Dr. Hayes graduated from Bristol University in 1998 and entered mixed practice in Carmarthen, Wales, before obtaining her RCVS small animal surgery certificate and pursuing an internship in Alberta, Canada.

After a period working as an ER doctor she completed a residency in small animal emergency in critical care, a PhD in Epidemiology, and a residency in small animal surgery at the Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Ontario. She then went on to work at a private practice in Pennsylvania.

Her professional interests include study design and data modeling, disease scoring and error analysis, and minimally invasive surgical techniques. She is the author of several book chapters and over 20 peer reviewed publications. She is married with two children, and enjoys fly-fishing and gardening in her spare time.

Dr. Hayes is an American College of Veterinary Surgeons Diplomate, as well as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care.