Gavin Beard was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. He attended the University of South Carolina, where he worked as a veterinary assistant at a veterinary clinic in Northeast Columbia. After graduating from USC with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, he attended Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. He graduated Cum Laude with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and then returned to Columbia to begin practicing. Gavin Beard lives in Columbia with his wife, as well as three dogs and two cats. Together they enjoy spending time with their fur children, and his hobbies include cooking, traveling, and modified cars [citation].