Orla Doherty qualified as a veterinarian from University College Dublin in 1992 before completing a Master’s Degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare at the University of Edinburgh. In 1994 Orla set up the Animal Behaviour Clinic in Ireland, a veterinary referral behaviour clinic treating problem behaviours in horses, dogs and cats. Orla completed a PhD at the University of Limerick in 2016 on tack usage in horses, and an Australian Diploma in Equitation Science (completed in 2017). She has numerous peer reviewed publications in scientific journals, and provides expert opinion in legal cases regarding animal behaviour and welfare. Orla provides an Animal Behaviour and Welfare consultancy (to Dublin Zoo, 2016-2019 and Wild Ireland, 2022- present).

Orla lectures and gives workshops and clinics to veterinary surgeons, horse owners, riders and trainers and farm staff in Ireland and abroad. Orla is an Associate Lecturer at University College Dublin, and was Hon President of the International Society for Equitation Science from 2019-2021. Orla competed in showjumping, dressage and eventing and continues to ride when time permits.