Shirley graduated from Onderstepoort University in South Africa in 1996. After this she came to the UK and worked in first opinion practice for a number of years refining her veterinary skills. In 2003, Shirley embarked upon a Master of Sciences degree in clinical oncology at the University of Birmingham.

The following year Shirley commenced a formal training programme in veterinary medical oncology which she completed in March 2007. Shirley’s current field of particular interest in veterinary oncology is the use of radiotherapy in the management of canine spindle cell sarcomas; she is currently writing a thesis on the subject.

" The biology of life always inspires me and therefore I had to choose to divert my energies towards the thing that presents the greatest challenge to life and to quality of life; that is why I chose oncology. It is my constant endeavour to work towards the alleviation of suffering and the improvement of quality of life for my patients."

See also:
• Oncology Service