Dr. Jody Thomas O’Brien attended Michigan State University where she received her B.S. degree in Zoology with a specialization in Neurobiology and Animal Behavior in 1998. After spending a few years as a zookeeper at the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, Michigan, she decided a career in veterinary medicine was her passion. She graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. 

Upon graduation, she moved to Seattle and began practicing veterinary medicine and surgery in a small animal practice in Federal Way. She has been at Animal Hospital of Newport Hills since 2010 and became the Medical Director in 2016. She looks also serves the veterinary community in the south Seattle area at Olympic View Animal Hospital. Outside of her time in veterinary medicine, she and her husband Justin are kept busy with their two active kids, a mixed breed dog Olive, two cats Otter and Pablo. When not taking care of her patients, she is usually watching her kids play soccer, traveling or doing anything outdoors in the mountains or on the water.