Veterinary degree (BVSc) conferred by the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria, South Africa in 1992. Registered as a Member of the College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS) in London, England in 1992.
Practiced at The Old Golf House Veterinary Group in Norfolk, England performing farm animal and equine ambulatory clinics and small animal clinical duties for the first year post graduation.
Completed a year of post graduate training at the Equine Unit of the Animal Health Trust, a referral, research center in Newmarket, Suffolk which is Patroned by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Thereafter returned to private practice to run a branch clinic at Park Veterinary Clinic in Essex, England.
Immigrated to the United States in 2000. Worked as a veterinary technician in Florida until completing her Doctor in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) licensing requirements. In 2001 passed the DVM Equivalency Certification Examination for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG), as well as the National Board Examination (NBE) and Clinical Competency Test (CCT) and the Florida State Veterinary Board licensing examinations.
Thereafter performed relief work for small animal practices in the Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and Fort Myers area of SW Florida before accepting a full time position with Kindness Animal Hospital in Cape Coral, FL.
In her spare time assisted Dr. Dan Wolf, DVM DACVO at his ophthalmology clinic location in Fort Myers weekly on an unpaid basis for two non-consecutive years.
Completed an Ophthalmology Internship with the Veterinary Ophthalmology Services in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2003 under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Brinkmann, DVM DACVO.
In 2004-5 completed an Ophthalmology Clerkship mentored by Dr’s. Christi Warren, DVM DACVO and Reuben Merideth, DVM DACVO at Eye Care for Animals in Tucson, AZ.
During 2004-5 also provided weekend overnight emergency medical and surgical services at Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center (SAVESC) in Tucson, AZ.
In 2005, completed the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologist (ACVO) credential requirements and enrolled in a Veterinary Ophthalmology residency program at Eye Care for Animals in Tucson, AZ.
In 2008, completed the 3 year comparative veterinary ophthalmology residency training program and sat and passed the ACVO Board Certification oral, written and practical surgical examinations.
In October 2008 granted membership into the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists as a Diplomate of the ACVO (DACVO).
Dr. Ashton continued to practice in Tucson, for 3 additional years seeing small animal, equine and avian ophthalmology referral cases. Performed pro-bono services for Tucson Wildlife Rehabilitation, Forever Wild, Reid Park Zoo and the Arizona Sonora-Desert Museum.
Dr. Ashton has participated and provided free ACVO Service Animal Eye Examinations annually since 2008 for registered service animals including Guide Dogs for the Blind, Assistance Dogs, Military, Law Enforcement, University Police and Border Patrol dogs, retired service dogs, Search And Rescue (SAR) Dogs, Veteran’s Service dogs and Delta Dogs.
In 2011 she moved to San Diego County. Initially employed as an Ophthalmologist at Eye Clinic for Animals, in Kearny Mesa, now known as VCA Animal Eye Clinic. Ophthalmology services were also provided at their former Escondido office.
In 2013 she consultant for California Veterinary Specialists (CVS). Later that year was employed to set up their Ophthalmology Department where she practiced until December 2014.
Dr. Ashton established Animal Eye Vet Inc. in January 2015. AEV moved into new purpose built facility in August 2018 located at 26023 Jefferson Ave, Suite E, Murrieta CA 92562 and provides referral services to Riverside, Sand Diego and Orange County and the Inland Empire.