Gerhard qualified in South Africa from the University of Pretoria and awarded a BVSc degree, in 1984. He was accepted as a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgery in 1998. He has been focusing on veterinary dentistry and orofacial surgery for at least the last 20 years. He is a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery) since 2014. He is a diplomate of the European Veterinary Dental College, a EBVS® European Veterinary Specialist in Veterinary Dentistry and also a RCVS recognised Specialist in Veterinary Dentistry. Gerhard is a member of the British Veterinary Dental Association (BVDA), a member of the European Veterinary Dental Society (EVDS) and a member of the European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians (EAZWV). He travels internationally to teach and treat exotic and wild animals in captivity as a special interest.