Dr Anne Ridler, BVSc, PhD, Dip.ECSRHM, grew up on a sheep and beef cattle farm in New Zealand and completed her veterinary degree at Massey University, New Zealand, in 1998. After graduation, she spent four years as lecturer in sheep and beef cattle medicine at Massey University, at the same time reading for a PhD in studies of Brucella ovis in deer and sheep. She also spent two years as an assistant in private veterinary practice in New Zealand, working with sheep, beef cattle and dairy cattle. She has spent the past five years working as lecturer in flock health medicine at the Royal Veterinary College, London. Her research experience includes investigation of infectious diseases of sheep, particularly brucellosis, leptospirosis, polyarthritis, blowfly strike and foot diseases, as well as captive bolt euthanasia of sheep. She also has an interest in efficient sheep production, parasitology and reproductive soundness of rams. She became a Diplomate of the ECSRHM in September 2009.