Our paths to veterinary medicine started on opposite sides of the country but eventually brought us together in Las Vegas, where we met while practicing about 10 years ago. Today, we’re raising our two children and practicing together at Jefferson City Animal Hospital in the community where Dr. Allen grew up.
Dr. Allen was born and raised in Jefferson City and graduated from Jefferson City High School in 2008. He originally planned to become a physician because he wanted to help people but quickly realized he couldn’t handle the sight of human blood. Fortunately, animal blood was different. Veterinary medicine allowed him to combine his interests in medicine and surgery with his desire to help people care for the animals they love.
Dr. Prado grew up in Orange County, California, and has always been curious about science and the role animals play in our lives. She studied animal science and spent five years as a veterinary technician, along with a year in a veterinary diagnostic lab, before attending veterinary school. As a small animal veterinarian, she gets to combine three things that come naturally to her: science, caring for animals, and connecting with people.
General practice suits both of us because no two days are the same. Dr. Prado values caring for pets throughout their lives, from first puppy and kitten visits to helping families through difficult end-of-life decisions. For Dr. Allen, the variety of general practice has allowed him to pursue additional training in areas like orthopedic surgery and emergency medicine, expanding the care he can provide for his patients.
About five years into his career, Dr. Allen joined the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center as an ER clinical instructor. The experience reignited his passion for the profession and teaching, and he continues to work there part time today.
Education is central to how we practice. We want families to understand not only what we recommend, but why. Open communication helps us work together to find the best path forward. We also enjoy teaching, from mentoring new graduates to hosting veterinary students and undergraduates.
We couldn’t provide the care we do without our associates and support staff. Everyone plays an important role in caring for our patients and their families. Even on difficult days, the wins remind us why we love what we do, whether it’s watching a fracture heal, seeing a patient recover after surgery, or helping a family understand what their pet needs. Those moments make this profession incredibly rewarding.