Kira graduated from veterinary school at the University of California, Davis, USA in 2002 and went on to perform a Large Animal Internship at the Texas A&M University, USA followed by a Large Animal Surgery Residency (surgical specialisation) at University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center.  She became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2006. Following her residency she became faculty at the University of Georgia, USA and started the emergency and critical care service there while pursuing a fellowship to become a specialist in emergency and critical care. She became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in 2011. She has remained at the University of Georgia continuing to develop the emergency and critical care program as a professor and administrator.  Kira has published a variety of research and review articles in peer-reviewed veterinary journals and lectures regularly at national and international courses/conferences on emergency and surgery topics.