Gib Benschoter, DVM and Owner

Dr. Gib Benschoter heads our medical team. He attended Shawnee Mission East and is a 1990 graduate of Kansas State University. After obtaining his degree, he practiced in Southern California. During that time, he served as Chief of Staff of a large 24 hour emergency hospital. When he returned home, he brought a special interest in dermatology, internal medicine, and surgery to Mission Road Animal Clinic. In addition, he feels client education is the foundation to providing quality health care for your pet. Dr. Benschoter and his wife have 4 boys (but now only one at home!) and a big yellow lab named Rocky. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, tennis, and travel.

Jenny Tate, DVM

Dr. Jenny Tate grew up in western Kansas. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame with degrees in English and French. Deciding to finally pursue her true passion, working with animals and the people who love them, Dr. Tate graduated from Colorado State University in 2000, and has been practicing in the KC area ever since. She and her husband have two kids and two dogs Delilah and Tanner. In her free time, Dr. Tate enjoys reading and is an avid runner.

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Erin Whitacre, DVM

Dr. Whitacre is a 2007 graduate of Kansas State University. Upon graduation, she moved to Texas to practice, returning to the KC area in 2012 working in General Practice as well as Emergency Medicine. When not in-clinic, Dr. Whitacre enjoys fitness and wellness in her personal life including running, yoga, cooking, and gardening. She shares her home with Cinna the Australian Shepherd, Zane the Lab mix, and Grifter, the Bengal kitty.

Melissa, Practice Manager

Melissa joined us in February 2005 with 10 years of experience in the veterinary field and a special interest in dentistry. She grew up in Prairie Village, and graduated from the UMKC conservatory of Music in 2002. With her husband and two busy daughters, there's not a lot of free time, but when there is, Melissa sings in a band and loves to cook and bake! She and her family share their home with Walter, the Miniature Australian Shepherd and Scarlett, the Standard Poodle.

Jess, Office Manager

Jess was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV where she found her love for the Veterinary industry. She moved to the midwest in 2010, and she and her husband share their home with their 5 kids, 4 kitties; Panda, Yuki, Bobbi and Hammy, Lilo the lab and Pip the rabbit. Jess loves to travel, and while not in clinic, she stays busy leading Girl Scout Troops, crafting for her side business, and cheering on her kiddos from the sidelines.

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Julia, Lead Veterinary Technician

Julia was 15 years old when her passion for animals grew while working a farm in Gardner, KS. Since then, she has worked in a clinic setting in 3 different animal hospitals honing her skills. She came to Mission Road in October of 2017, and looks forward to coming into work every day. In her free time, she likes to hang out with her two daughters, and their 3 fur-kids. 

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Tori, Veterinary Technician

Tori joins Mission Road after graduating with her technician's license. We are pleased to have Tori on board both in back and up front. When not at Mission Road, Tori assists a veterinary chiropractor and spends time with her rescue dogs Dugan, Luna, and Stark and 5 cats; Mizdow, Pepper, Athena, Poseidon, and Carmelo.

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Gina, Veterinary Technician

Gina comes to us with a degree from KSU in Veterinary Sciences. Married to Heath since 1998, they have one son and share their home with Rose the dog and Smokie the cat. When not caring for your pets, Gina loves rooting on the Royals and the Chiefs and spending time with her family, both 2 and 4-legged!

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Amy, Receptionist

Amy came to Mission Road in 2013, after managing a large-volume boarding facility North of the river. She decided to turn to the medical side of animal care, and couldn’t be happier to be here! From Poplar Bluff, MO, Amy loves to practice yoga and calligraphy, and goes home every night to her pom mix, Buckley and orange tabby, Nacho.

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Natalie, Veterinary Assistant

Natalie moved from Lawrence to join our Mission Road family.  She obtained her bachelor's degree in Art History at KU, but decided to pursue her love for animals.  When not working, Natalie loves to read, paint and spend time with her rabbits, Milo and Willow and her cat, Bopper.

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Emily McLeod, DC, CAC, MTAA

Animals have always been part of Dr. McLeod's life.  She's rescued too many strays to count, has always cared for furry friends, and has a heart to help those who can't always help themselves.  Now she has the joy of helping restore health to your best friends. 

A graduate of Cleveland Chiropractic College in 2000, Dr. McLeod earned both the Clinic Service and Clinic Excellence awards while completing her clinicals.  She opened a family wellness center in 2001 and joyfully served hundreds of people each week with chiropractic care.  In 2004 Dr. McLeod returned to school to earn her National Certification in Equine and Small Animal Chiropractic Care through the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association.  

In June of 2013, Dr. McLeod left her 2-legged practice to pursue a full time animal practice.  She can be found working at our hospital on Wednesday’s and some Monday’s.  Dr. McLeod is licensed in both Kansas and Missouri. Dr. McLeod also teaches animal chiropractic to veterinarians and chiropractors at Parker University in Dallas, TX. 

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Andrea DeLuke, DVM

Dr. Andrea DeLuke is our MOVES™ veterinary surgery partner, available to perform advanced soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries at Mission Road Animal Clinic. Dr. DeLuke earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ross University in 2004 and later completed a small animal surgery residency at Mission MedVet in Mission, KS.