Joseph Gibson is a veterinary surgeon that Emmerdale Veterinary Surgery hired as a locum in April 2016 as Paddy Kirk and Rhona Goskirk, two of the three partners, were going to Germany for six months. The surgery's other partner, Vanessa Woodfield, and receptionist Pearl Ladderbanks interviewed Joseph. Pearl and Vanessa inquired about Joseph's love of taxidermy and how it fitted into his job as a vet. Joseph was offered the post after another candidate turned down the job. Later, Joseph called Pearl to say he found numerous negative comments on a local business review site. A few days later, Rhona called Joseph to say his services were no longer required as she wasn't going to Germany any longer.