Graduating from the University of Queensland in 1995, Deborah initially worked in a Brisbane southside small animal practice for one year, before moving to a 50% avian clinic on the north side of Brisbane. She remained there for 3 years, attaining membership of the ACVSc in Avian Health (Cage & Aviary Bird) in 1999.  In the next few years, she worked as a locum, an emergency veterinarian and in general practice.  In 2002 she moved to the United Kingdom, to enroll in a 3-year avian residency.  Deborah became a Diplomate of the European College of Zoological Medicine (Avian) and a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (Avian Medicine and Surgery) in 2006. In October 2006, she opened her practice in Brisbane, called Brisbane Bird and Exotics Veterinary Service, seeing exclusively avian and exotic pets. Since that time, the practice has grown to have 20 staff.  Her current interests are avian behaviour guinea pig dental disease and otitis media.