After graduating from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Lisbon (Portugal) in 2003, Joel spent five years in general practice in Portugal where he developed a special interest in cardiology. He then moved to Italy completing an internship followed by a residency in cardiology in joint collaboration between Clinica Veterinaria Gran Sasso and the Queen's Veterinary School Hospital at Cambridge University. Joel became a European Veterinary Specialist in Small animal Cardiology in 2014. He has since been working in referral practice at North Downs Specialist Referrals and, since 2019, also dedicates part of his time working at the Queen's Veterinary School Hospital at Cambridge University. Joel has a particular interest in echocardiography and interventional treatment of congenital heart disease.