Dr. Kristen O’Dell grew up in a small town in Missouri. She completed her undergraduate studies and veterinary degree at the University of Missouri in 2001. She completed a one-year rotating small animal internship at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital, a private specialty & emergency practice in Denver, Colorado. Following her internship, Dr. O’Dell practiced for one year as a small animal veterinarian in her hometown. That year solidified the fact that she should not treat diabetic patients or perform emergency surgery...or probably any surgery. She then completed a three-year residency and Master of Science degree in diagnostic imaging at the University of Illinois. Following her residency, Dr. O’Dell remained on staff at the University of Illinois as a professor of veterinary radiology before returning to Missouri in 2008 where she joined a group of mobile veterinary radiologists in the St. Louis area. She transitioned to staff radiologist with Veterinary Specialty Services in 2010.