Bruce graduated from the University of Edinburgh as BSc (Veterinary Pathology) in 1983 and BVM&S with Distinction in 1985. After working for three years in mixed veterinary practice in Buckinghamshire, he returned to Edinburgh as the Horserace Betting Levy Board Resident in Equine Respiratory Diseases, under the guidance of Professor Padraic Dixon. He was awarded a PhD in equine chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 1992, and has continued in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences ever since. He was awarded the Animal Health Trust Veterinary Achievement Award in 2004. Bruce is currently Head of the Equine Section at the University of Edinburgh which provides specialist veterinary care for horses referred by practising veterinarians throughout Scotland and Northern England. His research focuses on equine pulmonary disease and equine grass sickness. He teaches equine medicine to veterinary undergraduates and post-graduates.