Patrick qualified from the University of Glasgow, Scotland in 1998 and after a spell in mixed general practice in North East Scotland undertook an Internship and Residency in Large Animal Surgery at University College Dublin, Ireland followed by a Lectureship in Large Animal Surgery at the same institution.  He became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2004. Following this Patrick worked as senior surgeon in the Large Animal Hospital at the University of Copenhagen Dublin before returning to The Weipers Centre Equine Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Scotland as Senior Lecturer in Equine Surgery. Patrick recently took on the post of Senior Lecturer in Equine Surgery at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh.