Rena was born in Las Vegas, Nevada and attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and Utah State University prior to completing her veterinary studies at Murdoch University in 2005. Following graduation, Rena completed a Preceptorship in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care at Murdoch Pet Emergency Centre, prior to working in country mixed animal practice. Rena has since acquired her memberships in Unusual Pets Medicine and Surgery and is one of the few handful of vets in WA to have achieved this qualification.
Rena has a keen interest in small animal medicine and surgery, and in particular exotic animals, and completed Membership examinations in Medicine and Surgery of Unusual Pets through the Australia and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in 2011 and Avian Health (Caged and Aviary Birds) in 2018, and has participated as both Assistant and Head Subject Examiner for the College since attaining qualification.
Rena has worked in private practice since 2006 as a small animal clinician, focused mainly on Unusual and Exotic animals, as well as having an interest in small farm health and general surgery.