Bernadette Van Ryssen graduated from Ghent University in 1988. In 1996, she obtained her PhD with a thesis on “Arthroscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of osteochondrosis in dogs”.

For several years, she combined her work at the university with a part-time job in a private practice for small pets.

In 2000, she was appointed to a full-time position in the Department of Medical Imaging and Orthopaedics of Small Animals at Ghent University. In 2016, she became Professor of Small Animal Orthopaedics and was responsible for lecturing and training students.

From 2018 to 2022, she took on the role of Faculty Director of Studies to monitor the quality of education in all aspects. In 2021, she became a certified member of the European College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, where she is a member of the education committee. For personal reasons, she took a two-year sabbatical and worked part-time in a referral practice (Heelix).

She will return to the university in February 2026. She is the author of numerous publications, a lecturer at international arthroscopy courses and a regular speaker at international conferences.