake Country community. He has spent the last two years in Minneapolis completing his Master of Fine Arts degree at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. After a full veterinary career, John has decided to focus full time on sculpture. With art, he loves creating something that nobody else can create because the ideas are inside his head.
Transitioning from a veterinarian to a full-time sculptor is a journey that combines science with creativity and precision with imagination. The skills developed in veterinary medicine—such as attention to detail and an understanding of anatomy—translate seamlessly into the world of sculpture. The hands that once healed animals now shape art, turning years of experience into the creation of pieces that capture the essence of life in a new medium. This shift isn’t just a career change, but the realization of a lifelong passion, showing how creativity can flourish when one follows their true calling.
About John Hallett
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
We have two sons. Torrin lives in New York City, plays the French Horn with several symphonies and tutors math and SAT/ACT test prep remotely. Tanner lives in California and is an engineer for SpaceX.
Q: Please tell us about your life and what you do (whether working in our community, a business owner, volunteer, etc.). How did you choose that path?
In high school, I was very interested in science and art. I was able to combine those interests as a veterinarian focusing on working with my hands in surgery and dentistry. I also coach log rolling, a sport that I learned in Madison when I was in middle school.
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
As a veterinarian, I love helping people and helping animals. As an artist, I present and preserve feelings and concepts visually in unique ways. My bronze sculpture in front of the UW Madison School of Veterinary Medicine depicts animals helping people and people helping animals as they work through their veterinary school journey. I also love coaching young people in log rolling, helping them set goals, train and learn life skills through sport.
Q: What was the most difficult challenge in getting to where you are now or in your life?
Deciding to transition from a rewarding career as a veterinarian to a full time sculptor was extremely difficult. I have so many close relationships with patients, clients and coworkers that have developed over the years.
Q: What is the most rewarding part?
Seeing people react to my sculptures is very rewarding. Each piece might have a different meaning depending on the perspective of the viewer. I create the trophies and medals for the Lumberjack World Championships, Stihl Timbersports US Championships and the American Birkebeiner Ski Race. Seeing my art represent the top athletes in these amazing sports is incredible.
Q: What are some of your future goals? Do you have anything exciting coming up that you would like to share?
I will continue sculpting things that I am passionate about, including animals, trees and the environment. One goal is to create more public sculptures. Currently I’m working on a piece for Lapham Peak State Park. I have a sculpture at Monona Terrace in Madison until October and another in the Bemidji Sculpture Walk in Minnesota until May 2025.
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in doing something similar to what you have done/are doing?
For veterinary medicine, study hard and get practical experience. Explore the many opportunities that exist beyond clinical practice. We have veterinary school classmates who work in research, public health and education in addition to clinical practice. For art, explore and develop technical skills but understand that you are not in total control of the end product. I believe that an artist’s job is to interpret what they see and experience.
John Hallett & Our Community
Q: What is your favorite thing about our community, favorite thing to do, or something unique about our community that you love? (Feel free to share as much as you’d like!)
I love the lakes. Especially distance swimming, paddling and log rolling on them. There are so many ways to be active in our community and many people to be active with.
Q: Who is an interesting person you’ve met here in our community, and how have they inspired you?
There are too many wonderful people to single out one, especially those that mentor the youth of the community.
Q: Do you have a favorite coffee shop, cocktail shop, or restaurant?
I love Roots for their sandwiches, Golosi for their gelato and Whelan’s for the baked oatmeal!
Q: What 3 words would you use to describe our community?
Friendly, beautiful and welcoming.
For Fun
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I was on the UW Madison Rowing team in college. After winning two national championships, I narrowly missed representing the US in 1984, finishing second in the race that selected the lightweight four man boat.
Q: What is your favorite book, TV show, movie, poem, or song? Why?
I love the book “The Source” by James Michener, fascinating historical fiction about the development of several major religions in the Middle East.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My kids and the log rollers that I coach.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be with? Why?
Leonardo da Vinci who combined his love of science and art.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Ski the Norwegian Birkebeiner.
Q: What makes you the happiest?
I am the happiest when I am outdoors, creating something with my hands.
Q: Any general life advice you would like to share?
My favorite quote is by Calvin Coolidge: Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
Where to Find John Hallett
Email: dr.john@hallettvet.com
Nice To Meet You:
I believe in positively impacting my clients and the community I live in, which is why I jumped at the chance to be an ambassador with “The Faces of Lake Country”. It’s a perfect blend of why I enjoy being a Realtor with Shorewest, Realtors, and everything I love about living in Lake Country.
I truly enjoy being a part of this community and helping others along the way. Prior to real estate, I was an Office Supervisor for the City of Waukesha Park & Recreation Department. During this time, I had the opportunity to work with many business owners and serve the general public. It was there that I realized that it really does take a village to make a community great and each and every one of us plays an important role.
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