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Doctors
Dr. Christi Belew
Dr. Austin Dicken
Dr. Allison Williams
Dr. Damon Locke
medical director
Dr. Christi Belew
After Dr. Dean Maxwell's retirement in August 2014 after serving midtown pet parents for 21 years (!), Dr. Belew became Medical Director and co-owner of Union Hill Animal Hospital.
Dr. Belew grew up in both St. Louis and Kansas City. A 2008 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia’s College of Veterinary Medicine, she was one of those odd ducks who knew from a young age she wanted to work with animals. She began volunteering in veterinary clinics in middle school, working up to employment as a veterinary assistant in high school and college.
After graduation, Dr. Belew returned to Kansas City and worked as an associate in the Northland for six years. During that time, she also worked with Kansas City Pet Project during their early years, learning the dynamics and critical importance of shelter medicine.​
When the opportunity came in 2014 to continue Dr. Maxwell’s legacy of providing veterinary care in the core of midtown Kansas City, Dr. Belew gladly accepted. With her business partner, Tom Feyerabend, Union Hill Animal Hospital has grown to a busy 4 doctor practice with expanded services, Fear Free handling techniques and a diverse, highly skilled team.​
Dr. Belew loves being a part of the Union Hill neighborhood and joined the Union Hill Neighborhood Association board as a business member from 2016 to 2019. An advocate for the importance of organized veterinary medicine to protect and further the veterinary profession, she served on the Executive Board of the Kansas City Veterinary Medical Association (KCVMA) from 2009 to 2014, culminating as President. She returned to the KCVMA in 2020 to be the Kansas City delegate for the Missouri Veterinary Medical Board (MVMA), serving at the state level. Dr. Belew and the UHAH team greatly value our community connections. We recognize that we have a responsibility to the next generation and have worked with area schools to provide shadowing opportunities for students interested in veterinary medicine. This includes POAC (People of All Color) Succeed and Guadalupe Centers. Dr. Belew has also recently been invited to teach business courses to the University of Missouri first- and second-year veterinary students, which has been extremely fun and rewarding! When not at the clinic or advocating for elevated veterinary care, Dr. Belew shares her home with Tali (an energetic, senior terrier mix), and cat overlords Bubby, Muffin, and Stevie.
Associate Doctors
Dr. Austin Dicken
Dr. Austin joined UHAH in May 2019. He is certified in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture via CuraCore (CSU) and is available for acupuncture, laser therapy and chronic pain management appointments. Outside of work, Dr. Austin enjoys getting outdoors to hike, bike or climb, home cooking, being tolerated by his cats and children and not having enough time to read a good book. He has interests in acupuncture, physical rehabilitation, internal medicine, feline medicine, dentistry, and surgery. He is passionate about reducing pain and anxiety in animals with chronic pain conditions.
Older animals, especially cats, often have a source of chronic pain or discomfort that is hidden from their very caring pet parents. Our pets instinctively hide any sign of pain as long as they can. There are some great non-invasive options with very few side effects available now for both cats and dogs. If you would like to learn more and have an in-depth conversation about possible chronic pain in your pet, please feel free to give us a call. Dr. Austin is Certified in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture (CSU), a member of MVMA (Missouri Vet Med Assoc) and KCVMA (Kansas City Vet Med Assoc), as well as AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners). He is also Fear Free Certified.
Dr. Allison Williams
Dr. Williams joined UHAH in December 2021. She graduated from Kansas State Veterinary School in 2014 and practiced in Texas a few years until moving back to Kansas City to be closer to family. Dr. Williams has a special interest in senior pet care, internal medicine, dentistry, backyard chicken flock management, and the connection between human and animal health.​
Some of her hobbies include playing polo with her horse Trigger, traveling to obscure locations with her husband, baking bread, drinking large amounts of coffee, chasing around her daughter Hadley and son Tripp and watching her goofy chickens.
Dr. Williams also shares her home with dogs Robi and Stella. She enjoys Saturdays at the Farmers Market or Fall at the American Royal. One year Dr. Williams went to each leg of the Triple Crown horse races. Most satisfying part of veterinary medicine is being able to give older pets relief from discomfort and more quality time with their families. Dr. Williams is Fear Free Certified, Vice President of KCVMA, a member of the MVMA Academy, a member of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association, Kansas Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Medical Association and Feline Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. DAMON LOCKE
Dr. Locke started UHAH in June 2022. He received his Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology from Truman State University in 2012 and went on to graduate with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Missouri in 2017. His medical interests include behavior, dermatology, dentistry, and nutrition. He really strives to make veterinary visits a more positive experience by using Fear Free® techniques and low stress handling. In exam rooms, he will take a calming approach to make your and your fur baby’s experience a pleasant one.
He lives with his wife Ashley, daughters Caroline and Lorelai, and twins, dog Sunny, two cats, and a bunny. His other interests include binge watching his favorite T.V. shows, caring for his bonsai trees, gardening, and singing. Dr. Locke is Fear Free Certified.