Alison Shearer graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1988. She worked in general practice for 5 years, initially in a mixed practice, then moving to exclusively small-animal roles after 2 years. During this time, she developed an interest in dermatology and embarked on a training position as the Resident in Dermatology at the University of Bristol from 1993 to 1997. She gained the RCVS certificate in Small Animal Dermatology in 1994 and is an RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Small Animal Dermatology. She regularly attends BVDSG meetings and international dermatology meetings and has a wide breadth of interests within dermatology, focusing on the medical management of skin and ear disease in feline and canine patients.