He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1995 in Russia, and did a residency in dentistry and oral surgery at the University of Pennsylvania from 2006 to 2009. His clinical interests include endodontics and exotic mammal dentistry. He has worked in private practice, including in St. Petersburg, Russia, has been a volunteer veterinarian, and became a diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College in 2010.