Dr. JESSICA GARDNER
Dr. Gardner was born in Terre Haute, Indiana and moved with her family to the Kansas City area at a young age, where she grew up in Lawson, Missouri. Coming from a family of human medical professionals, she developed an early love for science, medicine, and healing. Growing up on a small hobby farm and participating in 4-H helped cultivate her passion for animals, and she knew from a young age that she wanted to become a doctor. It was not until she began working in a veterinary clinic during high school that she realized veterinary medicine perfectly combined her interests in medicine and animals, solidifying her career path.
Dr. Gardner earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Missouri in 2006, followed by her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Missouri in 2010. While in college and veterinary school, she was actively involved in the Pre-Veterinary Medicine Club and the MU Pre-Veterinary Medicine Scholars Program. She also volunteered at Cedar Creek Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center, participated in the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association, served as a student ambassador for Hill’s Pet Nutrition, and continued working as a veterinary assistant on weekends and school breaks.
Dr. Gardner is a member of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the Kansas City Veterinary Medical Association. She previously served as Vice President in 2023 and President in 2024 of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association Academy, an organization dedicated to advancing veterinary science, technology, medical practices, practice management, and professional development for the benefit of veterinarians and the public they serve.
As a general practitioner, Dr. Gardner enjoys building long-lasting relationships with her patients and their families and considers it an honor to watch her patients grow throughout their lives. Her professional interests include surgery ranging from routine procedures to more advanced surgeries and dental care. She is comfortable treating dogs, cats, pocket pets, rabbits, and select exotic species.
Outside of work, Dr. Gardner stays busy supporting her three children and their activities. She and her husband have a 15-year-old son, a 14-year-old daughter, and a 9-year-old daughter, all of whom are active in sports including football, wrestling, and competitive cheerleading. In her free time, Dr. Gardner enjoys traveling, hiking, boating, and spending time together as a family at the Lake of the Ozarks. She also enjoys home renovation and interior design projects, a hobby inspired by remodeling her family’s older home.
Dr. Gardner shares her home with two well-loved dogs, Tuffy, a 7-year-old terrier mix, and Tallulah, a 5-year-old Chihuahua.
