Heli graduated as a physiotherapist in January 2000 and did her Finnish specialization studies in Animal Physiotherapy in 2003, after which she has worked only with animal clients. She graduated as a Master of Science in Veterinary Physiotherapy from the Royal Veterinary College in 2012, and finalized her PhD in 2015. 13 years ago she started, and has since further developed, the physiotherapy department at the Helsinki University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, working with both, small animals and horses. She is also the consulting physiotherapist for two private equine clinics. She divides her time between clinical work and research, does international lecturing on animal physiotherapy, teaches at the Finnish Animal Physiotherapy specialization studies, and is also a honorary lecturer for the Liverpool University Master of Science in Veterinary Physiotherapy programme.