Esther has extensive experience in equine practice and a special interest in equine welfare, sports medicine, and rehabilitation. Esther graduated from the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science in 2012. In 2017 she established Shanaghan Veterinary Services which is Ireland’s first integrated veterinary referral service which includes veterinary acupuncture, veterinary chiropractic, equine dentistry, pain management, rehabilitation, performance optimisation and laser therapy. In 2021, Esther became the first vet in Ireland to become a Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner through the University of Tennessee. She is an experienced breeder and producer of Irish Sport/ Irish Draught Horses and has competed in various equestrian disciplines. She is passionate about improving the standards of equine welfare and regularly presents to stakeholders from the equine industry across Ireland. In 2021 she was appointed Honorary Lecturer at Queens University Belfast in Equine Welfare. Esther is an active researcher, peer-reviewer and co-supervisor for PhDs, Master's and Undergraduate research projects.

Esther is actively involved in representation both locally and internationally across key veterinary issues and currently holds roles as; Senior Vice President of the North of Ireland Veterinary Association, Senior Vice President of the British Veterinary Association Northern Ireland Branch, the equine expert on the College Advisory Group for the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development; Member of the DAERA Interim Equine Forum, UK Notifiable Equine Diseases Core Group Northern Ireland Representative and Ulster Farmers Union Rural Affairs Committee (and Women In Agriculture Sub-Committee). She is also the current chair of the British Veterinary Association Animals in Performance Sport Working Group.