João Alves received his veterinary degree from the University of Lisbon, Portugal, in 2012 and has since worked at the Portuguese Gendarmerie with their police working dogs, focusing on sports medicine and rehabilitation, helping these animals to achieve their full potential.

He completed his PhD in 2021 from the University of Évora, Portugal, in intra-articular management modalities for osteoarthritis. In 2022, he became a Specialist in Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation).

In addition to osteoarthritis, he does research and is interested in working dog sports medicine, photobiomodulation therapy, and canine exercise. João has published dozens of papers and lectures frequently on these topics.