Nicole Van Israël graduated as a Doctor in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Ghent University in Belgium in 1991. Before specialising, Nicole spend 8 years in general practice in France, England and Switzerland and obtained 3 certificates (Ophthalmology from the National Veterinary School of Toulouse in France (CESOpht), Small Animal Medicine (CertSAM) and Veterinary Cardiology (CertVC) from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons of Great-Britain). After a 3-year residency in cardiorespiratory medicine at the University of Edinburgh she obtained in 2002, after examination, the European Diploma in Internal Medicine, subspecialty of Cardiology and the status of European Specialist™ in Veterinary Cardiology. This has been followed in 2003 by a Master in Science (MScR) by Research in Congenital Cardiology, also awarded by the University of Edinburgh. She was a lecturer in Internal Medicine (Cardiology) at Liège University in Belgium between 2002 and 2005. In 2004 she created a Consultancy in Small Animal CardioPulmonary Medicine (ACAPULCO) which offers a clinical referral–only service. ACAPULCO is located in Masta, next door to the famous F1 circuit of Spa-Francorchamps, and is still the only private referral-only cardiopulmonary consultancy in the Benelux. She is currently still director and consultant of this completely independent consultancy (www.acapulco-vet.be).