Raquel graduated in 2004 from the Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal. Raquel subsequently moved to the UK where she completed an internship in the Animal Health Trust followed by a residency at Glasgow University Veterinary School. She was awarded the European Diploma in Veterinary Neurology in 2010. She worked at the Willows Referral Centre, Solihull, and is currently at Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists.