Jim  graduated from Kansas State University in 1973. Then worked in private equine and food animal practices in Texas, California, and Kansas for 5 years after graduation. Most of this time in private practice was spent working in feedyards in Western Kansas.

Afterards hecompleted a master's degree and a residency in large animal surgery at Texas A&M University in 1980. He is a member of the faculty at Texas A&M University until 1997. Since then he has worked at the University of London, Auburn University, the University College Dublin, and the University of Tennessee, where we has been a member of the faculty of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Science since 2003.

He is also a member of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. His main research interests are equine respiratory and reproductive surgery and lameness.