Cathy graduated from the University of Sydney in 1991 where she then went on to complete an Equine Internship followed by a PhD in Equine Exercise Physiology. After 3 years working in predominantly equine practice in Australia, Cathy was appointed a Lecturer in Equine Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College, UK. She then worked as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland and Clinical Teacher at the University of Helsinki before being appointed as Director of Professional Studies at the University of Liverpool in 2008. Cathy holds the RCVS and European Diplomas in Equine Internal Medicine and is an RCVS Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine.

In 2013 Cathy was appointed to a personal chair at the University, and in 2014 she was appointed as the Head of the Equine Division of the Veterinary School.