Dr Michael Paton is a University of Queensland graduate who worked in private veterinary practice, in Australia and the UK.  He gained an ANZCVS qualification in epidemiology and a PhD for work on chronic sheep disease. He is now retired.

He was Councillor and Treasurer of the ANZCVS and president of the Animal Welfare Chapter. He has been WA AVA President and AVAWE President.

He has been an AVA mentor since 2005 and assisted the development of the AVA’s National Mentoring Program and is on the AVA’s Veterinary Wellness Steering Group. He is a member of WSAVA’s Professional Wellness Committee.