Dr. Hettlich is originally from Germany and obtained her veterinary degree from the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, Germany in 1999. Immediately after graduation, she moved to Texas, USA, to pursue advanced training in small animal surgery. She completed 2 years of internship in the Small Animal Clinic of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences of Texas A&M University, followed by a 3 year residency in small animal surgery. Upon completion of her residency, she remained at Texas A&M as a Clinical Assistant Professor in small animal surgery with an emphasis on neurosurgery. She became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2006.

In 2008, Dr. Hettlich moved to Columbus, Ohio and joined the College of Veterinary Medicine of The Ohio State University as an Assistant Professor in small animal orthopedic surgeon. There she built her research in spinal biomechanics and became Associate Professor with tenure in 2014.

In 2015, she moved back to Europe and joined the Vetsuisse Faculty at the University of Bern, Switzerland. While still having an emphasis on small animal orthopedics and neurosurgery, she is now performing soft tissue surgery as well. In 2018, she obtained the degree of habilitation and became tenured again at the University of Bern.

Since completing her residency in 2004, Dr. Hettlich has been increasingly involved in teaching of veterinary students and providing continuing education for veterinarians, veterinary technicians and fellow specialists. She continues to perform research and publishes in the area of canine spine as well as small animal orthopedics.