Karrie became interested in working with wildlife while conducting field research and population studies with Ferruginous Hawks and Burrowing Owls during university summer breaks. Further summer employment within the wildlife rehabilitation and pathology programs at Calgary Zoo cemented her commitment to the study of wildlife health.

Shortly after graduating with the faculty gold medal in veterinary medicine from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, in Saskatoon, Karrie pursued a three year residency at the Metropolitan Toronto Zoo. This residency was completed in conjunction with a Doctor of Veterinary Science (doctoral level) Degree in Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine and Pathology at the Ontario Veterinary College. Completion of this degree lead to 16 months of employment in New Zealand as the manager of a charitable wildlife rehabilitation organisation that was contracted to provide preparedness and response to wildlife affected by spilled oil. 

After a 12 month period conducting locum zoo veterinary work and wildlife health surveillance contracts, Karrie moved to Sydney to undertake the position of veterinary pathologist for the Zoological Parks Board of NSW.  Following in the auspicious footsteps of Dr Bill Hartley, she now manages the Australian Registry of Wildlife Health in conjunction with providing a diagnostic pathology service for NSW Department of the Environment Climate Change and Water.