Patterson-Kane was born in Hamilton, New Zealand and obtained a master's degree from University of Waikato.[1] She obtained a PhD in animal psychology from the Victoria University of Wellington in 1999.[1] She did postdoctoral research in animal science at Purdue University and studied sustainable livestock systems at Scottish Agricultural College. She was an assistant professor in psychology at Bradley University and Victoria University.[1] In 2007, she accepted position of animal welfare scientist for the American Veterinary Medical Association's Animal Welfare Division.[1]