Following three years in small animal general practice, I joined the University of Bristol Veterinary School as a research fellow obtaining my PhD in pain assessment and alleviation and my RCVS Certificate in AWSEL. I spent three years at the University of Oxford as a Named Veterinary Surgeon and gained my RCVS Diploma in AWSEL and RCVS Certificate in Laboratory Animal Science. I joined the UK Home Department, which regulates animals in science and research in 2002. Here I gained my Certificate in Leadership and the ECAWBM Diploma in AWSEL and became an EBVS Specialist in AWSEL. it is my passion to improve the welfare of animals in whatever sector they are used by humans, but especially in science and research, focusing on education, compliance and personal responsibility of animal carrers and users.