Our Doctors
Dr. Jerry Espey took over Crain Veterinary Center in 1998. He graduated from the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine in 1971. Before Crain, he was in a mixed animal practice in northwest Missouri with his father for almost 30 years! Dr. Jerry has great compassion for every animal he sees and at 71 years old he still works full time, although he does enjoy fishing and spending time with his wife, grandchildren, and his 2 dogs Lucy and Twinkie on his days off!
Dr. Rob Espey joined his father at Crain Veterinary Center in 1998 after he graduated from the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine. He loves and cares for every animal he sees as if they were his own. When he's not caring for your fur babies he enjoys spending his time with his wife and two kids that he loves to watch rodeo!
Dr. Kyle Pellow is not only a veterinarian, but a marine biologist as well! He majored in marine biology as an undergraduate at the University of Miami before he went to the University of Missouri for Vet school! He's been on the team since 2002. Dr. Pellow sure loves taking care of your pets everyday, but he also loves to travel all over the country with his wife and two daughters who love acting!
Dr. Amanda Hawkins certainly loves what she does! She's been with us since 2006 and from surgery to appointments, she does it all! She also attended vet school at the University of Missouri! When she's not at work, you can usually find her hanging out with her adorable son or at a Mizzou game with her husband. Dr. Amanda is so passionate and caring towards every animal she sees and truly dedicates her time and effort for every patient.
Dr. Chelsie Bivens-Meinders is a new face here at Crain Veterinary Center! She graduated from the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine in May 2019. Although she now calls Missouri her home, she is originally from Illinois and attended college for her undergraduate in Kentucky at Murray State. Chelsie has special interests in surgery, client education, and loves to work with geriatric animals! In her free time you will probably catch her hanging out with her 3 dogs or riding scooters around with her husband!
Our Staff
Brianne Mays is our office manager and has been full-time with us since she graduated from the University of Missouri in 2016! She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Animal Science, and although she has only been full-time with us for a short time, she worked part time/volunteered with us since she was 9 years old! Here she is with her girl, Charlie!
Meet the receptionists! These are generally the smiling faces you see when you walk in the door. Julie, Lisa, and Emily are always here for you! From answering the phones and your questions, to making appointments. They're always happy to help!
Julie Nicholls (right) has been here since 2009 and loves to spend time with her husband, 2 sons, her dogs Libby and Ivy, and their coup of chickens!
Lisa Jones (middle) has worked here since 1999 and enjoys her free time with her husband, 3 kiddos and 3 dogs that keep her pretty busy!
Emily Hillson (left) has been with us since July 2018. When she's not working, she's taking care of her zoo at home with her 2 dogs, 2 cats, 3 chinchillas, and 2 horses!
Anna Wells has been with us since 2004 as a Registered Veterinary Technician! She received her degree through Maple Woods Community College in 1995. Anna loves taking care of your babies but when she's not at work you can usually find her on the back of a Harley! Here she is with her dogs, Beanie and Finn!
Kalie Hartman has been a Veterinary Technician here since 2013! Here is Kalie and her cat, Rajah! She loves taking care of your pets everyday!
Callie Scanlon has been with us since 2014 as a Veterinary Technician. She is very passionate with every animal she works with and loves them like her own! Here she is with her two-legged dog who she shares a friendship bracelet/collar with!
Mallory Fossett is a new technician here at Crain Veterinary Center! She is a natural when it comes to pet care and loves taking care of your fur babies everyday! Here she is with her pup, Marshall! Not pictured are all of her pigs she has at home!
Jasmin Bieghler has been a veterinary technician here since July 2018. Although she has only been a full-time technician here for a short time, she worked/volunteered with us for a long time when she was just a kid! Here she is with her dog, Snickers!
Zach Childress has been with us since 2016. He plays a huge role in the clinic, from Doggy Day Care to helping the techs and doctors! Zach loves working with animals and treats them all like his own! Here he is with his boy, Copper!
Jess Bishop joined the team in 2018! She loves working with your fur babies everyday whether it's in Doggy Day Care or helping out the techs and doctors! Here she is with her girl, Koda, who she brings in everyday to play with the other pups in Doggy Day Care!
Brooke McCoy joined the crew here in 2018! She is the primary caretaker of all your babies when they're boarding or having fun in Doggy Day Care! Here she is with her dogs Sarge, Lace, and Millie, who she brings in with her almost every day to play in Day Care with your fur babies! She truly loves and cares for every pet that comes in and takes such great care of them!
Bridget Wilson has been an assistant here with us since 2008! Here she is with Diva, the clinic dog, who she takes home with her most nights.