Oliver gained his veterinary qualification from Glasgow University in 1997. After 8 years in general practice he undertook a residency in clinical pathology at TDDS Ltd under the supervision of Andy Torrance and augmented by externships at Cambridge and Purdue Universities, gaining his FRCPath and DipACVP. Over the last 19 years he has spent most of his time reporting cytology for a wide range of first opinion and referral clients, primarily in the UK. In the last two months he has started studying Veterinary Anatomic Pathology. Most of his spare time is spent bellringing.