Pat was a pioneer in pet bird medicine, being the second person in Australia to become a registered specialist in the field. She established her clinic, Bird Vet Melbourne in 1981, sold it in 2015 and now works with fellow bird vet Dr Matt Gosbell at Greencross Vets, Springvale. She has a fascination with connections between birds, animals, nature and people and how these have influenced ‘big history’. She has kept birds most of her life, owns ‘Harewood’ a remarkable heritage property and, along with her vet degree, holds a PhD in Australian evolutionary history.